Overview

This page provides a description of the Oil Rig scenario used to support the SSP workshop. Be aware that this is a fictitious and hugely simplified scenario, developed solely for the SSP workshops. Participants may wish to review this information during the SSP workshops to support their participation in the workshops.

Oil SSTS Scenario Description

Overview of requirement

To help rebuild a national state, the UK Government has decided the country should be supported in extracting their oil resources to provide an income and stability. Unusually the Frontline Command was asked to take responsibility for this action and has tasked DE&S to help design and develop the oil rig.

Overview of the Oil Rig (key components)

The layout of the Oil Rig is provided in the drawings below (Note: each square on the drawings represents a 5m x 5m square on the oil rig.)

Each area of the Oil Rig is colour coded, to group common elements, and described in more detail below.

  • Yellow – High risk areas
  • Grey – The drilling rig
  • Blue – General facilities
  • Red – The Oil SSTS
  • Green – Safety related facilities

Drilling Derrick (grey)

  • Used to drill wells and designed to support the drilling apparatus.
  • Tall enough to allow for additional sections of drill pipe to be added.
  • The pipe contains a pressurised mixture (<20bar) of water, gas, oil, and sludge.

Flare Boom (yellow)

  • Permits the safe burning of gas that can’t be collected safely during the extraction of oil from an offshore rig.

Control Systems (blue)

  • A manned module that contains the control systems for all elements of the oil rig, including the Oil SSTS, the fire protection and detection, PA, External Rig, communications, helicopter operations, tanker & re-supply operations etc.
  • Able to monitor and control equipment on the oil rig.
  • Provides status reports, alarms, current process and historic data.

Incinerator (yellow)

  • Incinerates all combustible waste materials generated on the oil rig.
  • Supplied by the diesel tank to support early stages of combustion.
  • Only operated for 12 hours every 4 days.

Communication Tower (blue)

  • The communication tower supports a high power satellite communication system, which is the only means to provide over the horizon communication.

Fire Protection Module (green)

  • This module contains the diesel power fire pumps, CO2 cylinders, foam tanks, pressurised freshwater tanks, and other support equipment.
  • Contains the fire detection control panels, where fire detection is provided throughout the platform.
  • Fixed fire protection is provided for high risk areas accept for the Flare Tower and Helideck.

Maintenance Area (blue)

  • This segregated area is open to the atmosphere and is used to undertake heavy maintenance of items on the oil rig. Activities in this area include, welding, grinding, soldering, sand-blasting, painting, etc.

Muster Station (green)

  • To enclosed area for personnel to assemble in the event of an emergency.
  • The muster station has a capacity of 150 personnel.

Oil Separation, Storage and Transfer System (SSTS) (red)

  • This system receives oil from the well head and provides the means to filter the oil (removing gas and impurities), before storage and eventual transfer to a tanker. The Oil SSTS comprises of the following components:
  1. Oil Extraction Point – receives the mixture from the drilling rig.
  2. Control System:
    • Controls and monitors valve positions.
    • Receives pressure, flow and temperature information from the inline sensors.
    • Turns pumps on and off, and monitors operating state.
    • Receives signals from the metering system.
  3. Water / Hydrocarbon Separator – processes the oil by removing:
    • Gas, which is to be released via a flame tower.
    • Water sent for water conditioning (not part of the Oil SSTS), and.
    • Sludge (solids).
  4. Storage Tanks – Temporary storage of the processed oil, whilst waiting for a tanker.
  5. Storage Tank valve assembly – directs processed oil to either the Storage Tank or the tanker.
  6. Oil Pump – Pumps processed oil to the tanker.
  7. Metering Unit – Measures the quality and quantity of the oil whilst being pumped to the tanker.
  8. Oil Transfer Point – Provides the connection point between the tanker and the Oil SSTS.

The following Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) for the Oil SSTS indicates how the system is configured.

Lifeboat Stations (green)

  • Lifeboats kept/deployed in case of emergency.
  • Each lifeboat has a capacity of 80 personnel.
  • The lifeboats are designed to free-fall from heights up to 30m, and are type approved against the IMO Life Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

Accommodation Module (blue)

  • Dormitories/living quarters for 80 oil rig crew, with space capacity for additional 40 personnel (embarked forces).
  • Fitted with an automatic fresh water sprinkler system.

Diesel Generator and Diesel Tanks (yellow)

  • Provides a high voltage supply to the oil rig.
  • Includes LV/HV transformers to provide a domestic 440v supply.
  • Power is also generated by solar arrays and wind turbines.
  • Diesel tank contains 8000m3 of diesel.

Equipment Response Module (green)

  • Contains the emergency response equipment, including medical equipment, fire air firefighting, breathing apparatus, aviation crash rescue equipment, etc.

Helideck (yellow)

  • Single spot landing area for a helicopter.
  • Can be used for replenishment and for embarkation / disembarkation of crew.
  • Includes a small tank for helicopter refueling (aviation fuel).

Oil SSTS Specifics

The Oil SSTS receives hydrocarbons direct from the well head into a separator which acts to remove Gas, which is to be released via a flame tower, water, which is sent for further processing to enable use on the rig and sediment which settles out. The processed oil then passes to storage tanks or can be supplied direct to a tanker should one be waiting. Valves and a pump are used to direct flow to / from the storage capability. Metering of oil is used from storage to the tanker to provide indication of quantity passed to tanker.

This Oil SSTS shall:

  • Meet the requirements of DSA01
  • Have the capability to store separated oil between tanker transfers, complying with the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations.
  • Be able to operate in all weather conditions prevalent in the region.
  • Be able to readily isolate the well and oil transfer system within 10 seconds.
  • Be able to receive crude oil from the extraction point of the rig, at pressures up to 20bar.
  • The system shall have the means to be operated continuously.
  • Be able to accurately meter for quality and quantity the transfer of oil to the tanker.
  • Comply with HSE Legislation.
  • The number of personnel to operate the system shall be minimised.
  • Be capable of separating out water, solid particles and gas from the crude oil.
  • Pump oil to the Tanker Loading Point at a rate of 300 litres per minute.
  • Comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.
  • The Oil Rig will be fitted with a fire detection and alarm system in all modules and on the open deck.

Design level user requirements for the Oil SSTS include:

  • Capability shall provide for extraction of crude oil from provided hydrocarbons (from well head).
  • Capability shall provide for storage of crude oil.
  • Capability shall provide for transfer of crude oil to tanker.
  • Capability shall provide measurement of oil quantity and quality pumped to the tanker.
  • Capability shall provide for continuous operations.
  • Capability should require minimum personnel to operate.

Previous Incidents

  • Piper Alpha-167 casualties-Gas leak which led to explosion due to unfinished routine maintenance and lack of communication between crew.
  • Alexander L Kielland-123 casualties-Platform turned upside down and became submerged when a bracing on one of the five legs failed.
  • BP Deepwater Horizon-11 casualties-A sudden rush of natural gas burst through the concrete core of the well causing the rig to explode