Raising the National Average for Asset Integrity Management in the Energy Sector of a Small Island Developing State

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rudder ◽  
Amanda Kissoon ◽  
Indira Rampaul-Cheddie

Abstract In 2015 and 2016, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) undertook a National Facilities Audit (NFA) to augment the periodic audit exercises of the Ministry. This Audit was the first of its kind conducted in Trinidad and Tobago and involved upstream, midstream and downstream energy sector companies. Some companies scored highly in the Audit, some were average and others below average. This paper will provide guidance to operators who scored below the average so that they can make the necessary adjustments to improve their Asset Integrity scores to above average and beyond in future. The selected consultant who performed the NFA developed a standardized audit protocol to audit all the companies. The MEEI set up a Steering Committee to oversee the execution and delivery of the audit to ensure it was conducted within the project's objectives. The consultant and MEEI representatives conducted joint audits, which involved document reviews, interviews and site visits. A Systems and Equipment Audit was conducted followed by a site visit. The project lasted 9 months, a total of 30 audits were conducted during the period, and a report prepared and presented to the MEEI by the consulta nts with the findings and recommendations. Scores were assigned to various categories in both the System and Equipment Audits, which contributed to a System score and Equipment score. From these two scores, an overall score was determined. The audit found that Asset Integrity Management (AIM) systems showed a wide variation across the industry, international companies were typically more advanced with AIM than domestic companies, the state-owned companies had the lowest scores and Joint Venture companies generally had the highest scores. Generally, many companies did poorly in the audit due to lack of proper documented internal procedures with respect to Asset Integrity. Companies that did well had well-documented procedures for process safety management. The paper will show the benefit of conducting a nationwide Asset Integrity Audit that can inspire other countries to consider doing likewise and thus encourage improved Asset Integrity Management in the global energy sector. The paper will go into the details of the audit so that in future companies would be more prepared for a similar type of audit, and who show significant improvements with their scores.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Ferrario ◽  
Salvatore Grimaldi

Abstract Capitalization of lessons learned on Asset Integrity Management during Front End Loading phases of a green field Project Development, by defining plan for implementation of a diagnostic digital tool for reducing downtime and introduce predictive maintenance during Operation. Eni developed a platform of Digital applications for enhanced Operations management by implementing an Integrated Asset Management (IAM) system. Advanced Analytics tool is part of it and is designed for monitoring, foreseeing and preventing production upsets and anomalies; the tool is set up by verification of areas of interest and criticalities, with identification of main equipment data sets and by the implementation and validation of predictive models. Starting from historical data, data scientists supported by experts develop algorithms capable of finding interdependencies between a set of input variables and an output variable (phenomenon to be predicted/monitored), thus detecting anomalies and criticalities. Main areas of benefit are envisaged on Production continuity, capable of predicting problems on static and rotating equipment and giving information on the most impacting variables on the incipient problems. The tool will support technicians to help them preventing failures and out-of-specs events which may cause loss of production or asset integrity issues, with the activation of predictive maintenance and the aim to strive a continuous monitoring and improvement of plant operational performances. An Energy Efficiency predictive model will also be set up, capable of forecasting the future energy performances of the asset through the prediction of the Stationary Combustion of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission index (t CO2/kbbl) and providing the list of the main influencing equipment and variables. The plan for implementation of the tool from the Early phases of development help the organization on prioritizing the implementation of Digital tools as part of the execution and realization of the Asset to be delivered to the Operational personnel, by easing the transition and avoiding subsequent retrofitting carrying brownfield works and additional costs. The implementation of Advanced Analytics tool has been embedded in a new green field initiative of a Development Project since Front End Loading phases, thus fostering digital implementation and minimizing deployment costs by including those as part of the Investment Proposal presented to Joint Venture Partners and Authorities.


Author(s):  
Marek Rolinec ◽  
Karol Balog

Abstract In order to manage the Construction Safety in a professional and due manner, it is of the key importance to have in place an Occupational Health and Safety Management System, consisting, similarly as a house project, of correct foundations as preparation, planning, procurement, properly set up rules and contractual relations, especially if a site of approx. 5,000 daily manpower is of a concern. Pillars of safe construction follow, i.e. education and training, inspections, communication and, last but not least, human behaviour. The purpose of the following article is to introduce the Human Behaviour Improvement Tools applied in the NPP Mochovce, completion process of Units 3&4, focusing on the implementation and the observance of the OH&S rules.


Author(s):  
O.L. Krivanek ◽  
J. TaftØ

It is well known that a standing electron wavefield can be set up in a crystal such that its intensity peaks at the atomic sites or between the sites or in the case of more complex crystal, at one or another type of a site. The effect is usually referred to as channelling but this term is not entirely appropriate; by analogy with the more established particle channelling, electrons would have to be described as channelling either through the channels or through the channel walls, depending on the diffraction conditions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Nicholas Burke ◽  
Abdallah Mohd AR Al Tamimi ◽  
Wael Salem Al Shouly ◽  
Mohamed Ali Jaber ◽  
David Erik Baetsen

Abstract Industry-wide, the degradation and corrosion of steel infrastructure and the associated maintenance to prevent or mitigate this, poses a heavy environmental and operational burden across many industry segments. To address these challenges, ADNOC Group Technology, led by our Non-Metallic Steering Committee and ADNOC Upstream, in partnership with several selected specialist product companies, is deploying a range of innovative solutions as pilot trials within a holistic R&D program – which is aiming to transform our production and processing facilities, with a close focus on integrity management – and specifically we are assessing the deployment of non-metallic pipelines, storage and process vessels as well as downhole tubing and casing. Focusing specifically on flowlines and pipelines - traditional steel pipes used in the oil patch are burdensome to store, transport and install, as well as susceptible to degradation, corrosion-driven wall loss in challenging operational environments, such as those found Onshore and Offshore Abu Dhabi. This vulnerability results in increased operating risks as facilities mature, adding cost and time for inspection, maintenance and eventually - replacements that will lead to production deferrals or interruptions. A range of non-metallic pipeline technologies are being assessed and piloted in this program, including stand-alone extruded polymeric pipe and liners, Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP) used Onshore and Offshore, specialized non-metallic flexible pipelines for Offshore including Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) and downhole tubulars. The methodology involves placing segments of RTP into live pipeline systems for a finite duration of operation – usually one year – and then removing sections to assess any degradation in performance, or capability of the RTP during that time. These test results will be the subject of a further publication at the end of this trial period. In this paper, we will focus on RTP piloting Onshore and specifically mention a unique trial in an ultra-sour gas field, where the technology has already delivered the required performance: safely transporting gas with levels of H2S up to 10% by volume. This trial also proves that specifically engineered non-metallic products may be successfully operated at the high temperature and high pressure (HPHT) levels that are characteristic of our reservoirs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Swindell ◽  
Danielle Stephens

Abstract The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been participating with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Industry Steering Committee (AISC) to develop a methodology for calculating the Probability of Detection (POD) for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) for damage detection on commercial aviation. Two POD methodologies were developed: one by Dr. William Meeker, Iowa State University, and the other by Dennis Roach, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). With Dr. Seth Kessler, Metis Design Corp, a test program of 24 samples of aluminum strips to be fatigued on MTS machines was developed. The samples were designed to meet the ASTM E647. Twelve samples had two SHM modalities on the front and back from Metis (PZT and carbon nanotubes), and the other twelve had SHM sensors from Structural Monitoring Systems (SMS) (comparative vacuum monitoring – CVM) and Acellent Technologies (PZT). The tests were performed at the FAA William J Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. The samples were cycled every 1500 cycles and then stopped for SHM data collection. Once the crack exceeded 0.125 inches and provided for a minimum of 15 inspections, a new sample was tested until all 12 samples were completed. The data was provided to each company to be set up in the format needed to run through the POD methodologies. Then the data was provided to Dr. Meeker and Dr. Roach for analysis. This paper will provide the results of those tests.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Steinke ◽  
TWA Braukmann ◽  
L Manerus ◽  
A Woodhouse ◽  
V Elbrecht

AbstractThe Malaise trap has gained popularity for assessing diverse terrestrial arthropod communities because it collects large samples with modest effort. A number of factors that influence collection efficiency, placement being one of them. For instance, when designing larger biotic surveys using arrays of Malaise traps we need to know the optimal distance between individual traps that maximises observable species richness and community composition. We examined the influence of spacing between Malaise traps by metabarcoding samples from two field experiments at a site in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. For one experiment, we used two trap pairs deployed at weekly increasing distance (3m increments from 3 to 27 m). The second experiment involved a total of 10 traps set up in a row at 3m distance intervals for three consecutive weeks.Results show that community similarity of samples decreases over distance between traps. The amount of species shared between trap pairs shows drops considerably at about 15m trap-to-trap distance. This change can be observed across all major taxonomic groups and for two different habitat types (grassland and forest). Large numbers of OTUs found only once within samples cause rather large dissimilarity between distance pairs even at close proximity. This could be caused by a large number of transient species from adjacent habitat which arrive at the trap through passive transport, as well as capture of rare taxa, which end up in different traps by chance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-135
Author(s):  
Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster

The states of the CARICOM and OECS Caribbean are small island developing states (SIDS) which are exceedingly vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks. Examples of vulnerability are the economic cost of a heavy reliance on imported oil & gas resources, and the pernicious effects of climate change. A key strategy to mitigate these vulnerabilities is to invest in renewables, increase resilience, and effect an energy transition for the Region. However, research and data on renewable energy and resilience in the region is still evolving. Further, it has become apparent from stakeholder fora such as CREF and IRAC that there are certain fundamental elements which need to be understood and addressed before the Region can achieve a just energy transition. The first is a clear understanding of what resilience means for the Region's renewable energy sector. The second relates to financing options which incorporate elements of resilience into renewable energy projects. Thirdly, in the rebuilding from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recognised that reimagining full gender equality in the energy sector will be key to sustainable and competitive development. This Article explores the recent developments to re-imaging the route to resilience and renewables in the CARICOM & OECS Caribbean through collaborative efforts at the regional level. It also sets out the next steps in these three fundamental areas and outlines the role for future research to support these regional initiatives.


Significant waste but edible biomass and fuel that can be utilized as raw materials are available locally. With internal efficiencies of recycling of nutrients in an integrated farming system and appropriate technologies, such waste can be optimized for the production of livestock feed and potting soil. These items are pivotal to the productivity and efficiency of sustainable farming. Once the initial set up cost can be laid out, the operation can be self-propelled to larger scales with economic benefits at the farm level as well as at the national level. There has been the argument that livestock feed requires large acreages under grain production which is not feasible in small economies of scale and in the context of small island developing states. The paradox is that there is high cost to produce waste which is not utilized and is a loss to the enterprise.


2021 ◽  
pp. 73-112
Author(s):  
Robert Schütze

This chapter examines the internal composition, internal powers, and internal procedures of the European Parliament, the European Council, and the Council of Ministers. It begins by looking at the role of the separation-of-powers principle in the European Union. Unlike the US Constitution, the EU Treaties do not discuss each institution within the context of one governmental function. Instead, each institution has ‘its’ article in the Treaty on European Union, whose first section then describes the combination of governmental functions in which it partakes. The European Treaties have thus ‘set up a system for distributing powers among different [Union] institutions’. And it is this conception of the separation-of-powers principle that informs Article 13(2) TEU. The provision is thus known as the principle of interinstitutional balance.


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