Introduction
MAR Consulting facilitated and documented a Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) for a major operator, of a hydraulic and pneumatic control system in a topside drilling Blow-Out Preventer (BOP). The FMECA was part of the initiative to re-start drilling in a field in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The BOP OEM updated the BOP with a shear boost upgrade, PLC upgrade, auxiliary readback pressure panels, and Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) flowline function addition.
Objective
In addition to the failure analysis, the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) used the FMECA outcome to comply with functional safety rules and regulations for BOPs in the NCS.
Scope of the FMECA of topside BOP
The scope of work was the BOP and control system, including all critical components for proper BOP functionality, such as:
- Function initiators (pushbuttons in control panels);
- Power, communication, and logic devices essential to perform a BOP function;
- Hydraulic supply, accumulators, and regulators;
- Solenoid valves, drilling valves, check vavles, and additional equipment required for actuation of the final element;
- Final elements, such as rams, annular, etc.…
Excluded from the scope of work:
- Non-critical systems and components, such as indication lamps, pressure transmitters/switches, etc.;
- Diverter system;
- Auxiliary systems, such as UPS, HPU pumps, instrument air supply, etc. (top-level assessment only).
Method
An FMECA is an inductive (forward logic) single point of failure analysis based on IEC 60812, which helps to identify potential failure modes based on experience with similar products and processes or based on common physics of failure logic. Effects analysis refers to studying the consequences of those failures on different system levels.
An FMECA is hence a systematic procedure for the analysis of a system to identify the potential failure modes, their causes, and effects on system performance (performance of the immediate assembly and the entire system or a process). The FMECA is a multidisciplinary workshop with participants from relevant disciplines.
To ensure a structured examination, the system is divided into their basic components based on their functionality in the BOP stack.
Recording of the FMECA was done in the worksheets delivered in the final report to the client.
Conclusion
MAR Consulting built on the extensive experience facilitating FMECAs for BOP control systems. The analysis had the unexpected merit to bring a better understanding of the BOP and control system to some of the participants, given the depth and detail during the 3-day workshop.
Other examples of similar experiences: FMECA of blow-out preventer hydraulic system · MAR Consulting; FMECA electrical and control systems in subsea BOP · MAR Consulting; FMEA of electrical and control systems in subsea BOP · MAR Consulting; FMECA of redundant subsea BOP deadman-autoshear · MAR Consulting.
Please consult us if you need expert support with regards to BOP control systems (hydraulic, pneumatic, electric), FMECAs, and functional safety-related activities.