Challenges in applying AS 2885 to aging oil and gas pipelines
Jeff JonesProject Delivery Assurance
The APPEA Journal 56(1) 137-142 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ15011
Published: 2016
Abstract
Oil and gas transmission pipelines in Australia are licensed under state-based pipeline acts and regulations, or a safety case regime for offshore pipelines. Both approaches deal with requirements for the design, construction and operation of a pipeline.
A core requirement of a licensee’s pipeline management system—as required by AS 2885.3 (Operation and Maintenance)— is to maintain a live view of the failure threats to a pipeline. AS 2885 also requires licensees to undertake a regular review of the pipeline safety management study (SMS), to examine the effectiveness of existing threat controls, and to ensure existing and any new threats to the pipeline are being managed to ALARP using the prescribed risk assessment process and societal risk appetite defined in AS 2885.1.
The SMS review is complemented with a similar periodic review of the location class of the pipeline route, often challenged by ever-changing urban development and encroachment. The location class determines design requirements for pipeline wall thickness, external interference protection measures, depth of cover, fracture control, isolation valve spacing and field signage, and is often difficult to comply with or retrofit to existing operational pipelines. Retrospective requirements also require assessment of highconsequence areas for no-rupture and maximum energy discharge rates.
This paper explores the application of the SMS process and the challenges faced by licensees of ageing existing onshore pipelines in complying with AS 2885, and illustrates an array of pragmatic lessons, and the approach taken by the author—in the SMS facilitator role—in assisting licensees to undertake SMS and location class reviews.
Jeff Jones is Director of Project Delivery Assurance, an independent consulting company specialising in risk management and assurance processes, particularly in the oil and gas, mining and infrastructure sectors. Since 2005, Project Delivery Assurance has provided extensive project and operational risk management services to a variety of client and contracting organisations, including the landmark $19 billion Santos GLNG mega-project, from concept through to implementation. Work for other oil and gas majors has included BG-QGC, Shell, and Saudi Aramco. Jeff combines his sound technical knowledge and broad operating experience with risk management expertise to provide AS 2885 audits and SMS risk assessments for owners and operators of Australian petroleum pipelines including APA Group, Caltex, EIM, Origin, Shell Aviation, and Viva Energy. His career started in Esso Australia’s upstream production department, and Jeff has been involved in the oil and gas industry since the late 1980s. Jeff’s career has spanned operational and project development roles as a projects, facilities and construction engineer—which has included involvement in offshore and onshore pipeline construction—and operations as a Senior Project Manager for a major international contracting company. Jeff is a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ), a qualified Lead Auditor in Quality Management Systems, and a Certified Practicing Risk Manager. Member: SPE, APGA (Australian Pipelines and Gas Association), PMI (Project Management Institute), RMIA (Risk Management Institution of Australasia), and Engineers Australia’s Risk Engineering Society. jeff.jones@optusnet.com.au |
