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should be designed with an understand- asset integrity, taking into account the offshore operations for the long term. ing of the complete brownfeld environ- operations, life extension, and decom- The UK-HSE states that KP4 is not ment. At the heart of the SIM system is missioning phases of the asset life cycle. simply about how old an asset is, but engineering competence. Thus, a SIM system should be in place about how it is ageing and what is from the cradle-to-grave of an asset. known about that process.

A robust SIM system is designed to Figure 1 shows a simple “bath tub”

Ageing assets

Driven by the UK Health and Safety ensure: curve, which illustrates that, as aging n

Executive (HSE), Key Program 4 (KP4) Safety of those working offshore mechanisms—corrosion, erosion, accu- n is the next stage in the HSE’s aging and Continued production mulated damage—take effect, there n life extension inspection program. This Protection of the environment is an inevitable increase in the likely n means operator’s assets are regularly Legislative compliance hood of failures occurring. n subject to scrutiny by independent Industry best practice. KP4 has focused operators to take safety inspectors to ensure standards An integrated SIM system accounts responsibility for managing the risks are maintained according to UK regula- for the development of inspection associated with asset integrity and life tions. The program, which was due strategies, work scopes, inspection extension projects through the use of to run until September 2013, has the results reviews, and the maintenance SIM systems. Operators are also keen potential to impact the way operators of inspection record databases. It also to increase the value of their assets, manage the structural integrity of their makes for easier identifcation and and a robust SIM system is seen as a assets globally. management of defect assessments and part of achieving this. If this approach

On average, more than 30% of nearly the development of repair solutions for to structural integrity management was 7000 platforms in operation around the both topsides and subsea structures. adopted globally, there is an oppor- world have been in operation for more Change management is required tunity to transfer SIM best practice than 20 years. In the North Sea, more when modifcations are made to an from the North Sea to operating assets than 50% of assets fall into this cat- installation, normally involving changes around the world. in the physical and operational param- egory. With so many operating beyond eters of the asset. These modifcations their original design life, and yet more

Life extension discoveries being made, operators are As assets age, trends show decreasing under pressure to extend the life of revenues and increased operational their offshore assets without compro- costs. Life extension projects and the mising asset integrity, reliability, pro- implementation of an appropriate SIM ductivity, and more importantly, safety. system can counter these trends and

KP4 is designed to stimulate a common increase the value and viability of an industry approach to managing age- asset, Fig.2. ing installations that will ensure safe For example, asset value may be increased by enhanced oil recovery or

Fig. 1. – This ”bath tub” curve tie-back projects, both of which would of aging assets shows an inevitable increase in the rely heavily on structural analysis occurrence of failures.

to demonstrate additional capacity from the existing structure. Likewise,

Corrosion, erosion elements of operational expenditure wear and tear

Design issues fabrication defects could be optimized; such as subsea inspections targeted on critical compo-

Failures nents, if the behavior of the structure

Steady state and its risk profle is understood.

Time

Demonstrating the structural integ- rity of aging assets is of paramount

Fig. 2. – Life extension projects importance when considering life and the implementation of a SIM system can counter extension. In Norway, an application decreasing revenues and increasing operational costs.

for life extension is a formal require-

Revenue

Reduce unplanned ment, and in the UK, a safety case must shutdown be reviewed when installation design life has been exceeded.

Robust SIM

The effects of the Deepwater Horizon $ & efficient tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico led to inspection an announcement by the Bureau of

Ocean Energy Management, Regulation

Life extension & added value

Cost and Enforcement that all operations and drilling facilities on the outer

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