Case Study – Cumulative Risk Assessment

The Project

Salus Technical was approached by a client who operates several normally unmanned installations. Following an increased backlog in safety-critical maintenance amid the pandemic, the client had scheduled a walk-to-work barge to liquidate the overdue work in six months but required frequent personnel visits via helicopter to maintain and repair safety-critical equipment before then.

The task was to balance the risk between helicopter transport and deferring key maintenance, while ensuring the installations remained safe for the walk-to-work vessel’s arrival.

The Challenge

This operation posed a complex problem requiring expert balancing of safety, operational efficiency, and maintenance prioritisation. The deferral of key maintenance tasks presented significant potential risks, but so did the frequent transportation of personnel to the asset via helicopter. Also, the installations needed to be left in a safe state for the forthcoming walk-to-work vessel.

The Solution

Leveraging our past experiences and roles as Principal Engineers, and Technical Authorities, we dived deep into the existing maintenance backlog, conducted meetings with subject matter experts and Technical Authorities, and developed a prioritisation plan for the work. This involved numerous areas, including hydrocarbon containment, structures, fire and gas detection, and wells.

We collaborated with the project teams to understand the equipment needed for the safe arrival of the walk-to-work vessel. Using this information, we crafted a cumulative risk assessment that proposed which maintenance tasks could be deferred while reducing the risks to offshore personnel to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).

The Result

Our comprehensive cumulative risk assessment proved instrumental in the client’s strategic decision-making, setting them up for a successful walk-to-work campaign. By identifying which tasks could be safely deferred, we reduced the need for risky helicopter transportation of personnel, thereby ensuring the safety of the crew and installations. Our expertise in this area provided crucial guidance, allowing the client to maintain safety standards while managing the backlog of maintenance tasks efficiently.