Extended Subsequent Applications Review ("ESAR")

Extended Subsequent Applications Review (ESAR) in Oil & Gas: Navigating Program Transitions and Changes

In the complex and dynamic world of oil and gas, projects often evolve, requiring adjustments to their execution and operational environment. This can involve shifts in contractor conditions, transitions between development phases, or substantial modifications to existing systems. To ensure ongoing compliance and safety, the oil and gas industry utilizes the Extended Subsequent Applications Review (ESAR) process.

What is an ESAR?

An ESAR is a formal review conducted in lieu of a full C/SCSC (Critical Safety & Security Control System) demonstration review. It's triggered by significant changes that impact the program's safety and security, such as:

Program Phase Transitions: Moving from research and development into production, or from one stage of development to another.
Contractor Facility Changes: Relocating a program to a new facility, involving different infrastructure and procedures.
Significant C/SCSC System Modifications: Major changes to the design, implementation, or documentation of safety and security systems.

Benefits of an ESAR:

Efficiency: ESARs offer a more streamlined approach compared to full C/SCSC demonstrations, saving time and resources.
Targeted Evaluation: By focusing on the specific changes, ESARs ensure that the review process remains efficient and effective.
Continuous Improvement: ESARs provide an opportunity to identify potential weaknesses and implement corrective actions, enhancing safety and security protocols.
Compliance Verification: They help verify that the program continues to meet regulatory requirements, even after significant changes.

The ESAR Process:

The ESAR process typically involves the following steps:

Triggering Event: Identifying the specific change that necessitates an ESAR.
Documentation Review: Thoroughly examining documentation related to the changes, including design documents, operating procedures, and safety analyses.
Assessment: Evaluating the impact of the changes on the C/SCSC system and determining if they introduce any new risks.
Corrective Action Plan: Developing a plan to address any identified risks or non-compliance issues.
Implementation and Verification: Implementing the corrective actions and verifying their effectiveness.
Documentation: Updating relevant documentation to reflect the changes and the results of the ESAR.

Conclusion:

The ESAR process is a critical tool for ensuring ongoing safety and compliance in the oil and gas industry. It provides a structured approach for managing program changes, minimizing risks, and maintaining a robust safety and security framework. By effectively utilizing ESARs, stakeholders can navigate evolving project landscapes while maintaining a high level of safety and operational integrity.

Test Your Knowledge

ESAR Quiz:

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does ESAR stand for?

a) Extended Safety and Risk Assessment b) Extended Subsequent Applications Review c) Enhanced Security and Risk Analysis d) Enhanced Safety and Regulation Assessment

Answer

b) Extended Subsequent Applications Review

2. Which of the following scenarios would *NOTtypically trigger an ESAR?*

a) A new contractor takes over a project. b) A major upgrade is implemented to the safety control system. c) The project moves from the research phase into production. d) A minor change to an operating procedure is made.

Answer

d) A minor change to an operating procedure is made.

3. What is the primary benefit of conducting an ESAR?

a) It eliminates the need for any further safety reviews. b) It provides a thorough evaluation of the project's overall safety. c) It offers a more efficient way to manage changes compared to a full C/SCSC review. d) It guarantees the complete elimination of safety risks.

Answer

c) It offers a more efficient way to manage changes compared to a full C/SCSC review.

4. Which of the following is *NOTa typical step in the ESAR process?*

a) Identifying the change that necessitates the review. b) Reviewing relevant documentation. c) Conducting a full-scale simulation of the project's safety systems. d) Developing a corrective action plan for identified risks.

Answer

c) Conducting a full-scale simulation of the project's safety systems.

5. What is the main purpose of the ESAR process?

a) To ensure that safety protocols are implemented at the start of a project. b) To conduct a comprehensive review of the project's overall safety before it begins. c) To ensure ongoing safety and compliance throughout the project's lifecycle, even after significant changes. d) To prevent any potential risks or hazards from ever occurring.

Answer

c) To ensure ongoing safety and compliance throughout the project's lifecycle, even after significant changes.

ESAR Exercise:

Scenario:

An oil and gas company has completed the research and development phase of a new exploration project and is now transitioning to the production phase. This transition involves moving the project to a new facility with a different operating environment and utilizing a new contractor.

Task:

Identify the key changes that necessitate an ESAR in this scenario.
List the essential documentation that needs to be reviewed as part of the ESAR process.
Develop a potential corrective action plan if any risks or non-compliance issues are identified during the ESAR assessment.

Exercise Correction

1. Key Changes:

Facility Transition: Moving to a new facility with potentially different infrastructure, procedures, and safety protocols.
Contractor Change: Involving a new contractor with their own working practices and safety standards.
Phase Transition: Moving from research and development to production, which often involves changes in operational processes and safety requirements.

2. Essential Documentation:

New Facility's Safety Procedures and Risk Assessments: These documents should be reviewed to understand the specific safety protocols in place for the new facility.
New Contractor's Safety Management System: Understanding the new contractor's safety procedures, training programs, and safety performance data.
Project's Original Safety Analysis and Design Documents: To compare with the new facility's requirements and ensure continuity of safety practices.
Updated Safety Analysis and Risk Assessments: Conducting a new assessment considering the new facility and contractor, ensuring they meet the project's requirements.

3. Potential Corrective Action Plan:

This would depend on the specific risks identified during the ESAR assessment. However, some general examples could include:

Additional Training: For new contractors and facility personnel to familiarize them with the project's specific safety protocols.
Modifications to Safety Systems: Adjusting safety systems or equipment based on the new facility and contractor's capabilities.
Development of New Procedures: Creating new operating procedures that address specific safety risks or differences between the old and new facilities.
Implementation of Monitoring Systems: Establishing robust monitoring systems to track safety performance and identify potential issues early on.

Books

Safety Management Systems in the Oil & Gas Industry: This book may cover principles of ongoing safety assessment and review, which could relate to ESAR concepts. Search for "safety management systems oil and gas" in online book retailers.
Risk Management in the Oil & Gas Industry: Risk assessments are often used in conjunction with safety reviews. Search for "risk management oil and gas" in online book retailers.
Engineering for Safety in Oil & Gas Operations: This book might address the practical implementation of safety procedures, potentially including review processes for changes. Search for "engineering for safety oil and gas" in online book retailers.

Articles

Search for "safety review processes oil and gas," "change management oil and gas," and "safety auditing oil and gas": Look for articles discussing safety procedures and change management within oil and gas companies.
Check industry journals: Search for relevant articles in publications such as:
- Oil & Gas Journal
- SPE Journal
- Journal of Petroleum Technology
- World Oil
- Energy Technology

Online Resources

Government Agency Websites: Websites of agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) might provide information on regulations and safety standards for the oil and gas industry.
Professional Organizations: Websites of industry associations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) may have publications, guidelines, or best practices related to safety management.
Industry Reports: Search for reports from consulting firms and research organizations focusing on safety and risk management in oil and gas.

Search Tips

Use specific keywords: Combine "oil and gas" with terms like "safety review," "change management," "risk assessment," "compliance," and "auditing."
Use quotation marks: Enclose specific phrases in quotes to ensure exact matches, e.g., "safety review process oil and gas."
Combine search terms: Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your search results, e.g., "oil and gas" AND "change management" AND "safety."
Explore related searches: Use Google's "related searches" feature at the bottom of the search results page to discover relevant terms and websites.

Techniques

Extended Subsequent Applications Review (ESAR) in Oil & Gas: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide expands on the Extended Subsequent Applications Review (ESAR) process within the oil and gas industry, breaking down the key aspects into distinct chapters.

Chapter 1: Techniques

The ESAR process relies on several key techniques to ensure thoroughness and efficiency. These include:

Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP): HAZOP is a systematic technique used to identify potential hazards and operability problems in a system. During an ESAR, HAZOP can be applied to the changed aspects of the program to identify any new or exacerbated risks introduced by the modification. The focus is on deviations from the original design intent.
Fault Tree Analysis (FTA): FTA is a deductive reasoning technique used to analyze the causes of a specific undesirable event (e.g., a safety incident). In an ESAR, FTA can be employed to assess the likelihood and consequences of potential failures within the modified system, allowing for a quantitative risk assessment.
What-if Analysis: A more qualitative approach, what-if analysis involves brainstorming potential scenarios and their consequences. This is particularly useful for identifying unforeseen risks that may not be readily apparent through other techniques. It’s especially helpful when dealing with complex interdependencies.
Checklist Reviews: Structured checklists can ensure that all critical aspects of the changed system are reviewed. Checklists should be tailored to the specific changes and the relevant regulatory requirements. This helps maintain consistency and reduces the chance of overlooking important details.
Peer Reviews: Involving independent experts to review the assessment and proposed corrective actions helps ensure objectivity and identify potential blind spots.

The selection of techniques depends on the nature and scope of the changes involved in the ESAR. A combination of techniques is often most effective.

Chapter 2: Models

While not strictly "models" in the mathematical sense, the ESAR process utilizes frameworks to guide the review. These can include:

Risk Matrix: A risk matrix is used to categorize risks based on their likelihood and severity. This helps prioritize the corrective actions needed to address the most critical risks identified during the ESAR.
Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Assessment: For safety-critical systems, the SIL assessment helps determine the required level of safety performance. Changes within an ESAR must be assessed to ensure continued compliance with the required SIL.
Workflow Diagrams: Visual representation of the processes and systems affected by the changes. This aids in understanding the interdependencies and potential cascading effects of failures.

These models provide a structured approach to evaluating the impacts of changes and ensuring that the overall safety and security of the program remain robust.

Chapter 3: Software

Various software tools can support the ESAR process:

HAZOP Software: Specialized software tools facilitate the HAZOP process by providing structured guidance and documentation capabilities.
FTA Software: Software for FTA helps construct and analyze fault trees, providing quantitative risk assessment data.
Risk Management Software: Software platforms for risk management can integrate various risk assessment techniques, facilitating the overall ESAR process and providing a centralized repository for documentation.
Document Management Systems: Robust document management systems are crucial for maintaining versions of the updated documentation throughout the ESAR process.

Chapter 4: Best Practices

Effective ESAR implementation relies on adherence to best practices:

Clearly Defined Triggering Events: Establish clear criteria for when an ESAR is required to prevent unnecessary reviews or overlooking significant changes.
Documented Process: A well-defined and documented ESAR process ensures consistency and traceability.
Competent Review Team: The review team must possess the necessary expertise and experience to thoroughly assess the changes.
Independent Verification: Independent verification of the corrective actions ensures that they are effective and implemented correctly.
Proactive Approach: Proactive identification of potential changes and planning for ESARs can minimize disruptions and delays.
Regular Training: Regular training for personnel involved in the ESAR process ensures that they are up-to-date on the latest techniques and best practices.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly review the ESAR process itself to identify areas for improvement and enhance its effectiveness.

Chapter 5: Case Studies

(This chapter would require specific examples of ESARs conducted within the oil and gas industry. Due to the confidential nature of such projects, hypothetical examples would be necessary. Below are outlines for two such hypothetical case studies)

Case Study 1: Program Phase Transition

This case study would detail an ESAR triggered by the transition of an offshore oil platform from the construction phase to the operational phase. The review would focus on changes in operational procedures, emergency response plans, and the integration of safety systems. The outcome would demonstrate how the ESAR ensured the safe and compliant operation of the platform.

Case Study 2: Significant System Modification

This case study would involve an ESAR triggered by a major upgrade to the platform's process control system. The review would analyze the impact of the upgrade on safety integrity, the cybersecurity implications, and the effectiveness of operator training programs. It would showcase the successful identification and mitigation of potential risks associated with the system modification. The case study would emphasize the use of specific techniques and software tools to achieve this.