Evolving accident scenario modelling in complex processing facilities

T Baalisampang
2019
Offshore oil and gas production and processing facilities are prone to incidents such as leakage which may escalate thus causing major accidents. These accidents pose a serious threat to personnel and assets. Previously, accident modelling has relied on studying a single event and its impact. It has been witnessed from past events that accidents are caused by combinations of events and therefore, accident modelling must consider multiple sequences of events and interdependent factors. The
more » ... ng Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) is a complex processing facility where a leakage of liquified natural gas (LNG) may escalate to a range of events such as fire to vapor cloud explosion. The escalation of events is dependent on the multiple intertwined factors evolving with time and space. This study is focussed on developing novel methodologies and models to study the transitional events and their causation during a major event in complex LNG processing facilities. This thesis outlined an extensive literature review and analysis of offshore and marine safety from the perspective of fire and/or explosion accidents. It analysed various causes of fire and/or explosion accidents and proposed a series of countermeasures with respect to different causes. The impact of the cryogenic temperature of LNG on steel structure during its accidental leakage has not been extensively studied. This study modelled an LNG pool formation and the impact of cryogenic temperature on a structural material during an accidental release of LNG. The study confirmed that an instantaneous LNG pool formation does cause immediate failure, however, this may significantly minimise design life of the structure and due attention is needed throughout its service life particularly in the spilled area. Literature review showed that minor leaks occur frequently, and they are often overlooked assuming that they are inconsequential. However, in the case of LNG, it can be too simple to ignore small leak due to the potentiality of causing suitable scenario for fire an [...]
doi:10.25959/100.00031432 fatcat:6s7ga2cym5d3tka25zs42waf2i