Energy | AkerBP Skarv

Alarm system upgrade: Enhancing compliance and operational efficiency

Init reduces alarm overload and optimises system performance, ensuring regulatory compliance and safer operations.

The AkerBP Skarv platform required a major overhaul of its alarm system to meet governing regulations and create a safer, more efficient work environment for operators. With a system overwhelmed by alarms, Init was entrusted with delivering a comprehensive solution that would reduce alarm overload, enhance operational safety, and ensure compliance with performance requirements.

 

Aspiration

Improving alarm management to meet regulatory and operational requirements

The existing alarm system at AkerBP Skarv was struggling to meet the performance requirements set forth in the client’s governing documents. Deviations observed by the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) indicated that immediate action was needed to ensure compliance. AkerBP sought to improve the work environment by reducing the number of alarms and creating a more manageable system for operators to ensure the platform operated safely and efficiently.

Solution

Targeted alarm optimization and systemic upgrades

Init conducted a comprehensive upgrade of the AkerBP Skarv alarm system, focusing on reducing alarm volume, optimizing performance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The key tasks and responsibilities included:

 

  • Alarm rationalization: Managed approximately 42,000 alarms, identifying and removing redundant or unnecessary alarms to streamline the system.
  • Maintenance warning segregation: Introduced a new system object to segregate maintenance warnings on gas detectors, allowing operators to better manage and prioritize essential alerts.
  • Elimination of non-critical alarms: Removed alarms associated with future wells, ensuring that only relevant and timely alarms were presented to operators.
  • HMI reference corrections: Rectified 497 Human-Machine Interface (HMI) references to ensure that all alarms were correctly displayed with proper object associations, enhancing operator understanding and response capabilities.
  • Dynamic alarm handling: Implemented advanced dynamic handling techniques to minimize the rush of alarms during critical emergency shutdown (ESD) scenarios, helping operators respond more effectively under pressure.
  • System text and priority revisions: Updated 6,000 system alarm texts and modified their priority levels, ensuring that high-priority alarms stood out and received immediate operator attention.

Result

Enhanced safety and compliance with reduced alarm overload

Init’s efforts resulted in a safer, more efficient alarm system at AkerBP Skarv. By rationalising and optimising the alarm system, the project reduced unnecessary alarms and improved operator focus during critical events.

 

The system now meets performance requirements, ensuring compliance with governing regulations while significantly improving the work environment.

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