2009 |
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P2900s |
New projects will be posted shortly. |
2008 |
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P2813 |
DEMAND MODEL
CLIENT:
ATCO DATE: 2008
DESCRIPTION: A preliminary design for the demand model from gas
storage caverns in northern Alberta was developed. The model is
to utilize the results of a statistical analysis of the volume
flows correlated with ambient temperatures at roughly 80 gate or
supply stations. Its purpose is to be able to predict the likely
gas demand from the cavern for predicted user population under
very cold winter temperatures. The project consisted of the
review of previous work, data analysis, and a preliminary model
design. |
P2809 |
MOLIKPAQ HAZEER
CLIENT: Sakhalin Energy
Investment Corporation (SEIC)
DATE: 2008--
DESCRIPTION: As Sakhalin Energy Investment Corporation (SEIC)
requested to provide an on-site EER hazard evaluation analysis
at the Molikpaq, which is part of the Sakahin II development.
The work under this project, to date, has consisted of review of
data, preliminary assessment of the existing EER system, and the
development of logistics for the conduct of the HAZEER. Due to
administrative reasons, the project has not proceeded further in
2008. |
P2805 |
ICETECH 2008 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION WRAP UP
CLIENT: n/a DATE: July 20-23, 2008 ( see also P2615)
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Bercha chaired the Organizing Committee for
ICETECH 2008. The conference positively exceeded expectations
with over 175 delegates attending, full sponsor and exhibitor
subscription, over 50 technical papers presented, and an
exciting social and accompanying persons program. The technical
program, the events, the setting, and the attendees made it a
very enjoyable and technically sound event! The technical
program each day began with two plenary papers, including: the
changing
Arctic;
evolution of offshore safety regulations and practices; naval
architecture developments for the
Arctic; escape, evacuation, and rescue (EER); and
current major offshore Arctic projects and developments.
Workshops on EER and Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA)
rounded out the technical program. ICETECH 2010 will be held in
Alaska
– watch for the new website (www.icetech10.org).
ICETECH 08 Post-Conference Proceedings are available in CD
format. Please visit
www.icetech08.org or contact the Bercha Group for ordering
information. |
P2803 |
ALBERTA CLIPPER
CLIENT: Enbridge DATE: 2008
DESCRIPTION: Provision of support risk services during the
design and construction stages of a major crude oil pipeline
from the Edmonton area to a location in southern Manitoba, south
of St. Leon, where it crosses into the United States. Support
services have included probabilistic analysis of various bid
components and bids for construction of the various portions of
the pipeline, general risk services, and detailed analysis of
bids for each of the main segments, utilizing Monte Carlo
simulation in order to provide probabilistic distributions of
the likely outcomes in economic terms of these bids. The
methodology utilized was a risk factor approach in which
weighing factors were attributed to all significant factors
associated with the likely economic performance of each bidder,
to provide a risked cumulative distribution function of the
probable capital cost distribution. |
P2802 |
HARDISTY MERCHANT TANKS
COST TO COMPLETION RISK
CLIENT: Enbridge DATE: 2008
DESCRIPTION: In this study Bercha assessed risks to capital
costs for a large industrial project. Cost distributions were
calculated using selected risk factors, as well as the entire
array of risk factors. The analysis was conducted on the basis
of historical performance since the inception of the system,
considering various economic factors, to provide a probable
capital cost distribution using Monte Carlo simulation.
Pertinent conclusions were generated and recommendations
offered. |
P2801
|
JOINT INDUSTRY PROJECT
FEASIBILITY OF ARCTIC INSTALLATION EER
CLIENT: ConocoPhillips (Canada)
and StatoilHydro (Norway)
DATE: 2008---(ongoing)
DESCRIPTION: The project consists of the analysis of existing
EER systems for Arctic applications, their evaluation, and
ranking according to reliability and overall feasibility, and
the design and reliability analysis of new EER systems for
locations selected by each of the partners. The site-specific
analysis consists of the development of two alternative EER
system configuration and its reliability analysis using the
Bercha Probabilistic Escape, Evacuation, and Rescue Simulator
(PEERS) to assess the absolute and relative reliability under a
range of site-specific environmental and installation-specific
operational and accident conditions. |
2007 |
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P2710 |
NEW BRUNSWICK PIPELINE EPZ DESIGNATION
CLIENT:
New Brunswick Pipeline DATE: 2007-2008
DESCRIPTION: An Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) is an area in the
vicinity of a hazardous installation, for which an Emergency
Response Plan (ERP) is developed and implemented. The
development of the plan requires the designation of an EPZ. In
this study, Bercha considered and made recommendations for an
appropriate EPZ designation, for which an Emergency Response
Plan (ERP) will be developed and implemented. |
P2707 |
ARKTOS EER SYSTEM
CLIENT: Transportation
Development Centre (TDC) of Transport
Canada DATE: 2007
Ongoing continuation of
projects P2701, P2601, P2501, P2401, P2301, P2201, P2101, and
P2001
DESCRIPTION:
The Final Report to project P2701, entitled “Escape, Evacuation,
and Risk Research Project: Phase III”, summarized the work
conducted in the subject area from January 2000 to February
2006, and was published under TP14600E in March 2006. In 2007,
additional information and data were obtained on the ARKTOS
evacuation system, referred to in Sections 2.2.4 and 2.5 of the
Phase III Final Report. Because these data, obtained through
both direct experiment and from the manufacturer and various
third party sources, provides a better representation of the
ARKTOS system and its capability, an Addendum Report was
generated under this project P2707. It specifically updated
Sections 2.2.4 and 2.5 of the Phase III final report, and
provided additional information on the ARKTOS system. |
P2705 |
PIPE TESTS
CLIENT: Confidential Client
DATE: 2007
DESCRIPTION:
Bercha provided advice and analysis of the statistical
significance of a pipe testing program, including a future test
configuration to provide adequate statistical significance on
the integrity of pipemill produced line pipe. |
P2704
|
Alternative Oil Spill Occurrence Estimators
CLIENT: United States Department of the Interior, Minerals
Management Service,
Alaska
DATE:
Ongoing continuation of P2407 – contracted to Year 2010
DESCRIPTION:
Oil spill occurrence estimates were generated for several expected
future oil and gas development scenarios (including exploration,
production, and abandonment) in the Alaska Offshore Continental
Shelf (OCS) lease sale regions. Because sufficient historical
data on offshore oil spills for these regions do not exist, an
oil spill occurrence model based on fault tree methodology was
developed and applied. Using the fault trees, base data from the
Gulf of Mexico including the variability of the data, were modified and augmented to
represent expected Arctic offshore oil spillage frequencies.
Three principal spill occurrence indicators, as follows, were
quantified:
§
Spill frequency
§
Spill frequency per barrel produced
§
Spill index, the product of spill size and
spill frequency
These
indicators were quantified for the following spill sizes:
§
|
Small
(S): |
≥50 to
<100 bbl |
§
|
Medium
(M): |
≥100 to
<1,000 bbl |
§
|
Large
(L): |
≥1,000
to <10,000 bbl |
§
|
Huge
(H): |
≥
10,000 bbl |
Quantification was carried out for each future year for
principal development scenarios, with a range of development
parameters, in duration up to 40 years. In addition, a
comparative scenario for non-Arctic locations was formulated and
analyzed for oil spill occurrence. Generally, it was found that
the non-Arctic spill indicators were likely to be significantly
higher than those for similar scenarios in the
Arctic. The computations were carried out using a
Monte Carlo process
to permit the inclusion of estimated uncertainties in the base
and scenario data and Arctic effects. A wide range of details
for each scenario was generated, including the following:
§
Expected time history of spill occurrences
over the scenario life.
§
Spill occurrence variations by spill volumes
in the above spill size ranges.
§
Spill occurrence variation by spill cause such
as boat anchoring or ice gouging.
§
Spill occurrence contribution from each main
facility type, including pipelines, platforms, and wells.
§
Comparison of spill occurrence predictions
between
Arctic and non-Arctic scenarios.
§
Life of field averages of spill occurrence
estimators.
§
The variability in the results due to
uncertainties in the inputs was expressed as cumulative
distribution functions and statistical measures.
In the final report, a detailed description of the methodology,
results, and conclusions and recommendations will be given, as
well as a section on limitations of the study.
|
P2701 |
ESCAPE, EVACUATION,
AND RESCUE (EER) R&D - PHASE
III-B
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada
DATE: 2004-2006
Ongoing continuation of projects P2601, P2501,
P2401, P2301, P2201, P2101, and P2001
DESCRIPTION: As part of EER Phase III, Bercha carried out
focused R&D leading to the development of performance-based
standards and guidelines for the offshore industry. Project
P2601 is the continuation of and completion of the work started
under project number P2601 and P2501. Please refer to
P2501 for more information |
2006 |
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P2615
|
ICETECH 2008 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION on
Performance of Ships and Structures in Ice
CLIENT:
Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) DATE: July 20-23, 2008
(ongoing)
DESCRIPTION:
ICETECH-08 is set for July 2008 in Banff.
Dr. Bercha again chairs the Organizing Committee, an
international conference and exhibition
on
performance of ships and structures in ice to be held in Banff,
Alberta, Canada, July 2008. The theme and subject areas of the
conference complement and derive impetus from the current rapid
growth of development and associated resurging interest in oil
and gas exploration and production in Arctic offshore regions.
For updated information and conference details, visit the
conference website:
www.icetech08.org. |
P2610 |
ICETECH 2006 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION WRAP UP
CLIENT: n/a DATE:
July 16-19, 2006 ( see also P2315)
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Bercha chaired the Organizing Committee for
ICETECH 2006. The conference positively exceeded expectations
with over 150 delegates attending, full sponsor and exhibitor
subscription, 60 technical papers presented, and an exciting
social and accompanying persons program. The technical program,
the events, the setting, and the attendees made it a very
enjoyable and technically sound event! The technical program
each day began with two plenary papers, including: the northern
sea route; the changing Arctic; evolution of offshore safety
regulations and practices; naval architecture developments for
the Arctic; escape, evacuation, and rescue (EER); and current
major offshore Arctic projects. Workshops on EER and the future
of the
Arctic rounded out the technical program. The conference was
such a success that delegates requested a repeat in 2008, rather
than the originally planned 2010. We have begun planning for
ICETECH 08, at the same venue for
July 20 to 23, 2008.
ICETECH 06 Post-Conference Proceedings are available in CD
format. Please contact the Bercha Group for ordering
information. |
P2603 |
GENERAL REGULATORY ADVICE
CLIENT: ATCO Pipelines DATE: 2006
DESCRIPTION: Bercha, together with a legal firm, reviewed the
significance of various CSA Z662 Class provisions, and assisted
in a pragmatic interpretation of these within the context of
ATCO natural gas transmission lines in different class
locations. |
P2602 |
UNDER BALANCED DRILLING INDUSTRY GUIDELINES
CLIENT: Canadian Association of Drilling Contractors (CAODC)
DATE: 2006
DESCRIPTION: Bercha assisted in the development of an under
balanced drilling industry recommended practice (IRP) by
facilitating various hazard identification sessions together
with members of the IRP-24 sub-committee.
|
P2601 |
ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE (EER) R&D - PHASE III-B
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada DATE: 2006
DESCRIPTION:
As part of EER Phase III, Bercha carried out focused R&D leading
to the development of performance-based standards and guidelines
for the offshore industry. Project P2601 is the continuation of
and completion of the work started under project number P2501.
Please refer to P2501 for more information. |
2005 |
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P2507 |
ALTERNATIVE OIL SPILL OCCURRENCE ESTIMATORS AND THEIR
VARIABILITY FOR THE CHUKCHI SEA - FAULT TREE METHOD
CLIENT: United States Department of the Interior, Minerals
Management Service DATE: ongoing (2006)
DESCRIPTION:
Oil spill occurrence estimates were generated for several expected
future oil and gas development scenarios (including exploration,
production, and abandonment) in the Chukchi Sea Offshore
Continental Shelf (OCS) lease sale regions. Because sufficient
historical data on offshore oil spills for these regions do not
exist, an oil spill occurrence model based on fault tree
methodology was developed and applied. Using the fault trees,
base data from the
Gulf of Mexico including the variability of the data, were modified and augmented to
represent expected Arctic offshore oil spillage frequencies.
Three principal spill occurrence indicators, as follows, were
quantified:
§
Spill frequency
§
Spill frequency per barrel produced
§
Spill index, the product of spill size and
spill frequency
These
indicators were quantified for the following spill sizes:
§
|
Small
(S): |
≥50 to
<100 bbl |
§
|
Medium
(M): |
≥100 to
<1,000 bbl |
§
|
Large
(L): |
≥1,000
to <10,000 bbl |
§
|
Huge
(H): |
≥
10,000 bbl |
Quantification was carried out for each future year for one
principal
Chukchi
Sea
development scenario, with a range of development parameters, in
duration up to 39 years. In addition, a comparative scenario for
non-Arctic locations was formulated and analyzed for oil spill
occurrence. Generally, it was found that the non-Arctic spill
indicators were likely to be significantly higher than those for
similar scenarios in the
Arctic. The computations were carried out using a
Monte Carlo process
to permit the inclusion of estimated uncertainties in the base
and scenario data and Arctic effects. A wide range of details
for each scenario was generated, including the following:
§
Expected time history of spill occurrences
over the scenario life.
§
Spill occurrence variations by spill volumes
in the above spill size ranges.
§
Spill occurrence variation by spill cause such
as boat anchoring or ice gouging.
§
Spill occurrence contribution from each main
facility type, including pipelines, platforms, and wells.
§
Comparison of spill occurrence predictions
between
Arctic and non-Arctic scenarios.
§
Life of field averages of spill occurrence
estimators.
§
The variability in the results due to
uncertainties in the inputs was expressed as cumulative
distribution functions and statistical measures.
In the final report, a detailed description of the methodology,
results, and conclusions and recommendations is given, as well
as a section on limitations of the study. |
P2506 |
EXPERT
TESTIMONY AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
CLIENT: Confidential Client DATE: 2005
DESCRIPTION: Bercha assisted in
the development of technical evidence for various aspects of the
client's pipeline integrity and operation. The work covered
interpretations of regulatory provisions in the United States
and international regime as well as review of specific operating
and design procedures. |
P2504
|
RED DEER PIPELINE SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION
CLIENT:
ATCO Pipelines Limited DATE: 2005
DESCRIPTION: Bercha assisted ATCO in the development and
application of a system for ranking the rehabilitation priority
of its pipelines. The work included a helicopter and walkabout
inspection of the Southern Extension pipeline and meetings
with ATCO personnel to discuss possible risk-based approaches to
the rehabilitation ranking. |
P2503 |
FAULT
TREE
ANALYSIS OF ALBERTA SOUR GAS FACILITIES
CLIENT:
Alberta
Energy and Utilities Board DATE: March 2006
DESCRIPTION:
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (AEUB) required a
comprehensive frequency analysis of operating sour gas
facilities throughout the province. By sour gas facilities under
this project, are meant all sour gas well drilling, production
well, pipeline, and other facility operations. Other facilities
include those not covered by the three specified types of
operations and included, but are not restricted to, items such
as above grade metering, pig trap, valve, compressor station,
and gas plant facilities. These latter facilities are referred
to herein as “Other Facilities”. |
P2502 |
HIGH CONSEQUENCE AREAS IDENTIFICATION
AND RANKING
CLIENT: Confidential Client DATE: 2005
DESCRIPTION: In risk assessment two principal aspects are
addressed - the probability of occurrence and the magnitude of
adverse consequences of an undesired event such as an oil spill.
Regardless of probability of occurrence, if the consequences are
high, such as multiple fatalities, the location where this can
happen is termed a High Consequence Area (HCA). The client had
undertaken to identify all such areas along its pipeline in
order to undertake mitigation of these high consequences through
appropriate mitigation methods. In this study, the following
principal areas are addressed:
- A working definition of
HCAs is developed
- A methodology for
identification of the HCAs is defined
- An identification of
HCAs for the pipeline is conducted
- Approaches to HCA mitigation are developed. |
P2501
|
ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE (EER) R&D - PHASE III-B
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada
DATE: 2004-2006
DESCRIPTION: As part of EER Phase III, Bercha will carry out
focused R&D leading to the development of performance-based
standards and guidelines for the offshore industry.
The goal of the program is to develop a prioritized and
focused R&D program specific to EER, which will lead to the
implementation of performance standards for the offshore
industry. The Canadian Petroleum Boards have indicated that they
will administer the Standards and implement them as Board
Guidelines under the Accord Act. The Boards support the
continuation of the EER research program and in parallel, the
Boards, in co-operation with industry, have initiated a process
to review the draft standard by the regulator. The results of
this work will provide the rationale for the Regulators to
evaluate design standards for EER systems employed in the
offshore industry. The performance-based guidelines will address
all relevant Human Factors/Ergonomic considerations with respect
to the usability of the systems, training and other associated
elements.
Current work which is underway or has been carried out to
support the R&D program under P2501, Phase III-B, includes the following:
-
Further
development of the EER simulator, the risk and performance
tool (RPT). The risk and performance tool (RPT) was
developed for the assessment of reliability and performance
characteristics of different escape, evacuation, and rescue
(EER) components and their integrated performance as an EER
system for different offshore installations and operating
conditions. The Risk and Performance Tool (RPT), uses an
optimal combination of risk analysis and simulation.
Essentially, the RPT simultaneously models the evolution of
risks and times of performance for each of the activities,
operations, and components, comprising an EER process under
given operational, environmental, and accident conditions.
This document gives a detailed description of the
methodology utilized in the development of the RPT including
the basis for input data, algorithms, and results. Several
typical offshore EER configurations for different conditions
are analyzed and representative results are presented.
-
Intermediate drafting of integrated ice and open water
Canadian offshore petroleum installations escape,
evacuation, and rescue (EER) performance-based standards.
-
Details
of the research carried out throughout the EER Research
Project since Year 2000 by Bercha were reported in a series
of 29 technical reports. These research results have been
integrated into the current version of the RPT, and may
generally be summarized as the earlier results with
enhancements and refinements carried out under Phases I and
II, and the Phase III results. The earlier results have now
been extended to cover ice and cold regions performance, and
although the basic research was carried out under Phases I
and II, they have also been incorporated in the Integrated
Ice and Open Water RPT. The principal areas of these early
results generally fall under human and mechanical
performance.
EER R&D
projects Phases I, II, and III-B are described under project
numbers: P2001, P2101,
P2201, P2301, and
P2401. Photos below are from all Phases of
the project. More information can also be found on our
PBS
downloads
page.
Click on thumbnails to
view enlarged images.
Click on thumbnail to
view enlarged image. |
Click on thumbnail to
view enlarged image. |
|
|
Figure 1: RPT
opening screen (Phase III-B). |
Figure 2: Sample RPT graphical output. |
Figure 3: Human Factors studies were conducted for
RPT input and validation (Phases 1-3). |
Figure 4: Trials staged at Survival Systems'
Skyscape facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in November
2000. |
|
|
|
|
Figure 5: In February of 2001, further trials were
staged to assess the effects of winter weather.
|
Figure 6: TEMPSC evacuation trials were conducted
using the Galaxy II jack-up rig in Halifax Harbor, in
January 2004. |
Figure 7:
Stakeholder information workshops were staged. |
Figure 8: EER Task Force members worked together as
part of the Standards development process. (F. Bercha, C. Brooks, and F. Leafloor shown here during
a meeting in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). |
|
Click on thumbnail to
view enlarged image. |
|
|
Figure 9: Various evacuation systems were studied
for incorporation into the RPT. The PROD system is
an adaptation of the davit-launch system intended to
give the lifeboats an impetus away from the platform.
The PROD boom is shown here. |
Figure 10: The PROD system comprises a long,
tapered, flexible GRP boom attached at right angles to
the offshore structure by a hydraulic hinge. The boom
may be a single length one-piece construction or
hydraulically articulated to reduce storage space. The
boom’s outboard end is connected to the bow of the
lifeboat by a fixed-length wire tag line incorporating
an automatic release coupling. |
Figure 11: The
Seascape system was analyzed and incorporated into the
RPT. |
Figure 12: The Seascape system consists primarily of
a launch structure and a TEMPSC. The launch structure is
a hinged arm, which places the TEMPSC on the water
surface. |
|
|
|
|
Figure 13: ARKTOS
system was incorporated into the RPT. Here ARKTOS is
seen operating in broken ice. |
Figure 14: Instrumented full-scale lifeboat in ice
test results: light ice pack, March 2003, Northumberland
Strait. |
|
|
|
2004 |
To Top of Page |
P2408
|
CRUDE OIL
PIPELINE INCIDENT, REGULATION, AND PRACTICE REVIEW
CLIENT: Confidential Client DATE: 2004
DESCRIPTION: A confidential review of information relevant to
the location of hydrocarbon pipelines, with specific emphasis on
crude oil pipelines, in relation to urban centres of population
was carried out. |
P2407
|
ALTERNATIVE OIL SPILL OCCURRENCE ESTIMATORS FOR THE BEAUFORT SEA
- FAULT TREE METHOD - Extension to Include Variability of
Non-Arctic Effects
CLIENT: U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management
Service, Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region
DATE: 2005
DESCRIPTION: Progress Report #1 was issued March 7, 2005,
providing preliminary comprehensive and possibly final results
for oil spill occurrence indicator (OSOI) from Monte Carlo
calculations for Sale 1 and Sale 2.
The method used was a combination of the proposed
approaches #1 and #2, essentially utilizing high level
distributions from historical data under approach #1, and
refining them using approach #2 by adjusting the confidence
intervals for causal distribution components, as required for
expected conditions. Spill volume distributions within each
spill size category were also used.
|
|
Figure 1: Winter sea
ice on the Beaufort Sea
(image courtesy of NOAA:
www.photolib.noaa.gov) |
Figure 2: Sunset on
the Beaufort
(image courtesy of NOAA:
www.photolib.noaa.gov) |
|
P2406 |
SOUR GAS
BLOWOUT IGNITION STUDY
CLIENT: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) DATE: 2004
DESCRIPTION: The requirements for blowouts occurring during the
drilling of critical sour gas wells is the ignition of the
blowout in order to reduce the risk from H2S through combustion
to SO2. However, there is not currently a clear understanding of
exactly how long it will take and how reliable it will be to
ignite the blowout under real life threatening conditions.
Bercha has developed software that takes into account human
performance under life threatening conditions in its studies of
onshore and offshore emergencies. Under this contract, Bercha
has been retained to simulate both the time and the reliability
of ignition of sour gas blowouts under different weather and
operational and accident conditions. Results will be used as
part of the requirements for development of emergency planning
zones at critical sour gas wells. |
P2405 |
QUALITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT OF HALIFAX HARBOUR NATURAL GAS
PIPELINE CROSSING OPTIONS
CLIENT: Heritage Gas DATE: 2004
DESCRIPTION: A risk assessment was carried out in support of
Heritage Gas feasiblity studies on construction of a pipeline
connecting the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour (where natural
gas is supplied from the Maritimes and Northeast Pipelines
Halifax Lateral), across the Halifax Harbour Narrows to
terminate on the Halifax Peninsula within the City of Halifax.
Preliminary estimates indicated that an NPS 10 pipeline with an
MOP of 275 psig, approximately 1 km in length, would provide the
required capacity.
The Bercha risk assessment focused on two crossing options:
a. Under-Harbour Crossing using Horizontal Directional
Drilling (HDD);
b. Suspended Bridge Crossing (SBC) using the Macdonald
Bridge.
The general objective of the work was to provide Heritage Gas
with a comprehensive but high level and qualitative picture of
the risk of exposure that would be encountered both during
construction and subsequent pipeline operation for the HDD and
the SBC crossing options. The assessment addressed the risks in
two distinct phases; namely, the construction phase and the
operating phase.
|
P2404 |
REVIEW OF
RISK AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED
CANNONBALL DEVELOPMENT
CLIENT: Environmental Management Authority, Government of
Trinidad and Tobago DATE: 2004
DESCRIPTION: Bercha International Inc. was retained through
Jacques Whitford for the review of documents supporting an
application to the Environmental Management Authority of the
Government of Trinidad and Tobago. This application was made by
British Petroleum for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC)
to develop the oil and gas reserves of the Cannonball Field that
is located in the South East Galeota Block, 60km offshore the
East Coast of Trinidad. Essentially, the proposed project would
contain both offshore and onshore segments. The offshore segment
would consist of a proposed wellhead protector platform, and a
new 26” pipeline running from the platform to an existing
pipeline to an onshore facility. The onshore development would
consist of a modification of an existing onshore gas processing
facility to increase its capacity.
Bercha’s work consisted of reviewing the hazard and
consequence assessment, a quantitative risk assessment, and an
environmental impact assessment (EIA)), and assessing the
validity and appropriateness of the methodology, running check
calculations, and making recommendations in relation to the
methodology and in relation to the results. The standards
applied in the review were those standards normally applied to
similar developments in western countries such as Canada and the
USA. Generally, the methodology of the onshore facility QRA is
compatible with existing standards, while no QRA was done for
the offshore segment. The EIA is compatible with standards for
preliminary EIA with respect to public and environmental risks.
|
P2403 |
QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE SHELL MOOSE MOUNTAIN TO
JUMPING POUND INTERCONNECT PIPELINE
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited DATE: 2004
DESCRIPTION: Bercha performed a risk assessment of Shell’s
proposed Interconnect Pipeline (IP) system, from the Moose
Mountain Compressor Station (MMCS) to the Jumping Pound Gas
Plant (JPGP). The goal of the work was to evaluate the risks
associated with operating the proposed interconnect pipeline.
The work was used to support an EUB application for the
construction of the proposed interconnect pipeline and assist in
the Shell risk management program development for the proposed
system.
A quantitative risk assessment (QRA) was conducted
including consideration of the engineering and operational
parameters of the proposed project within the context of the
current location. The primary focus of the risk assessment was
quantification of acute risks to the public. The key results of
the work were estimates of individual and collective risks to
the public. Both individual and collective risks were found to
be sufficiently low to be considered acceptable. |
P2402 |
RISK
ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED ATCO PIPELINE RELOCATION
CLIENT: ATCO Pipelines, Edmonton, Alberta DATE: 2004
DESCRIPTION: ATCO Pipelines proposed to relocate an NPS-4
high-pressure sweet natural gas pipeline along a 6-km segment of
Highway 40 in the vicinity of the Smoky River Mine. A risk
analysis was carried out to support engineering and management
decisions and the application to the AEUB for licensing of the
project.
The principal results of the risk assessment were
individual specific risk (ISR) transects describing the risks
from the proposed pipeline to public and worker personnel in its
vicinity. Risk mitigation measures were also investigated
qualitatively, and several key risk mitigation measures were
recommended. |
P2401 |
ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE (EER) R&D - PHASE III-A
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada
DATE: 2004-2005
DESCRIPTION: As part of EER Phase III, Bercha will carry out
focused R&D leading to the development of performance-based
standards and guidelines for the offshore industry.
The goal of the program is to develop a prioritized and
focused R&D program specific to EER, which will lead to the
implementation of performance standards for the offshore
industry. The Canadian Petroleum Boards have indicated that they
will administer the Standards and implement them as Board
Guidelines under the Accord Act. The Boards support the
continuation of the EER research program and in parallel, the
Boards, in co-operation with industry, have initiated a process
to review the draft standard by the regulator. The results of
this work will provide the rationale for the Regulators to
evaluate design standards for EER systems employed in the
offshore industry. The performance-based guidelines will address
all relevant Human Factors/Ergonomic considerations with respect
to the usability of the systems, training and other associated
elements.
Current work which is underway or has been carried out to
support the R&D program under Phase III-A includes the following:
-
Full-scale single point lifeboat evacuation tests utilizing
the Galaxy II semi-submersible. The tests were carried out
with the full cooperation of Global Santa Fe and
participation of the Galaxy II crew in launches and
recoveries of lifeboats in a location in Halifax Harbour.
-
Reliability analysis of the proposed Seascape system. The
work has consisted of participation in the Seascape launch
trials, review of data and reports, and analysis of the
reliability of this system, and incorporation into the risk
and performance tool, a computer simulator of EER.
-
Expansion of the EER simulator, the RPT, to incorporate
various evacuation systems, as well as specific systems
including Seascape and ARKTOS.
-
Expansion of the RPT to cover EER in ice covered waters for
sub-Arctic and Arctic conditions.
EER R&D
projects Phases I, II, and III-B are described under project
numbers: P2001, P2101,
P2201, P2301, and
P2501. More information can also be found
on our
PBS
downloads
page. |
2003 |
To Top of Page |
P2315
|
ICETECH-06 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE &
EXHIBITION
CLIENT: n/a DATE: July 16-19, 2006
DESCRIPTION:
Dr. Bercha chaired the Organizing Committee for ICETECH 2006, an
international conference and exhibition on performance of ships
and structures in ice held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, July
16-19, 2006. The theme and subject areas of the conference
complemented and derived impetus from contemporary rapid growth
of development and associated resurgence of interest in oil and
gas exploration and production in Arctic offshore regions.
Updated information and conference details were available on the
conference website. |
P2314
|
ISO ARCTIC
STRUCTURES STANDARD TP2a – RELIABILITY
CLIENT: International Standards Organization DATE: 2004---
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Bercha chairs the ISO Technical Panel 2a
drafting this Standard. ISO (the International Organization for
Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International
Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees.
International Standard TP 2a was prepared by
WG8 AS 25B Arctic Structures, Subcommittee TP 2a Reliability.
TP2a is part of a series of standards for arctic offshore
structures.
|
|
Figure 1 - ISO
meeting in Beijing, 2004.
Dr. Bercha lectures on
reliability. |
Figure 2 - ISO meeting in Beijing, 2004. |
|
P2313
|
WG8
TECHNICAL PANELS ISO 2G8 AS25B ARCTIC STRUCTURES STANDARD -
ESCAPE, EVACUATION, AND RESCUE - 8B
CLIENT: International Standards Organization DATE: 2004---
DESCRIPTION: Dr. Bercha is a member of the ISO Technical
Panel 8b drafting this Standard. ISO (the International
Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of
preparing International Standards is carried out through ISO
technical committees. International Standard TP 8b was prepared
by WG8 AS 25B Arctic Structures, Subcommittee
TP8b Escape, Evacuation, and Rescue. TP8b is part of a series of
standards for arctic offshore structures.
|
|
Figure 1 - ISO
meeting in Paris. |
Figure 2 - Panel members. |
|
P2311 |
RISK RISK
RE-ASSESSMENT OF SHELL MOOSE MOUNTAIN MAINLINE BETWEEN MOOSE
MOUNTAIN AND WHISKEY CREEK COMPRESSOR STATIONS
CLIENT: Shell
Canada Limited DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: Shell Canada Limited (Shell) retained the Bercha
Group (Bercha) to perform a risk re-assessment of the Moose
Mountain Mainline (MMM) system, from the Moose Mountain
Compressor Station (MMCS) to the Whiskey Creek
Compressor Station (WCCS). The goal of the work was to
re-evaluate the risks associated with operating the existing
pipeline to its full design capacity, beyond the present
operational restrictions associated with the existing conditions
that act to cap the operating H2S release volumes to values well
below Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) license values.
The work was used to support an EUB application for ‘review and
variance’ of the supplemental conditions. A quantitative risk
assessment (QRA) was conducted of the Moose Mountain Mainline
from MMCS to WCCS operating at full capacity. The risk
assessment included consideration of the engineering and
operational parameters of the proposed project within the
context of the current location. The primary focus of the risk
assessment was quantification of acute risks to the public. The
key results of the work are estimates of individual and
collective risks to the public. Both individual and collective
risks were found to be sufficiently low to be considered
acceptable.
|
P2310 |
LINE 96
LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM (LDS) REVIEW
CLIENT: Energy Division, County of Santa Barbara, USA DATE:
2004
DESCRIPTION: At the request of the County of Santa Barbara
Energy Division, Bercha reviewed the Line 96 pipeline integrity
program and leak detection system. The review was based on a
study and analysis of documentation and data requested by Bercha
in September, 2003 and substantially provided by the Line 96
operator between November 4, 2003 and January 14, 2004.
It has been noted in the review that leak detection
constitutes only a small portion of the pipeline integrity
management program. The pipeline integrity management program
objective is the prevention of any leaks or ruptures of the
pipeline through an integrated set of provisions. Only if all
these provisions fail, does leak detection come into action. It
has also been noted that small leaks in hydrocarbon pipelines
are usually due to internal or external corrosion. On the other
hand, ruptures of pipelines are usually a result of defects in
the manufacture of the line pipe, construction damage or
external impacts such as third party damage or earth movement
caused by seismic activity, gravity effects, or soil erosion.
|
Figure 1: An
aerial view of the area under study.
(Click on image to
enlarge)
|
|
P2308 |
QUATAR
FACILITY FREQUENCY ESTIMATES
CLIENT: Jacques Whitford Environmental Limited DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: As part of a facility assessments, Bercha Group
conducted frequency estimates for the following:
- Total Plant Emergency Depressurization to Flare
- Emergency Flare Flameout
- Marine Terminal Fire or Explosion
- Tanker Fire and Explosion During Loading |
P2307 |
SHELL
MOOSE MOUNTAIN MAINLINE RISK RE-ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: Shell Canada Limited (Shell) has retained the
Bercha Group (Bercha) to perform a risk re-assessment of the
Moose Mountain Mainline (MMM) system, from the Moose Mountain
Compressor Station to the Imperial Oil Quirk Creek Gas Plant (QCGP).
The goal of the work is to re-evaluate the risks associated with
operating the existing pipeline to its full design capacity,
beyond the present operational restrictions associated with the
existing conditions that act to cap the operating H2S release
volumes to values well below Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
(EUB) license values. It is anticipated that the work will be
used to support an EUB application for ‘review and variance’ of
the supplemental conditions. |
P2306 |
GAS
RESOURCES & CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN MUSKWA-KECHIKA
MANAGEMENT AREA, NE BRITISH COLUMBIA
CLIENT: APA Petroleum Engineering DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: Bercha work constituted part of APA’s development
application for regulatory assessment and approval for a
proposed project within the Muskwa-Kechika Management area.
Bercha carried out a detailed risk analysis, studying facility
risks to public safety and the environment. Bercha work also
generated project-specific public safety and environmental risk
mitigation measures, and contributed to the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). |
P2305 |
HAZARD
ANALYSIS FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS
CLIENT: Plains Marketing Canada DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: This two-day training course, conducted by Dr.
Bercha, focused on hazard analysis fundamentals and
applications. The program included technical theory as well as
practical experience through use of Hazop software, enriched
through guided study including application of Hazop software on
select case studies. |
P2304 |
SHELL
MOOSE MOUNTAIN RISK RE-ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: Shell Canada Limited (Shell) was evaluating a line
looping project for the canyon section of the existing Moose
Mountain infield Gas Gathering System. Shell retained the Bercha
Group (Bercha) to perform a risk re-assessment of the Moose
Mountain Infield Gas Gathering System based on the proposed line
looping design basis. The re-assessment considered the impact of
the five planned future wells that will be tied into this
pipeline system, based on a range of potential well volumes and
compositions. The purpose of the risk re-assessment is to
provide support for engineering and design functions and to
support an Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) energy development
application expected to be filed in the near future. The figures
below highlight some of the unique aspects of this area. |
P2303 |
BLUE
ATLANTIC PROJECT ONSHORE FACILITY RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: Jacques Whitford Environment Limited DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: Bercha carried out a quantitative risk assessment
of proposed onshore facilities. Generally, the work was
subdivided into two principal risk analytic components as
follows: Risk analysis of the pipelines, and a high-level risk
analysis of the proposed gas plant.
Because of their location in a rural populated area, the
pipeline risk assessment was to be carried out to a relatively
high level of detail and comprehensive quantification. The gas
plant, however, was restricted in risk analysis scope to a much
more general level, with focus on quantitative risk assessment
on major releases with potential offsite damaging effects.
|
P2302 |
SD283
HUMBER PLACE SUBDIVISION - SAFETY ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: TransCanada Pipelines Limited DATE: 2003
DESCRIPTION: Bercha conducted a review of the risk and safety
implications of two alternative subdivision configurations in
the vicinity of the subject pipeline. Tasks included information
review, conduct of a quantitative accident probability analysis,
and generation of conclusions and recommendations on the
preferred pipeline route. |
P2301 |
ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE (EER) R&D PHASE 3
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada
DATE: 2003--
DESCRIPTION: As part of EER Phase III, Bercha will carry out
focused R&D leading to the development of performance-based
standards and guidelines for the offshore industry. Work carried
out under Phases 1 and 2 (P2101 and P2201) is the foundation for
Phase 3.
The goal of the program is to develop a prioritized and
focused R&D program specific to EER, which will lead to the
implementation of performance standards for the offshore
industry. The Canadian Petroleum Boards have indicated that they
will administer the Standards and implement them as Board
Guidelines under the Accord Act. The Boards support the
continuation of the EER research program and in parallel, the
Boards, in co-operation with industry, will initiate a process
to review the draft standard by the regulator. The results of
this work will provide the rationale for the Regulators to
evaluate design standards for EER systems employed in the
offshore industry. The performance-based guidelines will address
all relevant Human Factors/Ergonomic considerations with respect
to the usability of the systems, training and other associated
elements.
EER R&D
projects Phases I, II, and III-B are described under project
numbers: P2001, P2101,
P2201, P2401, and
P2501. More information can also be found
on our
PBS
downloads
page. |
2002 |
To Top of Page |
P2204 |
STATISTICAL AND NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF OIL SPILL PERSISTENCE ON
OPEN WATER
CLIENT: On Subcontract to: S.L. Ross Environmental Research
Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada DATE: 2003
For: U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management
Service, Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region
DESCRIPTION: This project was carried out and reported by Bercha
International Inc. (Bercha), on subcontract to S.L. Ross
Environmental Research Limited (SLR) the prime contractor to MMS
for the project “Persistence of Crude Oil Spills on Open Water”.
The objective of the project is to study the relationships
between spill persistence and spill size, and to refine the
spill persistence and size relationship in terms of other
variables while providing possible predictive relationships such
as cumulative distribution functions.
Essentially, the approach utilized by Bercha following receipt
of the spill data from SLR, was to inspect the data for possible
approaches, identify a series of statistical and numerical
methods which could be used to study the relationships among the
principal data variables, apply these methods, select the most
statistically significant approaches, and further utilize these
approaches to generate certain predictive algorithms and
results.
|
P2203 |
RISK AND
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF UTILITY CROSSINGS OF ROADS
CLIENT: Alberta Transportation DATE: 2002
DESCRIPTION: As part of the decision making process on the
possible requirement of casings on municipal utility pipes
crossing roadways, a risk and cost benefit analysis input has
been identified as a desirable input by Alberta Transportation.
Generally, such a risk and cost benefit analysis will take into
consideration the costs of initial installation and replacement,
durability (lifetime), and unscheduled failures during the
lifecycle and associated costs of repairs. All costs will
include estimates of associated disruption costs. In relation to
unscheduled failures, cost of consequences will include the
repair of the utility, repair of possible damage to the roadbed
and surface, and the costs of any traffic disruption including
temporary traffic management and possible road closure.
The general approach to the work was to construct a
risk-economic model which gives cost expectations in current
dollars at their time of occurrence, and discounts them
utilizing a net (of inflation) discount rate to present value.
|
P2202 |
PUBLIC
SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF TWO ALTERNATE SUBDIVISION CONFIGURATIONS IN
THE VICINITY OF TCPL NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES
CLIENT: TransCanada Pipelines DATE: 2002
DESCRIPTION: An assessment of the risk and safety implications
was carried out for two alternative subdivision configurations
in the vicinity of the subject pipeline. The study includes: (1)
review of pertinent information and data, (2) conduct of a
quantitative accident probability analysis, and (3) Option
recommendation based on study results. The two subdivision
configuration options considered were: (a) Option 1 -
TransCanada ROW located in stand-alone corridor behind housing,
and (b) Option 2 - TransCanada ROW located in residential road
median in front of housing. The methodology included the use of
fault trees. |
P2201
|
ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE (EER) R&D PHASE 2
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada
DATE: 2002 - 2003
DESCRIPTION: Work initiated under P2101 is the foundation for
this project. The project goal is to develop performance-based
standards (PBS) for escape, evacuation, and rescue (EER) for
Canadian East coast offshore oil and gas installations.
Supporting research is an important part of the Standards
development process. Bercha provides facilitation, expert
personnel, and coordination of a team of offshore safety, human
factors, marine operations, and medical experts. The PBS
development program is carried out under the guidance of a
steering committee, which includes representatives of Transport
Canada, Transportation Development Centre, Canada-Nova Scotia
Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum
Board, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and other
experts. Bercha is responsible for the drafting and editing of
the guidelines and organizing their development, stakeholder
consultation, and promulgation. Supporting research projects
explore human performance under extreme conditions and
full-scale performance evaluation of specialized evacuation
systems. Since experimental data are not available nor can be
generated for performance under life threatening conditions, a
compendium of all accident anecdotal data, applicable error rate
and performance human factors data, and risk and reliability
documentation is assembled, reviewed, and transformed into
parameters applicable to the operation of the computerized EER
probabilistic simulator. Specific sytems targeted for evaluation
are the Seascape 2000 proprietary system and the PROD or
Preferred Orientation and Deployment lifeboat launch system.
EER R&D
projects Phases I, II, and III-B are described under project
numbers: P2001, P2101,
P2301, P2401, and
P2501. More information can also be found
on our
PBS
downloads
page. |
2001 |
To Top of Page |
P2111 |
GAS
DEMAND COINCIDENCE FACTOR ANALYSIS
CLIENT: ATCO Gas DATE: 2001-2002
DESCRIPTION: In previous projects, Bercha studied the
relationships among residential and commercial natural gas
demands within the context of chronological temperature
distributions. Various factors relating to peak demands for one
hour, 4 hours, and days to average demands over appropriate
periods were developed. Utilizing more advanced methodology,
data sets provided by ATCO on various demand parameters were
reviewed and algorithms for relating hourly and other period
demands to average demands for both individual and gate stations
were developed. Models were indexed for northern and southern
Alberta regions.
|
P2110 |
NEEPAWA PTH 16 ALTERNATIVE ROUTE RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: NDL DATE: 2001-2002
DESCRIPTION: In order to support planning and management
decisions for alternate configurations of Highway #16 within the
City of Neepawa, a detailed risk assessment for the existing
configuration and alternative configurations was carried out. A
risk model was developed based on five-year historical accident
data for the existing configuration, and extended to consider
two options; namely, a divided highway through town, and the
existing undivided highway together with a bypass route. Risks
were expressed as accident probabilities of three principal
categories; those involving property damage, injuries, and
fatalities. Results were provided in tabular and graphical
format together with recommendations on risk mitigation.
|
P2107 |
INTERIM PROTOCOLS ON DISPERSION MODELING AND RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: Alberta Energy and Utilities Board DATE: 2001-2002
DESCRIPTION: In this joint project with M.J. Zelensky of Public
Safety and Air Quality Management, the Bercha Group provided
specialized expertise on frequency and risk assessment aspects
of sour gas safety. The project entailed the development of a
protocol applicable uniformly to all sour gas developments in
Alberta, including wells, pipelines, and facilities. A sequence
of steps involving preliminary risk screening followed by
quantitative risk assessment was identified and the primary
benchmarks and methodologies for each of the steps were set out
in the interim protocol together with technical appendices
thereto giving quantitative information on appropriate
parameters to be utilized as inputs to the risk assessments. |
P2106 |
RAILROAD RIGHT OF WAY PIPELINE EASEMENT STUDIES
CLIENT: Brown, Winfield, and Cansoneri, Attorneys, Union
Pacific DATE: 2002 - ongoing
DESCRPTION: The work under this project consisted primarily of
the provision of expert support and testimony by Dr. F.G. Bercha
in regard to engineering issues associated with the construction
and operation of high-pressure petroleum liquids pipelines
within the Union Pacific 1,800-mile railroad right of way. In
1995, when this case was scheduled for trial, Bercha carried out
a number of assessments including constructibility and risk
analysis studies. This case was reopened in 2002, and
supporting evidence and additional testimony by Bercha was
provided thereto.
|
P2103 |
CONCEPT SAFETY EVALUATION FOR THE ALMA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Inc. (SOEI), Halifax, NS DATE:
2001
DESCRIPTION: A Concept Safety Evaluation (CSE) of the conceptual
design of the Alma development project was carried out. The work
included data assimilation, general hazard identification,
qualitative and quantitative risk assessment (QRA), review of
safety and EER systems, and the generation of conclusions and
recommendations. A range of hazards was considered in the risk
assessment. This Concept Safety Evaluation for a development
offshore Nova Scotia is regulated by the Nova Scotia Petroleum
Directorate, and, as such, is one of the requirements the
Directorate sets out as a condition for permits to proceed with
such a development.
The risks to personnel were the primary focus of the risk
evaluation, and both individual and collective risks were
evaluated. Individual risks (IR), the actual risks to which
individuals with different jobs are exposed, were quantified and
compared to Target Levels of Safety (TLS) established for the
project. Collective risks (CR) were quantified in terms of
Potential Loss of Life (PLL), and assessed within the context of
the as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) principle. The IR
TLS’s were as follows: IR below 10-6 is negligible,
IR between 10-6 and 10-3 is ALARP, and IR
above 10-3 is intolerable.
|
P2102 |
QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED AES POWER PLANT
CLIENT: AES Calgary ULC DATE: 2001
DESCRIPTION: A quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of the
proposed AES Calgary Power Plant was conducted. The risk
assessment included consideration of the engineering and
operational parameters of the proposed plant within the context
of the proposed location parameters. The primary focus of the
risk assessment was quantification of acute risks to the offsite
public. The scope of the work consisted of the following
principal tasks: data acquisition, hazard scenario development,
frequency analysis, consequence analysis, risk assessment and
acceptability, description of risk mitigation measures, and
conclusions and recommendations. The key results of the work are
estimates of individual and collective risks to the public. |
P2101 |
ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE (EER) R&D PHASE 2
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada
DATE: 2001 - 2003
DESCRIPTION: Under this project is the development of
performance-based standards (PBS) for escape, evacuation, and
rescue (EER) for East coast offshore oil and gas installations
together with the supporting research. In the first project, the
development of the guidelines is carried out, with Bercha
providing facilitation, expert personnel, and coordination of a
team of offshore safety, human factors, marine operations, and
medical experts. The PBS development program is carried out
under the guidance of a steering committee comprising Transport
Canada, Transportation Development Centre, Canada-Nova Scotia
Offshore Petroleum Board, Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum
Board, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and other
experts. Bercha is responsible for the drafting and editing of
the guidelines and organizing their development, stakeholder
consultation, and promulgation. In the second element, there are
two supporting research projects, one on human performance under
extreme conditions, and the second on the full-scale performance
evaluation of specialized evacuation systems. Since experimental
data are not available nor can be generated for performance
under life threatening conditions, a compendium of all accident
anecdotal data, applicable error rate and performance human
factors data, and risk and reliability documentation is
assembled, reviewed, and transformed into parameters applicable
to the operation of the computerized EER probabilistic
simulator. In the second subproject, specifically, the Seascape
2000 proprietary system and the PROD or Preferred Orientation
and Deployment lifeboat launch system are evaluated.
EER R&D
projects Phases I, II, and III-B are described under project
numbers: P2001, P2201,
P2301, P2401, and
P2501. More information can also be found
on our
PBS
downloads
page. |
2000 |
To Top of Page |
P2013 |
SAFETY OF NORTHERN AND POLAR SHIPPING (SONAPS) - ESCAPE,
EVACUATION, AND RESCUE
CLIENT: National Research Council of Canada and European Union,
Brussels DATE: 2000-2001
DESCRIPTION: Currently, no adequate standards or technologies
exist for the safety of civilian or military ships operating in
ice covered waters. Current SOLAS standards do not include
requirements for ice reinforcement or ice capability in
lifeboats, nor are current launching and evacuation devices
suited for Arctic operations. The current project, led by the
Bercha Group, addresses the problem of analyzing, developing,
and implementing technologies and regulations to assure
adequately safe escape, evacuation, and rescue (EER) procedures
for a range of common ice conditions from solid ice to broken
ice for vessels. The consortium, in addition to the leaders
Bercha Group, consist of Scott Polar Research Institute of
Cambridge University, Fortun Oil of Finland will provide
icebreaker support, the European Union Joint Research Centre
from Ispra, Italy, and advisors Umoe Schat-Harding of Oslo,
Norway. Currently, the program is in its design phase, with
Bercha supported by the National Research Council of Canada, and
the other organizations supported by their respective nations.
Ultimately, the work will consist of information assimilation,
analysis and modeling, conceptual engineering, model testing,
and full-scale tests. |
P2011 |
STUDY OF NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PLACEMENT IN THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT
CLIENT: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) DATE:
2000-2001
DESCRIPTION: The placement and location of hydrocarbon pipelines
with respect to road geometries and cross sections can have an
effect on the safety of the highway system and its users and
adjacent residents, as well as operational and economic impacts
on highway maintenance, construction, and modification
activities. To assess these risks and impacts, the
Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) commissioned Bercha
Engineering Limited (Bercha) to conduct an in-depth,
comprehensive study directed at generating a qualitative and
quantitative understanding of the implications of locating
pressurized natural gas pipelines in various locations within
rural road right-of-ways. The study covered four primary
representative road types together with their variations in ADDT,
vehicle speed, and cross section, as well as three
representative pipeline sizes and pressure categories for three
different pipeline locations. The three pipeline locations
consisted of one in the shoulder, one below the ditch, one just
inside the edge of the right-of-way, and a fourth control
location where the pipeline is away from the effects of the
roadway. The method for systematically quantifying the risks to
the public, considering the effects of the pipeline-roadway
synergy, including effects on the pipeline failure rate as well
as consequences of possible failure including ignition by
vehicles, was developed and applied to each of the 108 generic
cases. Both individual and collective risks and their variations
for each of the different combinations were evaluated, and
discussed. Similarly, economic impacts, including increases in
the unit cost of common maintenance, construction, and
reconstruction activities for the road operators were also
identified. A series of conclusions and recommendations was
generated, including definition of compatible and incompatible
combinations of pipeline and location installations in terms of
safety, cost, and constructability; various risk and impact
mitigation measures to enhance safety and reduce costs; and
long-term approaches to optimize the situation. Although
previous studies have been done on the use of common utility and
transportation corridors, no comprehensive quantitative
assessment of risks and economic impacts for representative
combinations of road and pipeline characteristics has appeared
previously, resulting in a significant volume of new
observations and information available from the work reported
herein. The
report can be purchased online at the
TAC bookstore. |
P2010 |
ALTERNATIVE OIL SPILL OCCURRENCE ESTIMATORS FOR THE BEAUFORT AND
CHUKCHI SEAS
CLIENT: Minerals Management Service, United States Department of
the Interior DATE: 2000-2001
DESCRIPTION: The project goals are to develop and apply
alternative methodologies for the assessment of oil spill rates
associated with exploration and production facilities and
operations in deeper waters in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.
The prediction of the reliability (or failure) of systems
without history can be approached through a variety of
mathematical techniques, the most preferable and accepted being
fault trees, and their possible combination with secondary
methods such as Monte Carlo simulation and Bayesian statistics.
Bercha International Inc. identified an optimal methodology for
the prediction of oil spill rates for systems such as those
operational or contemplated for the deeper waters of the
Beaufort and Chukchi Seas in the Alaskan OCS, and is applying
these together with an estimate of their statistical robustness
to these systems in order to generate predictions of oil spill
rates. The procedure will be applied for each of the principal
facility and operation types for exploration and production
operations in the study area.
Click on the thumbnails to view enlarged images.
|
|
Figure 1: General Study Area |
Figure 2: Work Flow Schematic |
|
P9709 |
SAFETY CASE FOR THE SABLE OFFSHORE ENERGY PROJECT
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1997 - 2001
DESCRIPTION: The Bercha Group wa s the prime contractor for the
Concept Safety Evaluation and subsequent safety case of the
Sable Offshore Energy Project, providing overall project
management, conducting the CSE for all onshore facilities, as
well as selected segments of the offshore facilities including
the Straits of Canso crossing and ship/collision probability
assessments associated with the offshore platforms. Bercha
conducted the QRA through a systematic sequence of data
assimilation, hazard scenario development, frequency evaluation,
consequence assessment, risk analysis, risk acceptability
evaluation, risk mitigation measure development, and resultant
or residual risk assessment. For each of the principal facility
components, including marine pipeline, gas processing plant, NGL
Pipeline, NGL Fractionation Plant, and NGL Products Distribution
Terminal. Subsequent QRAs relating to the project were
conducted by Bercha in the area of Statia Marine Terminal risk
assessment, fire and explosion consequence analysis, offshore
escape evacuation and rescue studies, several HAZOP and HAZ-IDs,
and general risk management and safety program development for
the safety case associated with the project. |
P2009
.02 |
TR
AIR BREATHABILITY FOR THEBAUD
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project, Halifax, NS DATE:
2000, August
DESCRIPTION: A probabilistic analysis of breathable atmosphere
in Thebaud TR for various complements was carried out. |
P2009
.01 |
THEBAUD MEG SYSTEM WHAT-IF HAZOP
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project, Halifax, NS DATE:
2000, July
DESCRIPTION: A HAZOP for the Thebaud Monoethylene Glycol (MEG)
pipeline injection system was conducted. The methodology used
was a knowledge-based What-If HAZOP for two principal nodes
comprising the system. |
P2006 |
REVIEW OF CONSEQUENCE MODELS FOR HYDROCARBON PIPELINES
CLIENT: Canadian Energy and Pipeline Association (CEPA)
DATE: 2000-2001
DESCRIPTION: The CEPA Pipeline Integrity Working Group project
includes a review of consequence models applicable to the
modeling of hazard effects resulting from a variety of pipeline
failures. Over the last few years, with the vast increase in
micro-computing capability together with extensive improvements
in software computational, input-output, graphic, and export
capabilities, a considerable proliferation of consequence and
risk models applicable to the petrochemical industry has taken
place. Whereas up to the late-1970s and early-1980s, models were
typically in Fortran, operated in a DOS-based environment, with
the advent of the Windows environment and powerful
computational, programming, and graphic capabilities, a variety
of multipurpose and specialized consequence models applicable to
assessing hazard effects from pipeline failures have become
available. These models vary significantly in their
comprehensiveness, user friendliness, and cost, to mention only
a few factors. Accordingly, a systematic compilation of data on
these models together with a comparative assessment based on
industry established standards was carried out. |
P2003 |
EPCOR ROSSDALE POWER PLANT MODIFICATION RISK ANALYSIS
CLIENT: EPCOR Power Generation Inc., Edmonton, Alberta
DATE: 2000
DESCRIPTION: A quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of the
proposed EPCOR Rossdale Power Plant modification was conducted.
The risk assessment included consideration of the engineering,
construction, and operational parameters of the existing and
modified plant. The primary focus of the risk assessment was
quantification of acute risks to the public. |
P2002 |
INVESTIGATION OF RISKS TO AND FROM HAZARDOUS FACILITIES ADJACENT
TO THE HALIFAX NATURAL GAS LATERAL PIPELINE
CLIENT: Maritimes and Northeast Pipelines
DATE: 2000
DESCRIPTION: The work, a permit condition mandated by the
National Energy Board, involves the assessment of interactive
risks between the Halifax Lateral, a high-pressure natural gas
pipeline, and adjacent hazardous facilities. These hazardous
facilities include liquid propone storage tanks, the Air Liquide
processing plant, various crude oil and other chemical storage
facilities, and railway facilities including a railway yard and
several main line level crossings at locations where the
pipeline is located in the railway right-of-way. The work
consisted of field and remote data acquisition, consequence
modeling of both the pipeline and facility hazards and an
assessment of risk levels associated with the interactive risk
synergy. |
P2001 |
ESCAPE, EVACUATION AND RESCUE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
- Phase 1
CLIENT: Transportation Development Centre
DATE: 2000-2001
DESCRIPTION: A major multi-disciplinary project on the
development of appropriate escape, evacuation, and rescue (EER)
systems for east coast bottom founded and floating installations
associated with the oil and gas industry off the East Coast of
Canada. The work consists of a worldwide literature search,
followed by the development of a risk profile tool, an expected
value and a Monte Carlo simulator, of each component of and the
entire EER process and the integrated process. Consideration of
equipment reliability and human factors in the face of accident
effects, emergency panic conditions, and the entire spectrum of
weather conditions is incorporated. Conclusions will be
generated on optimal systems as well as further research
priorities for both the development of appraisal methods,
technologies, and a regulatory framework for EER provisions in
the study area.
EER R&D
projects Phases I, II, and III-B are described under project
numbers: P2101, P2201,
P2301, P2401, and
P2501. More information can also be found
on our
PBS
downloads
page. |
1999 |
To Top of Page |
P9918 |
EL BIBAN POWER PLANT AND SYSTEMS
RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Centurion International Inc.
DATE: 1999 - 2000
DESCRIPTION: The El Biban Power Plant and associated equipment
for the SEEB Electrical Company in Tunisia, Africa is proposing
the development of a power plant and associated power
distribution system fueled by an offshore oil field located in
the southern Mediterranean Sea just off the coast of Tunisia.
The system is a complex consisting of the wellhead platform,
subsea pipeline, onshore battery and separation equipment,
various interconnecting pipelines, the main power plant and
turbine generator, a high-voltage power line to the STEG
Substation and various supporting facilities. An integrated
downtime risk assessment including both short-duration expected
downtime for maintenance and temporary repairs and potential
catastrophic or major failure downtime risk was assessed. The
work was conducted through the utilization of industry and
proprietary data bases for equipment failure rates, interruption
times, times to repair, environmental data, and general
reliability assessment combined through a probabilistic model
capable of generating expected values and their distributions
through a Monte Carlo procedure.
Click on the thumbnails to view enlarged image.
|
|
Figure 1: General Project Location |
Figure 2: Monte Carlo technique |
|
P9918 |
EL BIBAN POWER PLANT AND SYSTEMS
RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Centurion International Inc.
DATE: 1999 - 2000
DESCRIPTION: The El Biban Power Plant and associated equipment
for the SEEB Electrical Company in Tunisia, Africa is proposing
the development of a power plant and associated power
distribution system fueled by an offshore oil field located in
the southern Mediterranean Sea just off the coast of Tunisia.
The system is a complex consisting of the wellhead platform,
subsea pipeline, onshore battery and separation equipment,
various interconnecting pipelines, the main power plant and
turbine generator, a high-voltage power line to the STEG
Substation and various supporting facilities. An integrated
downtime risk assessment including both short-duration expected
downtime for maintenance and temporary repairs and potential
catastrophic or major failure downtime risk was assessed. The
work was conducted through the utilization of industry and
proprietary data bases for equipment failure rates, interruption
times, times to repair, environmental data, and general
reliability assessment combined through a probabilistic model
capable of generating expected values and their distributions
through a Monte Carlo procedure.
|
P9917 |
ASSESSMENT OF REPORT ON RELATIVE CRITICAL SOUR GAS WELL
RISK ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT DRILLING TECHNIQUES
CLIENT: Energy and Utilities Board
DATE: 1999 - 2000
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the detailed review of an
assessment of the relative risks associated with the drilling of
critical sour gas wells based on overbalanced jointed pipe
drilling and underbalanced jointed pipe or coiled tubing
drilling.
|
P9914 |
ASSESSMENT OF RISKS AT ROAD-RAILWAY CROSSINGS
CLIENT: Code Hunter and Associates
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of the generation of definitive
risk measures associated with a variety of road-railway level
crossings including passive crossings, flashing light and bell
crossings, and gated crossings. The work was based on nation
wide statistics collected from the Transportation Safety Board,
as well as industry confidential statistics provided by the
transportation companies. Results of the work were utilized in
support of a litigation associated with a major railway crossing
accident. |
P9709
.44 |
GOLDBORO GAS PLANT COMPRESSION HAZOP
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: Following the detection of a design fault, a full
HAZOP of the compression facilities was undertaken, facilitated
by Bercha with an SOEP expert team. Due to the complex nature of
the system, the high level of expertise of the team, and the
shortage of time, the initial mode was addressed using a full
guide word HAZOP, but the balance of the nodes and operating
modes were optimally accomplished using a knowledge-based HAZID
approach. Important technical recommendations significantly
improving system reliability were generated from the work.
|
P9709
.43 |
PLATFORM FIREWATER SYSTEM HAZOP
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A full guide word HAZOP was facilitated by Bercha
with an SOEP technical expert team for the entire Thebaud
platform firewater system following a test failure of the
system. The work included a detailed HAZOP of 27 nodes of the
system, and resulted in significant engineering and operational
recommendations.
Click on the thumbnails to view enlarged image.
|
|
Figure 1: SOEP
Location Map |
Figure 2: Schematic of SOEP Facilities |
|
P9709
.42 |
FRACTIONATION PLANT HAZID & CE
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A precommissioning and commissioning procedure
HAZID and Critical Examination of the procedure was conducted
including facilitation of the HAZID with an expert team,
scribing of results utilizing proprietary software, and the
publication of a comprehensive final report describing the
results and recommendations from the work. |
P9909 |
BRISK
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
CLIENT: National Research Council
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: The work included the development of specialized
linear and point source risk analysis software for application
to quantitative risk assessments associated with linear
facilities such as pipelines and highways and point sources such
as gas processing facilities, wellheads, and refineries.
More information on BRISK.
|
P9907 |
CHEVRON GAVIOTA OIL AND GAS PROCESSING FACILITY –
CONDITION R1 REVIEW PROCESS
CLIENT: County of Santa Barbara Energy Division
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A semi-qualitative risk assessment of the risks
mitigation provisions and conditions associated with a variety
(over 12) scenarios for the future of the Chevron Gaviota oil
and gas processing facility.
|
P9906 |
PRODUCTION WELL SSSV RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: Berkley Petroleum Inc.
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: An assessment of the risks associated with
production well blowouts with and without a SubSurface Safety
Valve (SSSV) was conducted. The work included a frequency
evaluation of blowouts, and a detailed probabilistic
cost-benefit analysis associated with the operation of the SSSV
and alternative risk mitigation measures.
|
P9905 |
REVIEW OF INCIDENT REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH WILD ROSE PIPE
CORRIDOR
CLIENT: Kiewit Industrial Canada Ltd.
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A qualitative assessment within the context of the
Suncor rating system was conducted to provide perspective based
on fundamental risk assessment principles on a variety of
incidents associated with activities of Kiewit on the Suncor
construction site. |
P9902
.2 |
HERMOSA BEACH QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: City of Hermosa Beach
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: Risk analysis and engineering consulting services were provided to the
City of Hermosa Beach to assess, recommend mitigation, and
quantify and define risks associated with the proposed MacPherson Oil project in the City of Hermosa Beach.
|
P9709
.42 |
FRACTIONATION PLANT HAZID & CE
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A precommissioning and commissioning procedure
HAZID and Critical Examination of the procedure was conducted
including facilitation of the HAZID with an expert team,
scribing of results utilizing proprietary software, and the
publication of a comprehensive final report describing the
results and recommendations from the work. |
P9709
.41 |
ONSHORE 26” GAS AND NGL PIPELINE HAZOP
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A detailed HAZOP for the NGL pipeline was
facilitated, scribed, and reported by Bercha together with the
HAZOP sessions conducted together with a team of experts from
SOEP and owner companies. |
P9709
.40 |
ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE (ECN) HAZOP
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A high-level knowledge based HAZOP procedure was
facilitated, scribed, and reported by Bercha to ascertain that
document and action integrity be maintained for the Engineering
Change Notices generated and associated follow up procedures. |
P9709
.39 |
NORTH TRIUMPH HAZID/CE
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A precommissioning and commissioning procedure
HAZID and Critical Examination of the procedure was conducted
including facilitation of the HAZID with an expert team,
scribing of results utilizing proprietary software, and the
publication of a comprehensive final report describing the
results and recommendations from the work. |
P9709
.38 |
GOLDBORO GAS PLANT HAZID/CE
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A precommissioning and commissioning procedure
HAZID and Critical Examination of the procedure was conducted
including facilitation of the HAZID with an expert team,
scribing of results utilizing proprietary software, and the
publication of a comprehensive final report describing the
results and recommendations from the work. |
P9709
.37 |
STRAIT OF CANSO PIPELINE CROSSING RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1999
DESCRIPTION: A risk assessment associated with two principal
types of crossing installations for the common trench pipelines
across the Strait of Canso were investigated. The first
installation involved a combination of bottom-lay, trenching,
and successive layer armoring. The second alternative involved
directional drilling. The risk assessment considered both risks
associated with the construction and installation process as
well as operational risks. Both risks directly attributable to
the crossing installation and its operation and intrinsic risks
(such as internal corrosion) independent of the installation
method were assessed and quantified. Conclusions and
recommendations were made. |
1998 |
To Top of Page |
P9809 |
TRANSGAS CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS – REGINA
AREA NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
CLIENT: TransGas
DATE: 1998
DESCRIPTION A consequence assessment for a designated set of
segments of the TransGas pipeline network in the vicinity of the
City of Regina was carried out. The principal technical steps of
the consequence assessment included hazard scenario definition
and quantitative characterization. Consequence evolution and
consequence modeling, consequence potential assessment and
detailed consequence analysis. A total of 11 segments was
studies in detail including the above steps, while a detailed
consequence assessment giving estimates of both casualties and
property damage based on a worst-case situation was also
conducted. Conclusions and recommendations were presented.
|
P9808 |
RISK FROM MAGNETIC LEVITATION TRAINS TO ADJACENT BURIED
STEEL PIPELINES
CLIENT: Donahue and Company Inc., U.S.A.
DATE: 1998
DESCRIPTION: High-level consulting work directed at defining the
risks associated with the operation of Mag-Lev trains parallel
to pipelines. Specifically, effects of the electromagnetic
pulsations associated with the train operation on induced
currents in the steel pipeline were considered together with
mitigation measures.
Following a literature survey of current magnetic
levitation (Mag-Lev) train systems approaching the operational
stage, a preliminary assessment of risks associated with the
operation of Mag-Lev trains had a potential to induce
substantial currents in adjoining steel pipelines and mitigation
measures would have to be taken in order to avoid significant
pipeline damage. |
P9804 |
HERMOSA BEACH PROJECT INTEGRATED RISK ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: City of Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
DATE: 1998
DESCRIPTION: Integrated assessment of the proposed MacPherson
Project to be located in a medium density residential and
commercial area in Hermosa Beach was conducted. The work
consisted of site visits, review of existing reports and data, a
detailed QRA, attendance at stakeholders meetings, and
attendance at public council meetings. The integrated risk
assessment was carreid out in considerable detail to consider
both non-homongenous population densities in space and time, and
a variety of weather conditions in order to assess both
representative and worst-case situations. Integrated risk
measures, including individual risk, risk matrices, and risk
spectra were generated in support of the work and presented at
the city’s Council meeting September 1998. |
P9803 |
ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR HYDROCARBON PRODUCTS
PIPELINE EASEMENTS
CLIENT: Brown, Winfield, and Cansoneri, Union Pacific Railway
DATE: 1998
DESCRIPTION: Assessment of the value of pipeline easements on
Union Pacific Railroad right-of-ways was conducted with special
emphasis on construction, engineering, and risk issues.
Constructibility of pipelines in the vicinity of the existing
pipelines was quantitatively assessed. Engineering issues
involving the operability and design requirements of pipelines
operated in close proximity ranging from common trench
installations to separations in excess of 20’ were considered
and quantitatively and qualitatively described to support the
pipeline easement value assessment. |
P9709
.33 |
SABLE OFFSHORE ENERGY PROJECT HAZOP FACILITATION
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1998
DESCRIPTION: A series of HAZOP sessions was facilitiated by the
Bercha Group including organization of HAZOP team, facilitation
of HAZOP services, and HAZOP reporting. Specifically, HAZOP was
carried out for the specific onshore facilities including the
gas processing facility at Goldboro and the NGL fractionation
plant at Point Tupper. |
1997 |
To Top of Page |
P9709 |
SAFETY CASE FOR THE SABLE OFFSHORE
ENERGY PROJECT
CLIENT: Sable Offshore Energy Project
DATE: 1997 - 2001
DESCRIPTION: The Bercha Group was the prime contractor for the
Concept Safety Evaluation of the Sable Offshore Energy Project,
providing overall project management, conducting the CSE for all
onshore facilities, as well as selected segments of the offshore
facilities including the Straits of Canso crossing and
ship/collision probability assessments associated with the
offshore platforms. Bercha conducted the onshore analysis
through a systematic sequence of data assimilation, hazard
scenario development, frequency evaluation, consequence
assessment, risk analysis, risk acceptability evaluation, risk
mitigation measure development, and resultant or residual risk
assessment. For each of the principal facility components,
including marine pipeline, gas processing plant, NGL Pipeline,
NGL Fractionation Plant, and NGL Products Distribution
Terminal. Subsequent QRAs relating to the project were
conducted by Bercha in the area of Statia Marine Terminal risk
assessment, fire and explosion consequence analysis, offshore
escape evacuation and rescue studies, and general risk
management and safety program development for the safety case
associated with the project.
|
P9704 |
ECONOMIC RISK ANALYSIS OF SCHEDULE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE
ALPINE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
CLIENT: Tri-Ocean Engineering
DATE: 1997
DESCRIPTION: A Monte Carlo simulation of the project time flow,
together with the principal uncertainties associated with a
schedule 1 analysis for a development project on the Alaskan
North Slope was carried out. Principal areas of uncertainty
included those associated with labour requirements and rates on
the North Slope, success of the marine transport of principal
equipment items around Point Barrow (given a 3 to 6 week
ice-free window), logistics and operations on the tundra given a
variability of weather windows for their conduct, and the
integration of all these activities into a total project
schedule risk evaluation.
|
1996 |
To Top of Page |
P9657 |
DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES
IN MALAYSIA
CLIENT: CS Resources Limited DATE: 1996
DESCRIPTION: A high level program for the identification and
development of commercial opportunities for the special
capabilities of CS Resources International within the Malaysian
jurisdiction. The work involved the gathering of reserve,
development, and production data for the Malaya, Baram Delta,
and Sabah Basins and the analysis of selected clusters of fields
within the context of certain operational and economical
parameters capable of being optimally met by the client company.
Work included the design of a detailed presentation for
international audiences showing the highlights of the Malaysian
Development program envisioned. |
P9655 |
ANALYSIS OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL
PRODUCTS PIPELINE ON RAIL ROAD RIGHT OF
WAY
CLIENT: Southern Pacific Transportation Company, California &
Delaware, U.S.A.
DATE: 1996
DESCRIPTION: The provision of expert consultant services in the
area of pipeline engineering, right of way management, and
easement evaluation related to the operation of an existing oil
product pipeline located on a rail road right of way within the
city of Los Angeles. |
P9653 |
ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY RISK THRESHOLDS FOR LAND
USE PLANNING PURPOSES
CLIENT: County of Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A.
DATE: 1996
DESCRIPTION: Work is part of an ongoing program directed at the
enhancement of safety through the incorporation of risk based
guidelines in land use planning regulations. The work included
the development of an objected method for assessing societal
risk in the vicinity of hazardous facilities. The method
developed was based on casualty and fatality risk spectra and
included the development of a detailed procedure for
implementing the guidelines. Technical review, sample
calculations, and attendance at information sessions and
hearings constituted the work.
|
P9650 |
RISK IMPLICATIONS OF HIGH POWER TRANSMISSION LINES IN
PROXIMITY OF PETROLEUM PIPELINES OF
RAIL ROAD RIGHT OF WAYS
CLIENT: Southern Pacific Transportation Company, California,
U.S.A.
DATE: 1996
DESCRIPTION: Vision of expert consulting services and
development of expert testimony relating to the risks and costs
associated with the operation of electrical transmission lines
on a rail road right of way within limits of the city of Los
Angeles. |
P9603 |
INSTITUTION OF TEST METHODS FOR ICE RUBBLE
CLIENT: K.R. Croasdale and Associates Limited DATE: 1996
DESCRIPTION: The Development of a detailed program for the
evaluation of global crushing strength of ice rubble formations
including rubble piles, unconsolidated, semi consolidated, and
consolidated ridges, and pile ups in the vicinity of offshore
structures. Methods included the design of test procedures for
the evaluation of pressure and global forces utilizing existing
test facilities at the institute of ice dynamics and in private
laboratories.
|
1995 |
To Top of Page |
P9524 |
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING FOR HIGH PRESSURE GAS PIPELINE
CLIENT: Hill, Farrrer, and Burill DATE: 1995
DESCRIPTION: Analysis of effects of high pressure gas pipeline
in vicinity of commuter train track, including evaluation of
interaction of pipeline and railway in a track twinning
scenario. Work was conducted through Hill and Company on behalf
of the Orange County Transportation Association, for a location
in Orange County, California, near Newport Beach. |
P9513
.2 |
RISK ANALYSIS OF EXISTING SANTA FE PIPELINE WITHIN
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION
COMPANY EASEMENT
CLIENT: Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison
DATE: 1995
DESCRIPTION: An analysis of the risks to public and worker
safety associated with the operation of a high pressure gasoline
pipeline located in the Southern Pacific Right-of-way, extending
from California to El Paso, Texas, was conducted. Particular
consideration was given to the distinctive effects on risk of
the location of the pipeline within the Right-of-way in close
proximity to a frequently used freight and passenger train
railway track. Risk indices were computed for urban and rural
conditions, and an integrated risk for the pipeline operation
was assessed based on actual conditions along the Right-of-way.
The work served as support for expert testimony by Dr. F.G.
Bercha in litigation between Southern Pacific Transportation
Company and Santa Fe Pipeline Company, in support of Southern
Pacific's position. |
P9513
.1 |
PIPELINE AND FIBRE OPTIC CABLE ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTABILITY
AND RISK ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Brobeck, Phleger, and Harrison DATE: 1993 - present
DESCRIPTION: The project consisted of the preparation and
presentation of expert testimony on the general problem of
construction of new pipeline or fibre optic cable facilities in
the vicinity of an existing high pressure oil products line
located on a railway right-of-way. Studies consisted of the
development of construction scenarios for locations at different
separation distances from the pipeline and associated cost and
risk evaluations. Unit costs were developed for the construction
of new pipeline facilities at spacings ranging from
approximately 1 foot tangent to tangent, to 10 feet and more
from the existing pipeline. Worker and public safety risks
associated with the close proximity construction scenarios were
also conducted, based on construction in urban and rural
conditions surrounding the right-of-way. In addition the
engineering model of a possible equivalent pipeline system form
California to Texas was developed and a replication cost
estimate was generated. The work consisted of analysis computer
modelling, engineering calculations, site visits at facilities
locations in California (Richmond, Benicia, Martinez Merced),
cost estimating reporting, depositions, and presentation of
export testimony.
|
Figure
1: Proximity construction scenario for new pipeline
installation in the vicinity of an existing
high-pressure oil products line located on a railway
right-of-way.
(Click
on image for enlarged view) |
|
Figure
2: Typical plow method installation for fibre optic
cable |
|
P9510 |
JOINT INDUSTRY PROJECT ON RIDGE AND RUBBLE LOADS
CLIENT: K. R. CROASDALE AND ASSOCIATES DATE: 1995-96
DESCRIPTION: A joint-government industry project to develop new
models for the prediction of ridge and rubble loads on fixed
offshore structures. The project has included two sets of ice
tank experiments of ridges being indented by structures, the
development of an in-situ test method for the strength of
rubble, and the detailed investigation of two new methods for
the determination of ridge load, which both involve the full
time analysis of the indentation of the ridge. The project is
also examining the assumption of Mohr-Coulomb behavior of the
ice rubble, the separation of the strength into components of
cohesion and friction, and the physical characteristics of the
ice motion against and around the structure.
|
P9509 |
QUANTITATIVE RISK ANALYSIS OF A PROPOSED COAL HANDLING AND
STOCKPILE STORAGE OPERATION AT
TANJUNG MANIS FOR INCLUSION IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ASSESSMENT
CLIENT: U.P. Environmental Services Sdn. Bhd., Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia
DATE: 1995
DESCRIPTION: An integrated public safety, worker safety, and
environmental risk analysis was conducted for the proposed coal
handling and storage operation located on the Batangiajanj River
at Tanjung Manis in Northern Sarawak, Malaysia. The principal
acute risks studies were those associated with the stockpile
spontaneous combustion and potential dust explosions contained
in a sea-going freighter hold during coal unloading. The work
consisted of the assessment of initiating event frequencies,
potential consequence analysis, and recommendation of risk
mitigation measures. |
P9504 |
ICE LOAD CONCENSUS
CLIENT: K. R. CROASDALE AND ASSOCIATES DATE: 1995-96
DESCRIPTION: A joint-government industry project to achieve
consensus on ice load levels for a number of typical ice load
events. Thirteen groups were asked to predict the load for five
individual load cases, for a single event occurrence, and for
the 1% exceedance load. Bercha have been involved in the
analysis of the predictions including comparisons between the
predicted loads, the methods used, the databases used, and the
estimates of the effects of dynamics, and the 1% exceedance
loads. A workshop between the participants and the predictors
will be held to possibly arrive at some consensus regarding the
methods to be used, the interpretation of databases, and hence
arrive at some narrowing of the range of predictions. |
1994
|
To Top of Page |
P9428 |
PA9428 NON-LINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS 42" PIPE TEES
CLIENT: FOOTHILLS PIPE LINES LTD DATE: 1994-95
DESCRIPTION: Elastic-Plastic analyses of two 42" pipe tees in a
metering station were analysed for changes in the operating
conditions of the natural gas pipeline, of which they formed
part. Preliminary pipe stress analyses had suggested that these
tees were over-stressed under certain conditions, but the margin
was sufficiently narrow to warrant more detailed analysis of the
tees. Finite element models of the pipe tees were developed
using the commercial finite element package, Ansys. Models were
developed using two forms of three-dimensional solid iso-parametric
elements, and iso-parametric shell elements. Analyses were
carried out for the previous operating conditions, and the
proposed new operating conditions. The non-linear behaviour used
was for material non-linearity only, using a von Mises yield
criterion for the steel in the pipes. The results were input
into a fatigue calculation using some estimated load cycles for
the extreme load conditions. It was found that, on a single load
cycle, some non-linearity did occur in the crotch of the tee,
but that it was of very limited extent, Strain hardening was
sufficient to limit stresses in subsequent cycles to the elastic
range. It was concluded that the overall reliability of the pipe
Tees was not compromised by the revised operating conditions. |
P9426
|
NON-LINEAR FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF ICE RIDGE KEEL
BEHAVIOUR
CLIENT: PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1994-95
DESCRIPTION: Non-linear finite element analyses of the
interaction between the rubble in an ice ridge keel and a
cylindrical
structure were undertaken. Analyses were carried out in both
two- and three-dimensions. The rubble was modelled as a Mohr-
Coulomb material with and without dilatancy. The structure was
modelled as a rigid body, and the interface as either having, or
not having, friction. The analysis was carried out assuming that
there existed a continuous solid ice layer on the surface. Two
forms of analysis were carried out: one in which the ice layer
was made to fail against a sloping structure, and the other, in
three dimensions, in which the ice layer was assumed to remain
intact, but in which the ice rubble could slide along the
underside of the ice layer. The rubble's natural buoyancy was
modelled by appropriate mass density and accelerations. Each
analysis was carried out by stepping the far-field of the ridge
towards the structure in preset displacement steps, which the
program automatically reduced as required to achieve equilibrium
and convergence of the solution. Considerable difficulties were
encountered with the curved interface between the rubble and the
cylindrical structure, and particularly where the rubble left
the structure at the back. Very large strains caused the
interface nodes to oscillate between target elements, causing
convergence problems. For extreme ridges (20 meters deep)
maximum loads of the order of 17 MN were obtained. |
P9408
P9418 |
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS AND MODIFICATION OF PUMP MOTOR BASE
CLIENT: FEDERATED PIPELINES LIMITED DATE: 1994
DESCRIPTION: A pump used in an oil pipeline, was experiencing
unacceptable vibrations at speeds within its normal operating
speed range. Field analysis of the pump and pump base had
concluded that the steel base which supported the pump motor may
have been causing the vibrations. A detailed dynamic finite
element analysis of the pump base was undertaken to establish
the frequencies and mode shapes of the fundamental vibration
mode of the base. Although there were modes which would have
caused the forms of deformation being observed in the rotor, the
frequencies of these nodes were higher than the observed
frequencies by an order of magnitude. Structural reinforcement
of the base was designed to limit the amplitudes of these
vibrations. It was finally concluded that the vibrations were
being caused by the rotor itself. |
P9406
P9315 |
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT CROSSING ICE ENGINEERING
CLIENT: PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1993 - Present
DESCRIPTION: A multi-year standing order for the provision of
specialist ice engineering services in support of the design,
construction, and operation of the Northumberland Strait
Crossing. This crossing is the longest bridge in the world
traversing a body of water which is ice covered for a
significant portion of each year. It will be approximately 13
kilometres long, connecting the island province of Prince Edward
Island to the Canadian main land. Northumberland Strait is ice
covered from early January until the third week in April,
although the date of last ice can vary over a period of two
months. Ice is a significant design parameter of the bridge and
its operation, both in terms of ice effects on the bridge and
effects of the bridge on the ice climatology. Bercha was first
retained as a consultant to Public Works Canada in 1986, and
since that time has been evaluating all aspects of the
ice-bridge interaction including ice forces on the bridge,
effect of ice jams, environmental effect of changes in ice
climatology, including microclimactic effects and effects on
local fisheries. Under the present standing order, the work
underway emphasized ice engineering aspects, particularly the
effect of the bridge on ice jams and the adequacy and
reliability of the ice design parameters, including pressures
and global loads, used in the final bridge design.
Click on any of the
thumbnails for an enlarged view.
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Figure 1: View of
Confederation Bridge |
Figure 2: On the Confederation Bridge |
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Figure 3: Location Map |
Figure 4: Pier-Ice Interaction |
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Figure 5: Field Data
Acquisition - SAR Image |
Figure 6: Field Data Acquisition - Ice floe motion
schematic |
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Figure 7: Field Data
Acquisition - SAR Map |
Figure 8: Bridge section profile |
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Figure 9: Structural
form elements |
Figure 10: Bridge piers in ice - during construction
phase |
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9403 |
BRICK DURABILITY ALGORITHM
CLIENT: PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1994
DESCRIPTION: A computer algorithm developed to assess the
reliability of brickwork in buildings was tested. The algorithm
required a considerable amount of environmental data for typical
urban locations in Canada, and the merging of this data to
obtain frequencies of specific combinations of environmental
conditions. Once the data base had been obtained and analysed,
the algorithm was tested for a number of typical locations to
derive the frequency of failure as defined by spalling of the
brickwork. |
1993
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P9324 |
SPECIFICATION OF STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MOBILE ARCTIC
CAISSON, MOLIKPAQ
CLIENT: B. WRIGHT AND ASSOCIATES DATE: 1993-94
DESCRIPTION: A 1/30 scale model of the Molikpaq was to be
developed at the National Research Council of Canada ice tank in
Ottawa. In order to construct the model and to provide the
appropriate instrumentation to permit comparisons between the
ice tank results, and the full scale data acquired during the
structure's deployments in the Beaufort Sea, NRCC contracted to
have the necessary structural characteristics provided. As
Bercha had a long history of developing analytical models of the
Molikpaq, they were asked to provide this information. The
information included the overall stiffness of the structural
system as it was deployed at Amauligak I-65, the relative
stiffnesses of the individual structural components, and the
primary load paths, the mass distribution for the same
deployment, and the dynamic characteristics of the system. The
specification of the dynamic characteristics included the
natural frequencies of the complete system, and major
components, and the level of damping of the various components.
This latter parameter included the estimation of damping with
and without the presence of ice. |
P9321 |
FINITE
ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STACK
CLIENT: MONENCO DATE: 1993
DESCRIPTION: TransAlta Utilities, the owner and operator of the
Wabamun electrical generating plant, and the Alberta
Department of the Environment, wished to create additional
access holes in the largest of reinforced concrete stacks in
order to permit sampling of exhaust gases. Prior to the creation
of the holes, they wished confirmation that the holes would not
critically alter the integrity of the stacks. To do this, a
non-linear finite element analysis of a portion of the concrete
stack was carried out under the effects of extreme operating
conditions, and the design wind pressures. Analyses were carried
out both for the current arrangement of holes and with the
proposed additional holes. The analysis was carried out with a
special purpose non-linear finite element program which
accounted for the tension-weak characteristics of concrete, the
presence of reinforcing steel, and the time dependent behavior
of concrete. The results indicated that the proposed additional
holes did not compromise the reliability of the stack. |
P9310
.01 |
ICE LOAD
SENSITIVITY FOR EAST COAST STRUCTURES
CLIENT: NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD DATE: 1993
DESCRIPTION: Sensitivity of specified environmental ice design
loads in accordance with CSA S471. Carried out simulations of
ice forces from impacts by: icebergs, bergy-bits, and sea ice
with fixed and floating production structures in the Hibernia
area of the Grand Banks. The analyses incorporated energy decay
algorithms for the impact analysis with appropriate energy sinks
depending on the particular interaction. For fixed structures
these included crushing of ice as well as elastic structure
response, and iceberg rotation and translation. For floating
structures, local elastic and permanent deformation of the
structure was included. Data on iceberg frequencies, dimensions,
shape, and velocities were obtained from various sources to
provide the most reliable distributions. For bergy-bits, recent
reported data by Crocker was used for the size distribution.
Sensitivities were carried out on ice strength, iceberg
velocity, and iceberg arrival rate. Of these, the first was found
to have the most effect on the specified design forces, while
the second, velocity, was found to have the least effect. |
P9303
.01 |
RISK BASED SITING AND PERMITTING OF HAZARDOUS ENERGY
RELATED FACILITIES CLIENT: County of Santa Barbara, California Utilities
Commission DATE: 1993-1994 DESCRIPTION: The objective of this study was to develop the
basis for a policy on application of risk analysis in the siting
and permitting of hazardous energy related facilities in the
County of Santa Barbara. General classes of facilities
considered explicitly were oil and gas, automotive fuel, and
electrical facilities. Only acute or immediate risks as opposed
to chronic or long term risks were included in the scope of
work. Fundamentals of risk analysis were reviewed to establish a basis
and terminology for the balance of the work. The general
procedures for implementing risk considerations in the planning
process were then described. Results from a review of the general types of hazardous energy
related facilities which exist or may exist in the near future
in the County of Santa Barbara included: a) classification of the facilities into oil and gas,
automotive fuel, and electrical categories and sub-categories
such as gasoline, compressed natural gas, methanol, and
ethanol stations in the automotive fuel category. b) a brief description of the relative hazardousness of
the principal substances handled by the facilities. c) a general description and summary of the hazards
associated with each type of facility. d) a review of both US and worldwide guidelines and
regulations designed to manage acute risks to the public.
e) a discussion of the role of risk analysis in the
context of the planning processes for the County of Santa
Barbara. f) specific recommendations for the implementation of
the results from this work. |
P9301 |
DEVELOPMENT OF RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE
ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, AND
OPERATION OF HIGH PRESSURE SOUR GAS LINE
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited
DATE: 1993
DESCRIPTION: A risk management program was developed for the
operation of a high-pressure sour gas pipeline from a gathering
system to a sour gas treatment plant. All potential pipeline
system failure scenarios such as thermal stress, differential
settlement, third party effects, and other scenarios identified
in previous studies by the Bercha Group were considered in this
program. These scenarios were prioritized through the
assignment of risk indices, considering probability and
consequence severity, and a series of mitigative measures were
developed and evaluated quantitatively. A specific risk
management plan detailing the mitigative measures, technical
responsibilities, and implementation procedures was then
developed to address each principal risk scenario. Bercha risk
analysts and engineers advised the Shell project and operating
personnel in conjunction with the Shell engineering partner
responsible for design and construction. |
1992 |
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P9231
.01 |
INVESTIGATION OF ICE GROWTH AND DECAY SCHEMES FOR REGIONAL ICE
CLIENT: ICE CENTRE - ENVIRONMENT CANADA DATE: 1992-3
DESCRIPTION: Scientific assessment of existing ice growth and
decay models for possible incorporation in the Multi-Category
Regional Ice Model (MCRIM). A team of experts was assembled to
review possible approaches and recommend models which could be
included in MCRIM without altering the basic dynamic formulation
and which would permit MCRIM to execute in an operational mode.
The experts recommended a two-part approach: the Semtner
zero-layer model for basic ice cover and a wave-driven model for
edge effects. Algorithms were developed and coded into MCRIM as
new subroutines which could be executed as options. All of the
new coding was fully documented. A comprehensive series of
sensitivity analyses were carried out to illustrate the effect
of the new modelling on ice growth and decay at the top and
bottom surfaces of the ice/snow slab. The necessary additional
data to permit MCRIM to run with the new algorithms was
obtained. Further, new data for the verification periods (see PA
9114) was also obtained. The verification procedures for the two
periods for the east coast were run in a series of analyses to
illustrate the effect of the new algorithms on ice edge movement
and ice concentrations.
|
P9231
.02 |
REGIONAL
ICE MODEL THERMODYNAMICS
CLIENT: ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT SERVICES, ICE CENTREDATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: The study consisted of a review of existing forms
of the regional ice model utilized for the prediction of short
and long term ice motion and ice climatology, followed by the
development of specific algorithms for improving modelling
accuracy and efficiency. Model performance was evaluated through
comparison to a series of real time ice observations obtained
from airborne radar and satellite data. |
P9228 |
COMMISSIONING AND START UP OF OPERATIONS
READINESS REVIEW FOR A WORLD SCALE
SOUR GAS PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND TREATMENT PLANT
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited
DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: An operational readiness review was carried out on
a world scale sour gas production and treatment facility at
Caroline to identify any critical deficiencies or concerns in
the commissioning and start up plans. The review team included
risk consultants in addition to independent operating personnel
with instrumentation, operations, and maintenance experience. A
broad cross section of the facilities operating team, including
contractors, was interviewed to identify significant concerns,
which may delay or endanger a smooth start up. The review was
restricted to commissioning and start up and did not address
steady state operations nor did it involve a detailed inspection
of equipment. The review did provide an assessment of the
management systems and implementation program performance.
Results from the operational readiness review included
identification of the principal concerns among the following
categories:
a) Organization,
b) Safety Procedures,
c) Equipment Readiness,
d) Training, and
e) Emergency Response.
Following the identification of concerns, conclusions were
presented which prioritized the concerns so they could be
effectively addressed. In addition, any exceptional aspects of
the commissioning and start up plans as presently being
implemented were highlighted.
|
P9219 |
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT OF FINITE ELEMENT SOFTWARE
CLIENT: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: A series of Finite Element Software programs which
were originally developed as research tools were modified and
augmented to allow their execution on IBM PC compatible
computers. These improvements included, in some cases,
whole-scale modifications to the original code to eliminate
dated Fortran usage and introduce memory management processes
prevalent in desktop PC's. Other improvements included the
introduction of pre- and post-processors which simplified the
preparation of data input, and the interpretation of output
results. These were set up to run under a Windows environment.
Finally, the ability to output results graphically was also
added to the programs. This latter improvement required the
creation of complex data management routines to permit user
control of the results being output, and the orientation and
scale of the plot. |
P9213 |
LEAK HAZARD ANALYSIS OF A HIGHER PRESSURE NATURAL GAS
PIPELINE
CLIENT: Westcoast Energy Inc.
DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: During construction of the new natural gas pipeline
from the mainland to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, there
was concern regarding potential hazards from an industrial
facility located near the pipeline right of way. A study was
therefore carried out to estimate the hazards resulting from any
leak from the pipeline. Safety and property hazard zones, as
defined by delayed or immediate ignition of potential leaks,
were estimated using consequence models. Plume dispersion
calculations were performed using the GASCON 2 model, while the
effects on people from a fire were estimated based on the
approach developed by Considine and Grint and using the probit
equation of Eisenberg. The effects of thermal radiation on
surrounding property were also evaluated using empirical data.
|
P9212 |
PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS OF RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL
DEMAND FOR NATURAL GAS FROM A
REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
CLIENT: Northwestern Utilities Limited
DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: The client contracts for natural gas supply from a
variety of producers, then provides an integrated delivery
system of natural gas to many communities in the north central
region of the province of Alberta. The majority of natural gas
is supplied on an as and when required basis, however a number
of large industrial users contract to specific delivery
amounts. In order to design the gas delivery system including
capacity requirements for underground storage, the client must
estimate the maximum total gas demand, which consists of both
temperature dependent and temperature independent components.
Current designs were developed from worst case scenarios and the
objective of the present study was to convert such criteria to a
probabilistic basis more representative of the factors affecting
the delivery system. An in-depth probabilistic analysis was
therefore carried out on the extensive environmental data bases
and gas consumption records for the client delivery system. The
detailed design criteria for both the temperature dependent and
temperature independent components of the gas load were
evaluated and compared to the total gas load on the system.
|
P9208 |
SIMULATION
AND MODELING SERVICES FOR NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT PROJECT
CLIENT: DELCAN/STONE AND WEBSTER JOINT VENTURE
DATE: 1992-3
DESCRIPTION: Continued work on the Jamming and Break-Up
modelling for the Northumberland Strait Crossing Project as part
of the Ice Committee's mandate to determine the impact of any
bridge on the ice regime. Subsequently examined the winning
design (SCI) and sensitivities of the jamming and break-up
models to winter severity. Consulted with SCI, C-Core, and
independent engineer on the ice forces on the piers, providing
expert advice on the ice conditions in the Strait as well as
executing independent calculations of ice forces for Public
Works Canada. Initial calculations were on the original 8m
cylindrical design and subsequent calculations on various forms
of conical design. Work involved refinement of three-dimensional
conical failure mechanisms for ice sheets with rubble and ridge
keels. Provided advice to Public Works Canada on the reports
from C-Core to SCI and the reports by the independent engineer,
Buckland and Taylor. |
P9206 |
COMPARISON OF RISKS BETWEEN ALTERNATIVE RAIL AND TRUCK
MODES FOR TRANSPORTING LPGs
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited
DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: An investigation was carried out on the risk
impacts from changing the mode of liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
transportation in Eastern Canada from a rail operation to a
truck operation. Of particular interest was the potential
relative change in risk exposure corresponding to a change in
transportation mode. The work was commissioned in phases, beginning with a top
level analysis for management and continuing with a more
detailed analysis providing a site and operation specific
comparison. The preliminary risk analysis provided a management
overview of historical rail and truck accident and release
frequencies, in addition to the distribution of consequence
hazard zones associated with an LPG release. Frequency analyses
for both modes of transportation were based on analyses of
published generic data for the transportation industry in Canada
and North America. The consequence analysis involved both a
statistical analysis of historical accident consequences and
modeling of potential spill consequences in order to determine
the associated hazard distances. The second phase of work continued with a more detailed
analysis of site specific accident data and public exposure
data. |
P9205 |
FINITE
ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STACK
CLIENT: MONENCO
DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: TransAlta Utilities, the owner and operator of the
Wabamun electrical generating plant, and the Alberta
Department of the Environment, wished to create additional
access holes in the two of reinforced concrete stacks in order
to permit sampling of exhaust gases. Prior to the creation of
the holes, they wished confirmation that the holes would not
critically alter the integrity of the stacks. To do this, a
non-linear finite element analysis of a portion of the concrete
stack was carried out under the effects of extreme operating
conditions, and the design wind pressures. Analyses were carried
out both for the current arrangement of holes and with the
proposed additional holes. The analysis was carried out with a
special purpose non-linear finite element program which
accounted for the tension-weak characteristics of concrete, the
presence of reinforcing steel, and the time dependent behaviour
of concrete. The results indicated that the proposed additional
holes did not compromise the reliability of the stacks. |
1991 |
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P9119 |
PRE-COMMISSIONING OPERATIONS AUDIT AND OFFSITE PRELIMINARY
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR A LARGE-SCALE
CRUDE OIL UPGRADING FACILITY
CLIENT: Husky Oil Bi-Provincial Upgrader, Saskatchewan
DATE: 1992
DESCRIPTION: Husky Oil Operations Ltd. as Project Manager of the
Joint Venture partners including Husky Oil, the Canadian Alberta
and Saskatchewan Governments, and HRI constructed the
Bi-Provincial Upgrader (BPU) to produce synthetic crude and
asphalt from a 65%/35% volumetric blend of Lloydminster and Cold
Lake heavy oils, respectively. The study was carried out as
part of the Pre-Commissioning activities for the BPU and
included an operational audit and an offsite risk assessment. A Pre-Commissioning Audit of the BPU was carried out to
ensure operational readiness for commissioning and operating the
facilities through the identification of critical deficiencies
or concerns in the start-up plans. An independent audit team
interviewed a broad cross-section of the BPU staff in order to
identify problem areas, potential difficulties, or concerns,
which had the potential to delay or endanger a smooth start-up
of the facilities. Results included a list of prioritized
concerns in the areas of organization, procedures/safety,
equipment readiness, training, emergency response and unit
specific concerns. These results provided a basis for
pro-active measures to increase the potential for a successful
start-up of a very large and complex process facility. |
P9117 |
DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY PAPER ON GAS
PIPELINE SAFETY
CLIENT: County of Santa Barbara, California Gas Commission
DATE: 1991
DESCRIPTION: The County of Santa Barbara commissioned the
development of a policy paper as part of its continuing efforts
as a regulatory agency overseeing gas pipeline safety. The
objectives of the paper were to provide a perspective on safety
of pipelines by identifying the principal causes of pipeline
accidents, reviewing potential consequences, investigating and
reporting on various ways of introducing the likelihood of
ruptures and consequences, and recommending an optimal safety
enhancement pipeline strategy for the County based on a risk
analysis approach. A systematic approach to the evaluation of
pipeline safety was made through the use of risk analysis.
Practical measures to enhance pipeline safety were developed for
both accident prevention and consequence mitigation.
Measures were identified in the general areas of information
management, regulations, land use, training and education,
right-of-way management, emergency response, and pipeline
operations including design, construction, and operation.
A pipeline safety strategy was recommended based on a systematic
approach to risk reduction. |
P9107 |
EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR CAROLINE SOUR GAS PRODUCTION WELLS,
GATHERING PIPELINES AND GAS PLANT,
SAFETY CASE APPROACH
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited
DATE: 1991
DESCRIPTION: In a previous project, PA8820, an emergency risk
analysis was carried out on the facilities required to develop a
large sour gas reservoir in the Caroline Area of Alberta.
Results included a quantification of risks to provide a basis
for implementing optimum risk mitigation measures. Included in
these measures were impacts associated with emergency response
procedures. Consequence scenarios numerically modeled included
toxic gas, fire, explosion, pool fire, BLEVE, and fireballs. The present project involved integrating the previous risk
analysis work into the planning and implementation of emergency
response procedures. Impacts for risk mitigation associated
with alternative emergency response procedures were analyzed.
Then, results were prepared in order to assist in the meaningful
communication of risk and the effects of applying emergency
response procedures. Explaining the plans for emergency
response was a critical objective of the client because of the
significant public involvement. In addition, industry
technical, operational, and maintenance personnel and regulatory
authorities were also involved in the process of understanding
risk and the implications for emergency response plans.
|
P9102 |
LEAK DETECTION IMPACTS ON PIPELINE RISKS
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited
DATE: 1991
DESCRIPTION: A previous project, PA8314, involved the analysis
of public risks and consequences of a release of sour gas from a
field gathering system. Risks were quantified based on the
potential for a full pipeline rupture and the assumption that
within 5 minutes of such a rupture, the pipeline pressure
sensors would activate line block valves and thereby limit the
size of potential release. In a more recent project, PA8820,
numerical modeling of pipeline releases included the pressure
transient time history, which determines pressure sensor
detection capabilities. Calculations proved that leak sizes
smaller than a full pipeline rupture may result in greater
hazards due to the time response of pipeline pressure sensor
detection. The effects of such a scenario on the risks
previously estimated for the PA8314 project were assessed in the
present project. Results included an analysis of the relative individual
risk between a full pipeline rupture and various pipeline leaks.
The impact of leak detection directly affected the individual
risk results. |
1990
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P9026 |
ICE
BREAKUP MODELLING FOR NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT
CLIENT: DELCAN/STONE & WEBSTER DATE: 1990/91
DESCRIPTION: The work undertaken in this project was carried out
in association with a committee of ice experts to develop
predictive models for the influence of the construction of a
bridge across Northumberland Strait on the length of the ice
season and the characteristics of the breakup season. Two
approaches were developed, one based on a correlation between
ice volume and the length of the ice season, and the other based
on an analytical model of the ice breakup season itself. This
latter model included the effects of ice transport, underside
decay, and topside decay of the ice cover. The model was
developed such that the influence of a bridge could be
determined through its effect on transport of ice between zones
within the Strait. The model was supported by a comprehensive
dataset of wind events, tidal velocities, air temperatures, and
solar radiation. The model was hindcast against 20 years of
records of breakup seasons in which the model was verified at
intervals throughout the season, as well as at the date of last
ice. The results of the hindcast analysis were excellent
illustrating a very high level of correlation between actual and
analyzed results. Using the breakup model as developed, a series
of simulations, each involving 1,000 years, was then run for a
variety of bridge configurations. For each analysis, the model
was executed for the breakup season both with and without the
bridge and the difference in dates of last ice used to establish
the impact of the bridge upon the length of the ice season in
the Strait. The results of these simulations indicated that, on
the average, the presence of the bridge tended to accelerate the
breakup due to the increased underside melting of ice blocked
from passage by the bridge. The extreme results indicated very
slight delays in ice-out of the order of one day.
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P9019 |
RISK ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATE DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIES FOR A NEW TAR SANDS MINE
CLIENT: Syncrude Canada Ltd.
DATE: 1990
DESCRIPTION: Syncrude Canada Ltd. operates an extremely large
oil sands mining, extraction and processing operation some forty
kilometers north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. In order to
maintain or expand current production levels, it will be
necessary to open up a new mine and an engineering screening
study was carried out to identify, evaluate, and select for
subsequent more detailed assessment in the design basis
memorandum phase, the most promising integrated mining,
transportation, and extraction systems. As part of the engineering screening study, the Bercha
Group provided consulting services to develop and implement a
risk assessment program. A large number of options or
alternative designs were studied, and one of the ranking
criteria was to screen high priority options according to risk.
The risk assessment program identified and evaluated the major
technical, implementation and operational risks associated with
each integrated system alternative, in order to determine if any
risks were of sufficient magnitude to affect capital and
operating cost estimates. A ranking index was developed based on a
comparison of the alternative design with that existing in
current operations. Results from the risk assessment were
included as one of the criteria used to rank the most promising
conceptual engineering designs for future mine development.
|
P9018 |
RISK ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF OPERATING FACILITIES
CLIENT: Esso Petroleum Canada
DATE: 1990
DESCRIPTION: The client was embarking on a program to promote
operational excellence in all of its diverse operating
facilities throughout Canada. It was decided to include a
preliminary risk assessment survey of all facilities and this
project involved the development and presentation of an
intensive training program for the client survey team.
Technical personnel were recruited from all regional operations
and introduced to the program concepts through written
materials. All members then met as a team in one location to
take an intensive three-day training course and workshop.
Following the training session, the Bercha Group provided
consulting services for each of the teams as they carried out
their surveys. The training workshop began with lectures on risk
assessment principles, including definitions and applications.
The suite of preliminary risk assessment methods, such as What
If analysis and risk logic diagrams, were then presented.
Following a review, workshop assignments provided the practical
experience necessary to actually undertake the required
surveys. Finally a full blown preliminary risk analysis was
carried out on an actual facility through role assignments
within the classroom setting.
|
P9015 |
RELIABILITY STUDY OF COAL STOCKPILES REQUIRED FOR
ELECTRICAL THERMAL PLANTS
CLIENT: TransAlta Utilities
DATE: 1990
DESCRIPTION: As the Provincial Regulatory Body, the Public
Utility Board questioned the coal stockpile inventory maintained
at four thermal plants operated by two utility companies. In
essence, costs had to be justified in terms of the risks
associated with not supplying the required demand. The reliability of each thermal plant's stockpile was
analyzed based on the mining process used to feed each of these
stockpiles. The overall process material flow was divided into
sequential events which represented the chronology of operations
carried out to deliver coal to the stockpile. Operations logic
diagrams were derived to assess the sequence of operational
events and available contingency action steps should the
material flow be interrupted. The impact of each operational
problem was characterized by the shortfall in rate at which coal
was stockpiled and the length of time of disruption. All
significant material flow interruptions were then analyzed in
terms of varying levels of contingent action and existing
redundancies incorporated in both design and operations. The
scope of analysis included the complete cycle from planning
through excavation, to stockpiling. |
P9012 |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR PROPOSED EXPANSION OF
THE ALBERTA SPECIAL WASTES
TREATMENT CENTRE
CLIENT: Alberta Special Waste Management Corporation
DATE: 1990/91
DESCRIPTION: Previous projects, PA8519, PA8420, PA8410, and
PA8008 all involved various risk analyses which were carried out
for different Government of Alberta departments to support the
program being developed to treat hazardous wastes within the
province. The above referenced project, PA9012, was a
continuation of the previous risk assessment work and was
required to support an EIA for a proposed expansion of the
existing waste treatment centre. Special or hazardous wastes
are collected from generators throughout the province and
transported directly or through transfer stations to the
treatment centre located in Swan Hills, Alberta. The proposed
expansion involved a substantial increase in the volume of
hazardous wastes being transported on Alberta roadways and
therefore a revised transportation risk assessment was included
in the proposal EIA. In addition to the accident and spill
analyses, consequence analysis of potential spills of hazardous
wastes for both the public and environment were included in the
scope of work. Risks associated with the existing operation
were compared to those estimated for future operations of an
expanded facility. Results from the risk assessment were
published in the EIA documents and then were presented and
defended during public hearings.
|
P9011 |
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP STUDY OF 21
DEW LINE SITES IN CANADA
CLIENT: Canadian Commercial Corporation, on behalf of The United
States Air Force
DATE: 1990/91
DESCRIPTION: As part of the 1985 agreement between Canada and
the United States to modernize the North American Air Defence
System, the Dew Line System is being replaced by the North
Warning System. An environmental clean-up study of the 21 Dew
Line Sites was commissioned in order to identify and investigate
areas impacted by past waste disposal and spills and to
determine and evaluate alternatives for the disposal of waste
and remediation of spill areas. A baseline risk assessment was
carried out to document the magnitude of potential health and
environmental risks at each of the 21 Dew Line sites and to
provide a site specific quantification of risks to provide the
basis for developing cleanup strategies. The baseline risk assessment methodology was based on
that developed by the U.S. E.P.A. in their Risk Assessment
Guidance for Superfund. The results of the baseline risk assessment were
quantitative and qualitative characterizations of risk based on
site specific exposure and toxicity assessments. Both
non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were characterized for
each contaminant at each site. Non-carcinogenic hazard
quotients were estimated to compare the level of site
contamination to the potential hazard level. Finally,
carcinogenic risk was estimated in terms of the incremental
probability of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime
as a result of exposure to the site.
|
P9009 |
MOLIKPAQ
MODELLING, PHASE VII, FINAL MODEL TUNING AND VERIFICATION
CLIENT: GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED DATE: 1990
DESCRIPTION: The objectives of this final phase of the
development of a non-linear lumped mass model for the Molikpaq
involved the verification and final tuning of the model on the
basis of a series of actual ice interaction events monitored in
1985 and 1986. Before carrying out the final model tuning, all
aspects of the model were thoroughly reviewed to ensure the
appropriateness of the various stiffness, mass, and damping
values being used. The sensitivity of the model output to
various analysis parameters was determined prior to the actual
analyses being carried out. The objective of this phase was to
carry out a series of analyses of actual events in which only
the properties of the ice sheet were varied, reflecting the
actual conditions during interaction. The same structural model
for the caisson, core, and berm, was used throughout. The
results were highly encouraging in that excellent agreement was
obtained between analytical and measured values of accelerations
and displacements for a variety of locations throughout the
structural system. The correspondence between both the period,
and the amplitude, of the response was excellent, as was the
overall shape of the response. The results indicate that it is
possible to develop simple analytical tools capable of modelling
complex non-linear dynamics of offshore marine structural
systems.
|
|
Figure 1: The Molikpaq |
Figure 2: Example finite element model schematic
section (Click on image to enlarge) |
|
1989 |
To Top of Page |
P8910 |
BRIDGE /
ICE / CLIMATE / FISHERIES INTERACTIONS AND CORRELATIONS -
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT CROSSING PROJECT
CLIENT: DELCAN/STONE AND WEBSTER JOINT VENTURE DATE: 1989
DESCRIPTION: This project is carried out jointly with Washburn
and Gillis, Fredericton, New Brunswick, and P. Lane &
Associates, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The project objective is to
carry out a series of correlations between a variety of
parameters in order to clarify the relationship between the
construction of a bridge in Northumberland Strait, the ice
climate, the marine and atmospheric climate, and the fishing
industry in Northumberland Strait. The project involved the
acquisition of information on atmospheric climate, water
temperatures, ice regimes, and species landings for five species
of fish and shell fish in Northumberland Strait. A series of
interactions were carried out to obtain possible correlations
between the fish landings and the various physical parameters.
In conjunction with the ice jamming model developed in previous
studies, these correlations would permit the effect of the
bridge to be incorporated into the analysis through
perturbations of the ice regime. The project also developed a
loop model which related the various physical parameters to the
marine food cycle in Northumberland Strait in order to obtain
qualitative relationships between the physical parameters and
the productivity of the various fisheries. The qualitative loop
models were verified against the findings of the various
correlations. It was found that the length of the ice season in
Northumberland Strait was significantly related to the severity
of the ice season and the wind conditions prevailing during the
ice clearing period. Further, it was found that, although there
was no significant relationship between the severity of the ice
season and the cumulative freezing degree days for the region,
if the wind regime during the winter was included in the
correlation, then the combination of these two independent
variables provided an excellent model for the severity of the
ice season.
|
P8908 |
CONSULTING
SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS - NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT CROSSING
PROJECT
CLIENT: DELCAN/STONE AND WEBSTER JOINT VENTURE DATE: 1989
DESCRIPTION: This project involved the provision of expert
consultative services to Public Works Canada during the
preliminary hearings by the Federal Environmental Assessment
Review Panel on the completeness of the data for the
environmental assessment of the Northumberland Strait Crossing
Project. The project required presence at all of the Public
Hearings and the provision of responses to technical questions
put by the Review Panel. Further, the project required the
provision of consultative services to Public Works Canada and
the Delcan/Stone and Webster Joint Venture together with other
expert consultants on potential deficiencies in the data as
identified by the Panel, and through discussions with the Panel.
|
P8905 |
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT RIDGE SURVEY - FIELD PROGRAM AND TEST
PROGRAM
CLIENT: DELCAN/STONE AND WEBSTER JOINT VENTURE DATE: 1989
DESCRIPTION: The principal objectives of this project were to
obtain certain kinematic and mechanical information on the
nature of ridges in Northumberland Strait. The information was
required primarily to confirm that interactions between the
proposed bridge piers and ridges represented the most
significant ice load feature in Northumberland Strait. The work
involved a field program in March of 1989 in which a variety of
measurements were made on nine ridges with very high sails in
Northumberland Strait. These measurements included measurements
of ridge heights, depths of consolidation, in situ temperatures,
as well as the acquisition of a large sample of ice from the
consolidated portion of each ridge. One of the ridges was also
surveyed underwater by a team of divers with underwater video.
The samples of ice obtained from each ridge were then used for a
series of laboratory investigations to determine some of the
characteristics of the ice contained in the consolidated layer
of each ridge. These tests included strength tests in two
orthogonal directions, evaluations of ice density and salinity,
as well as crystal structure determinations. The results
provided an extremely comprehensive understanding of the
kinematic and mechanical characteristics of ridges in
Northumberland Strait. It was found that although consolidated
depths of up to 1.8 metres were encountered, these layers were
not entirely consolidated and significant voids were obtained in
all cores. The results of the strength tests indicated that the
ice in Northumberland Strait is not unlike first year ice in
other regions of the world. The results of this investigation
supported the consideration that the parameters being used to
determine the ice ridge forces on the bridge piers were not
unrealistic and were suitably conservative. |
1988 |
To Top of Page |
P8827 |
MOLIKPAQ
MODELLING, PHASE V, FREQUENCY ANALYSIS, FILTERING AND DAMPING
EFFECTS
CLIENT: GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: This project is the fifth phase in a series of
projects to develop, test and apply a simple lumped mass model
of Gulf Canada's Mobile Arctic Caisson, the Molikpaq. The model
has been developed to provide an analytical tool which will
readily analyze the interactions between the Molikpaq and an
interacting ice floe. These interactions are primarily dynamic
and involve complex ice-structure interactions and complex ice
behaviour at the interacting face. This project was primarily
directed at clearing up a number of outstanding issues which had
not yet been addressed and hence verifying the model results by
carrying out a series of analyses of actual ice events during
1985 and 1986. During these events, the instrumentation system
on the Molikpaq had been used to acquire a considerable amount
of data on the response of the system to the interacting ice
floes. These responses, mainly the acceleration and displacement
responses, were used as the basis of the model verifications.
One of the objectives of this current phase was to code a filter
system which would duplicate the filtering system inherent
to the data acquisition system on the Molikpaq. This analytical
filtering system would then permit more realistic comparisons to
be made between analytical results and measured responses. A
further objective was to provide some realistic measure of the
amount of damping available through radiation damping within the
plane of the ice sheet. This damping was included in the ice
model prior to the comparisons between the measured responses
from actual events and the comparable analytical results. Four
events were used for comparison purposes, representing a wide
range of load frequencies, load amplitudes, and ice properties.
A single structural representation was used for all events with
only the appropriate ice properties being changed between
events. The analyses were carried out for a two node
representation of the structure and subsequently for a more
complex 25 node representation of the structure. The results
were presented in an Interim Report and a Final Report. |
P8820 |
EMERGENCY RISK ANALYSIS OF CAROLINE SOUR GAS DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT
CLIENT: Shell Canada Limited
DATE: 1989
DESCRIPTION: The client was proposing to develop a very large
sour gas reservoir in the Caroline area of Alberta, which
contained natural gas, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), and natural gas
liquids. This development was to cover a large region and an
accidental release of reservoir fluids represented a potential
public hazard due to the toxicity of hydrogen sulphide and the
flammability of natural gas liquids. Risk analysis work
generally following a Safety Case approach to quantify these
hazards was initiated at the earliest engineering phases and was
included as an integral part of the development plans through to
regulatory approvals. Risks for all principal release scenarios
were quantified by integrating the probabilities of releases
with information related to release characteristics, plume
dispersion, and human response in order to estimate the annual
probability of being exposed to a fatal concentration of H2S or
an explosive mixture of natural gas liquids. Detailed modelling
work was carried out to define risk parameters and provide the
basis for implementing optimum risk mitigation measures. These
measures were then included in the plans for design,
construction, operation and management of the project
facilities. The risk analysis work was documented in both
technical reports and summaries used for public communications.
Expert testimony was provided for an extensive public hearing,
which was required for regulatory approval of the development
application. Finally, risks were evaluated for a competing
application at the hearings, which concluded with regulatory
approval going to our client's application. |
P8819 |
CONSULTING
SERVICES RE: NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT
CLIENT: PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: The work carried out in this project involved the
technical evaluation of the proposals submitted to Public Works
Canada in response to the call for tenders for the construction
of a fixed link crossing between Prince Edward Island and New
Brunswick. The technical evaluations carried out in this project
included evaluations to determine the influence of the proposed
bridge structure on the ice regime in Northumberland Strait, and
the ice forces used for the design of the same bridges. The
technical evaluations were carried out on the basis of the
requirements of the original bid package and the previous
studies carried out by Bercha and Associates on the problem of
ice jamming in Northumberland Strait. The review process was a
two part process in which each of the tendering consortia were
advised of any possible short-comings in their proposal and
provided with an opportunity to revise their proposals
accordingly. A second round of reviews were then carried out.
The review process also considered the impacts that the proposed
bridges would have on the fast ice regime in Northumberland
Strait, including possible extensions to the fast ice, and any
delays in clearing of the fast ice. Although results were
submitted to Public Works Canada and the consultants to Public
Works Canada on an on-going basis, a Final Report was prepared
once the evaluations had been completed. |
P8811 |
NUMERICAL
MODELLING OF ICE-STRUCTURE INTERACTION RESPONSE OF THE MOLIKPAQ
CLIENT: GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: This project was Phase IV of an on-going project to
develop a dynamic non-linear lump-mass model of Gulf's Mobile
Arctic Caisson, the Molikpaq. This project was essentially an
extension of previous work carried out as projects PA8716,
PA8704, and PA8609. The principal objective of this project was
to integrate into the previously developed lumped mass models
for the Molikpaq, a model for the ice sheet. The ice model was
based on work carried out by Gulf Canada Resources Limited in
conjunction with British Petroleum, to provide a rheological
model for the behaviour of the intact ice sheet, and the
pulverized ice layer between the ice sheet and the structure.
The integration of the ice model was carried out in a series of
stages, which included altering the solution technique used with
the ice model to accord with that used with the structure model.
The structure model consisted of a series of lumped masses
connected by elements capable of representing both elastic
response and inelastic response. The steel caisson was assumed
to behave elastically under all conditions of loading, both
static and dynamic, whereas the interface between the caisson
and the sand core and berm was provided with a non-linear
response capability to model the potential for slip between the
caisson and the sand and to model the non-linear behaviour of
the sand, particularly shear softening, under dynamic loading.
The structure model was also provided with a series of
foundation elements which were able to model the interaction
between the sand berm and the seabed. The response of the
structure model was validated with a series of static ice
interactions with the Molikpaq. The ice model consisted of a
series of elements which modelled the in-plane elastic behaviour
of the ice sheet, the radiation damping within the plane of the
ice sheet, and the highly non-linear behaviour of the crushed
layer of ice created between the ice sheet and the steel caisson
of the Molikpaq. This behaviour included sudden crushing of the
intact ice sheet and the creation of pulverized ice, and the
viscous extrusion of the pulverized ice under the action of
continued motion of the ice sheet which included some cohesive
strength. The ice model was analyzed on its own, with a single
node representation of the structure, and with a two node
representation of the structure. A series of parametric studies
were carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the results to
various parameters of the ice model. Finally, the results
obtained from the combined model, including a two node
representation of the structure, were compared with the data
obtained from the prototype measurement system, during an actual
ice interaction event. A comparison between the measured and
analyzed responses was quite good considering the very simple
level of structural modelling being used at this stage. |
P8807 |
SPECIALIZED NON-LINEAR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS COMPUTER SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT
CLIENT: ALBERTA TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: This project involved the modification,
development, and testing of a series of nine structural
engineering
programs as marketable software for use on microcomputers. The
project was a cost share project, 50% supported by the Alberta
Government, and 50% supported by Bercha and Associates. The
original programs were available from the University of Calgary
where they had been developed as research tools, executable on
mainframe computers. Preprocessor programs were developed for
each of the nine structural engineering programs to provide user
friendly and interactive capability for the input of the
required data. Preprocessors included graphic display of the
structure, and full edit capability. The programs were fully
tested for error checking, admissibility of the data, and for
all possible ranges of data combinations. Post processors were
developed for each program which permitted the results of the
program analysis to be displayed in graphic form both on the
screen, and by plotter. User manuals for each of the programs
were developed which provided a concise and clear description of
the program capabilities, the information required, and provided
examples of the application of each program. |
P8805 |
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT CONSULTING SERVICES
CLIENT: PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: For this project, the company was retained by
Public Works Canada to act on their behalf in monitoring the
acquisition program by McLaren Plansearch to obtain ice,
oceanographic, and meteorological data during the winter of 1988
within Northumberland Strait. In this role, the company reviewed
the original proposal and made a series of trips to Halifax and
Northumberland Strait to view the facilities and hold meetings
with McLaren Plansearch personnel on progress of the program.
Progress reports were submitted to the project manager with
Public Works Canada at regular intervals. |
P8803 |
NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT BRIDGE PROBABILISTIC JAMMING ANALYSIS
CLIENT: PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: The work carried out in this project involved a
major extension of the model developed under the previous
project, PA8703. This extension involved considerable
redevelopment of the jamming model to include effects of
consolidation, synergistic effects during the analysis of a
single winter, and evaluation of areas of ice blocked. All of
these developments were included in the model in a probabilistic
fashion in keeping with the entire emphasis of the jamming
model. Sensitivity studies were carried out to ascertain the
influence of particular ice and bridge structural variables on
the amount of ice jammed from which it was determined that the
two principal structural variables, span length and pier
diameter had an extremely significant effect on the amount of
ice jammed.
Finally, an analysis was carried out using the most up-to-date
information on ice properties in Northumberland Strait, using a
six metre diameter pier, with a variety of different span
lengths. The results of this analysis indicated that spans in
excess of 175 metres would result in acceptably low amounts of
ice being jammed. The analysis also determined what effect the
ice blocked would have on the length of the breakup season.
Analysis was carried out of five breakup seasons for which
information was available and it was ascertained that there was
a clear relationship between the ice concentration at the
beginning of the breakup season and the length of the breakup
season itself. Further analysis provided the conclusion that the
length of the breakup season was more significantly affected by
the environmental conditions during that period of the year. |
1987 |
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P8718 |
RISK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR BASIC
ENGINEERING DESIGN OF TARSANDS MINING AND PROCESSING PLANTS MEGA-PROJECT
CLIENT: Syncrude Canada Ltd.
DATE: 1987
DESCRIPTION: The largest tarsands mining and processing facility
in the world is operated by the client some forty kilometres
north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. A major expansion project was
initiated for this facility and work began with a design basis
memorandum describing criteria for the preparation of
engineering design specifications. Fourteen consultants from
across Canada were then commissioned to provide basic
engineering design specifications for major facilities proposed
for expansion. Over twenty new facilities and numerous
modifications to existing facilities were proposed to develop
the mines, install a new energy efficient extraction and froth
treatment plant, and integrate new hydroprocessing and
hydrotreating plants to improve the yield in quality of
synthetic crude oil without increasing sulphur emissions. |
P8717
.01 |
INSPECTION
OF MV MISCAROO AND LASER SURVEYS
CLIENT: TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT CENTRE DATE: 1988
DESCRIPTION: As an extension to the previous project, this
project involved an inspection of the MV Miscaroo while
dry-docked in Vancouver in July 1988. The inspection involved a
complete survey of the condition of the hull and the acquisition
of approximately thirty latex impressions of examples of
corrosion of the hull. These impressions were then surveyed
using a scanning laser system as well as a mechanical
measurement system. The results of the two systems were compared
and the results of the entire survey were included in the data
base used in the main project, PA8717. This survey of the hull
which had been coated with Inerta 160 during the vessel's
previous dry-docking in 1985 showed that no significant
corrosion had taken place since then. The condition of the
coating was excellent. However, the coating was removed in a
number of locations and it was found that in the years of
operations prior to 1985, significant corrosion had taken place
in some locations of the hull. There was also some examples of
extreme corrosion at the interface between stainless steel and
regular steel on the Kort nozzles. |
P8717 |
CORROSION
OF MARINE STRUCTURES AND VESSELS OPERATING IN ARCTIC WATERS
CLIENT: TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT CENTRE DATE: 1987 - 1988
DESCRIPTION: The objectives of this study were to provide
recommendations and guidelines for operators of steel
arctic-going vessels on means of accounting for the severe
corrosion that has been experienced to date. The work involved
the accessing and analysis of the data base on corrosion
acquired by Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. This data base had been
acquired from periodic maintenance inspections of Gulf's
Beaufort Sea fleet of icebreakers and drilling vessels. The data
base also included results obtained from corrosion coupons
purposely deployed on vessels in the Beaufort Sea. The data base
included the measurement of the manifestations for corrosion as
well as all of the required backup information on steel grades,
operating history, welding procedures, corrosion protection
measures, et cetera. From the analysis of this data, a measure
of corrosion severity was established. The general types and
severities of corrosion were then used as input to analytical
analyses of the residual strength of components of the various
vessels. These analyses included the strength of uncorroded
sections as well as the strength of corroded sections including
the effects of material loss and brittle fracture due to knife
edge corrosion particularly of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ). The
comparative strengths of the corroded and uncorroded sections
were then used to determine the effect of corrosion on the
probability of failure and factors of safety for those
components. The results of these analytical studies were then
used to formulate guidelines for use in the design, operation,
and maintenance of arctic-going vessels based on levels of
corrosion and degrees of safety. |
P8716 |
DEVELOPMENT OF SIMPLE MODEL OF MOBILE ARCTIC CAISSON, MOLIKPAQ -
PHASE III
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Corporation DATE: 1987
DESCRIPTION: This project was an extension of work carried out
for Gulf Canada Resources Limited under previous projects PE8609
and PE8704. These projects were directed at the development of a
methodology and the initial assignment of values to obtain a
simple lumped mass model of the Molikpaq, its caisson, core, and
berm. The model was designed to permit accurate analytical
determination of the response of the structure to ice loads in
both static and dynamic modes. In this phase, the 25 node, and 2
node, models previously developed were subjected to a series of
sensitivity analyses to tune their responses to applied ice load
functions. The sensitivity of the results was determined in some
detail and the results tuned against data obtained from the
instrumentation system onboard the Molikpaq for actual ice
interaction events. Due to the simplicity of the model, the
comparisons were only made for responses which were not highly
location dependent. Principally, these responses included
displacements and accelerations at various points throughout the
structural system. The models were tuned for static events, for
natural frequencies, and for dynamic response. A detailed
analysis of the added mass and damping effects of the water in
the ballast tanks of the caisson was undertaken. The Final
Report presented the entire findings of the analysis together
with appendices indicating the nature of the analytical
responses obtained, the dynamic characteristics of the models,
and an analysis of the added mass and damping coefficients
within the ballast tanks. |
P8707 |
MOLIKPAQ
ANALYSIS FOR 50-YEAR ICE LOADS
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Limited DATE: 1987
DESCRIPTION: For its 1987 deployment, Gulf's Mobile Arctic
Caisson, the Molikpaq, was to be set down at lesser water depths
than previously, and the sand core was to be consolidated. As a
result of these modifications in the deployment of the Molikpaq,
concerns were raised regarding the stresses that would occur at
various locations within the steel caisson. The work carried out
involved static 3-dimensional analyses of the complete caisson
with core and berm under the action of the 50-year return period
ice forces. The 3-dimensional analysis for the complete
structural system was carried out using a non-linear finite
element package on a Cyber 205 supercomputer. The software
package underwent significant modification to utilize the vector
processing capability of the Cyber 205. The analysis was carried
out using load increments and non-linear modelling for the
interface between the steel caisson and the sand of the core and
the berm. In order to simplify the complex structural
arrangements of the steel caisson, a series of macro elements
was developed in which each macro element encompassed a portion
of the caisson between main bulkheads and between horizontal
diaphragms. The stiffness of each macro element was developed
using a linear elastic finite element program, SPAST, and
involved significant finite element modelling in its own right.
The results of the large 3-dimensional analyses were used as
input to small 2-dimensional finite element models of portions
of the caisson structure. The primary concern involved the
in-plane stresses within the soil face of the caisson. Stress
contours of portions of the soil face were obtained as a result
of the two levels of analysis and compared with allowable design
conditions. In general, although the calculated stresses were
high, it was ascertained that these stresses were not
unacceptably high. |
P8705 |
FINITE
ELEMENT MODELLING OF MOLIKPAQ FOR INSTRUMENTATION ANALYSIS
CLIENT: GULF CANADA CORPORATION DATE: 1987
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a
comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model of the
Molikpaq including core and berm and the interpretation of the
results of a static analysis of the model to identify global
load paths. From this interpretation of the results, the
proportions of ice load transferred to the core, transferred
around the caisson, and transferred to the berm through the
caisson base were determined. Subsequently, a detailed finite
element analysis of a single bulkhead was carried out in order
to permit stresses to be evaluated at points corresponding to
the strain gauge locations used as part of the on-board
instrumentation package. Comparisons between the results of the
finite element analysis and the strain gauge instrumentation
were used to further verify the analysis and to test the use of
simple algorithms for the interpretation of the strain gauge
results and finally, prediction of ice forces. Excellent
agreement was obtained between the analytical results and the
measured results for some of the strain gauges on each bulkhead,
whereas poor results were obtained for other gauge locations. It
was determined that the stresses at particular gauge locations
were highly sensitive to the vertical location of the ice load
on the bulkhead. As this location could only be inferred from
the ice load measurement panels on the caisson face, it was
concluded that only results from gauge locations at which the
stresses were largely insensitive to the vertical location of
the ice load should be used for ice load determinations. |
P8704 |
DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE MODEL FOR THE MOBILE ARCTIC CAISSON,
MOLIKPAQ - PHASE II
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Corporation DATE: 1987
DESCRIPTION: This work involved the development of two specific
models of the Molikpaq, one extremely simple and one slightly
more complex for use with the numerical model developed in Phase
I of the project. The work included the assignment of specific
values to the various components of each model using only linear
analysis, and the verification of the results through comparison
with the response measured through the comprehensive
instrumentation scheme onboard the Molikpaq. The numerical
values were fine-tuned such that accurate values of natural
frequencies and static response parameters were obtained by the
two levels of modelling. |
P8703 |
IMPACT OF
PROPOSED NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT CROSSING ON LOCAL ICE REGIME
CLIENT:
PUBLIC WORKS CANADA DATE: 1987 - 1994
DESCRIPTION: The principal objective of the work was the
determination of the frequency and severity with which ice jams
would occur against the piers of the proposed Northumberland
Strait Bridge Crossing and the forces exerted by ice on the
bridge piers. Secondary objectives included an evaluation of ice
motion within Northumberland Strait, evaluation of modifications
of the ice cover characteristics in Northumberland Strait and
evaluation of any possible impacts on the micro-climate and
hence the potato crop of Prince Edward Island. The work involved
an analysis of the properties of the ice cover in Northumberland
Strait and the development and application of various algorithms
to predict the occurrence of jams between piers and their
duration. This was achieved through determination of the
probability of a jam occurring and the probability that the
resulting jam would survive the subsequent environmental
clearing mechanisms. It was concluded that the proposed bridge
configuration would not have a significant effect on the ice
regime in the Strait but that the pier spacing had a very
significant effect on these conclusions and thus was a critical
element in the analysis. |
1986 |
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P8609 |
DEVELOPMENT OF SIMPLE MODEL OF MOBILE ARCTIC CAISSON, MOLIKPAQ
CLIENT: GULF CANADA CORPORATION DATE: 1986
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a simple
numerical model for non-linear dynamic analysis of Gulf
Canada's Mobile Arctic Caisson, the Molikpaq. The model consists
of a number of lumped masses in three dimensions connected by a
variety of springs and dashpots representing the mass of the
caisson, the elastic and inelastic response of the various
components of the Molikpaq, and the viscous and hysteretic
damping response, respectively. The project included the
development of the necessary computer algorithms for the
solution of the non-linear dynamic equations of equilibrium
utilizing Gulf's HP300 series microcomputer. All components of
the algorithm were fully tested through the application of the
resulting program to a number of simple models in two and three
dimensions utilizing linear, non-linear, static and dynamic
analysis. |
1985 |
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P8527 |
FINITE
ELEMENT ANALYSIS FOR LOCAL AND GLOBAL ICE LOADS
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the testing of F.G. Bercha and
Associates (Alberta) Ltd. ice finite element system through the
evaluation of local pressures and global loads on the Molikpaq
ice wall during floe impacts. The Molikpaq wall was modelled as
a uniformly rigid wall while the ice floe was modelled using
both uniform (homogenous) properties and random (inhomogeneous)
properties. Various trajectories were considered and a special
case of a circular caisson was evaluated.
|
P8526 |
DYNAMIC
MODEL OF THE MOLIKPAQ
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a
three-dimensional dynamic model of GCRI's mobile caisson island,
the Molikpaq. The model is to be eventually used to analytically
determine the effects of ice impacts on the caisson island and
to predict the caisson response. The model was developed using
three-dimensional macro elements of sections of the steel
caisson combined with brick elements representing the core and
the berm. The model was tested in static mode, for natural
frequencies and under simulated dynamic load and was verified
against the instrumentation output obtained by GCRI through the
Molikpaq's operating history. |
P8524 |
ICE SCOUR
METHODOLOGY STUDY
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the review, analysis and
evaluation of alternate ice scour methodologies directed at
optimizing pipeline burial depth within a risk optimization
perspective. Following a comprehensive review of all available
information, the relevant ice scour parameters were ranked in
accordance with their significance. Methodologies were reviewed
with respect to parameter completeness, technical acceptability,
and definition of uncertainties. Results include definition of
alternate methods of approaching a scour problem, generation of
comparative results, and final recommendations on the preferred
methodology. |
P8516 |
ICE
INTERACTIONS WITH WINTERIZED AKER D-6 SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE
CLIENT: Aker Engineering A/S DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the determination of ice loads
on, and the resulting response of, a specially winterized
version of the Aker D-6 semi-submersible designed for operations
in marginal ice zones. Marine ice interactions included sheet
ice in crushing and flexure modes and rubble pile loads. Static
loads and simulated dynamic response loads were evaluated. An
advance finite element analysis utilizing state-of-art ice
rheology modelling was used in the determination of local
pressures on the column shell walls. As the D-6 may operate in
berg infested waters, interactions with bergy-bits were
evaluated. These included high speed impact pressures on the
column shell walls and the evaluation of the effectiveness of a
patented bergy-bit deflector. |
P8513 |
PROBABILISTIC ICE ATLAS FOR CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
CLIENT: Marathon Oil DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a
comprehensive ice engineering manual for application in Arctic
and marginal ice zone offshore areas. Specifically, the project
involved the generation of seasonal ice zone maps for each of
the designated study areas, description of the representative
ice zones in graphical and tabular format, quantification of
kinematic and mechanical properties, definition of data and
methodology gaps, calculation of ice loads for all
representative structure types for each study area and season,
and generation of a final report consisting of an ice atlas and
a textual description. The study areas covered included the
entire Alaska offshore from the Aleutian Islands throughout the
Bering Strait, the Chukchi Sea, around Point Barrow, to the
U.S./Canada International Boundary. All ice kinematic and
mechanical properties and all resulting ice loads are presented
in probabilistic form for return periods of 1 year, 10 years, 30
years and 100 years. |
P8511 |
AMMONIA STORAGE VESSEL RISK ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Esso Chemical Canada
DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The scope of work included an evaluation of
potential ammonia releases within the complete manufacturing and
distribution system operated by Esso Chemical. Ammonia is a
toxic chemical and due to the inventory of material handled by
Esso and the geographic distribution of their facilities, there
was concern for potential public exposures.
A risk analysis was carried out to define the
potential risk problem and quantify the risks of potential
ammonia losses throughout Alberta and Manitoba. Included in the
scope was an analysis of the transportation of ammonia, the fate
of releases during transportation, loading, storage, and
unloading, and finally, a quantification of the consequences for
the affected public. Site specific risk analyses were carried
out for the manufacturing facility and a number of field
agencies in Alberta and Manitoba. One particular concern
included in the detailed analysis was the potential for brittle
fracture failures in the storage vessels. The analysis
concluded with an assessment of potential risk mitigation
measures. |
P8508 |
RISK ANALYSIS OF PRESSURE VESSEL RUPTURES
CLIENT: Esso Resources Canada Limited
DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of a systematic analysis of the
risk of ruptures due to brittle fracture of pressure vessels.
Catastrophic failures of pressure vessels due to brittle
fracture occur rarely and the general objective of the work was
to present a methodology for quantifying and analysing such rare
risks. The risk analysis program included the identification of
potential event sequences resulting in a vessel rupture; the
development of a fault tree logic structure; the quantification
of risks of a vessel rupture and the evaluation of the
sensitivity of risk to its major components. Physical property
criteria for brittle fracture were utilised as a basis to
analyse in detail a specific group of pressure vessels within
Esso's operations. |
P8506 |
ANALYSIS
OF PRESSURE VESSEL RUPTURES
CLIENT: Esso Resources Canada Limited DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of a systematic analysis of the
risk of ruptures due to brittle fracture of pressure vessels.
Catastrophic failures of pressure vessels due to brittle
fracture occur rarely and the general objective of the work was
to present a methodology for quantifying and analyzing such rare
risks. The risk analysis program included the identification of
potential event sequences resulting in a vessel rupture; the
development of a fault tree logic structure; the quantification
of risks of a vessel rupture and the evaluation of the
sensitivity of risk to its major components. Physical property
criteria for brittle fracture were utilized as a basis to
analyze in detail a specific group of pressure vessels within
Esso's operations. |
P8504 |
TESTIMONY ON MOBILE PCB DISPOSAL FACILITY
CLIENT: London Occupational Safety and Health Group
DATE: 1985
DESCRIPTION: The work involved testimony at the Ontario Ministry
of the Environment Hearings on mobile PCB destruction facilities
in Ontario. The testimony was based on previous risk analytic
work associated with the transportation to treatment of
hazardous waste substances and with transportation and storage
of PCBs for disposal at a cement plant. Following a brief
description on the objectives and methodology of risk analysis,
a review of the above-mentioned risk work was presented.
Specific comments were then presented on risks associated with
mobile PCB disposal operations, which were being reviewed in the
hearings for regulatory purposes. |
1984 |
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P8417 |
POST-FAILURE ASSESSMENT OF RISK TO WHARF DUE TO ICE LOADING
CLIENT: Department of Public Works - Supply and Services Canada
DATE: 1984
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the application of previously
documented ice-structure interactions to a wharf in the Baie de
Chaleurs off the Gaspe Peninsula which failed in 1973 due to ice
encroachment. The work included the interpretation of ten years
of ice data for the region from public sources, resulting in
probability distribution curves for ice kinematic properties for
the site. Local meteorological records were also reviewed. The
wharf was structurally analyzed to evaluate failure loads and
the two sets of data compared to give the life of the structure
and the failure risk. In an additional volume, general
approaches to probabilistic ice loads and structural risk were
described.
|
P8416 |
LOCAL ICE
PRESSURES IN ICE-STRUCTURE INTERACTIONS
CLIENT: Department of Public Works - Government of Canada DATE:
1984
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a refined
analytical model to accurately predict local ice pressures. The
model incorporated all the known influences on ice rheology and
ice-structure interactions. The resulting rheological models
were incorporated in a non-linear, finite element program to
allow advanced analysis of a variety of ice-structure
interactions in both static and dynamic states. The rheology
used is completely strain-rate dependent, features both
isotropic and planar anisotropic behaviour, and is capable of
modelling tension cracking. The resulting coding is fully tested
and was supplied with a comprehensive user's manual. The model
was used to evaluate ice pressures in interactions between thick
uniform ice sheets and vertically sided structures. The
modelling included modelling of both the ice sheet and the
structure and was carried out using displacement increments
until complete plastic flow of the ice sheet occurred. |
P8415 |
GRAVITY-BASED STRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION FOR ICEBERG IMPACT
CLIENT: Northern Construction Company Limited and Delta Marine
Consultants B.V. DATE: 1984
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of preliminary engineering
design of gravity-based structures, qualitative and quantitative
analysis of GBS-iceberg interactions, and detailed analysis for
selected designs. The detailed analysis was carried out
utilizing two levels of finite element modelling; the first, a
preliminary plane strain model, and the second, an advanced
dynamic nonlinear model, giving both global and local pressures.
Two specific structure types generated interactively between the
FGBAL and construction teams were reviewed in detail and final
load calculations carried out utilizing the FGBAL finite element
programs. The result was a set of unique structural systems
optimized for a Hibernia location in terms of iceberg impact,
ocean loading, and operational requirements. |
P8414 |
AN
INVESTIGATION OF LOCAL ICE PRESSURES ON GRAVITY BASE STRUCTURES
- PHASE II
CLIENT: Petro-Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1984
DESCRIPTION: This project is derived from a requirement by the
client to have an understanding of the local contact stresses
and the resulting local structure response for various forms of
gravity-based structure planned for the Hibernia development.
The contact stresses result from iceberg impact and, due to the
highly confined nature of the ice at the impact zone, a
3-dimensional finite element development was adopted. As the
pressures and forces result from impact, the analysis was also
dynamic, resulting in the requirement for a time-dependent
solution. The resulting model incorporated both of these
characteristics and used a state-of-the-art formulation for the
failure of ice in multi-axial stress states. The advanced
non-linear iceberg finite element model is based on real time
dynamic interaction. All forms of energy dissipation of the
initial iceberg kinetic energy, ice deformation and crushing,
local structure deformation and global structural deformation
are included, as well as advanced material models for rheology.
Pre- and post-processors for the finite element package have
been prepared. The program was used to carry out a series of
analyses on various structural concepts being considered for the
gravity base structure for the Hibernia development. For these
analyses, the finite element modelling included both the iceberg
and portions of the outside wall and the supporting cellular
structure. Analyses were carried out on a two-dimensional plane
strain model of a horizontal slice of the system. The results of
the analysis emphasized the importance of appropriate modelling
of the ice but also indicated that the structural stiffness
played a secondary but nevertheless significant role in
dictating ice contact pressures. |
P8410 |
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSPORTATION
TO TREATMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE SUBSTANCES
CLIENT: Alberta Special Waste Management Corporation
DATE: 1984
DESCRIPTION: An analysis was carried out of the risks associated
with the truck transportation of liquid hazardous wastes from
the various generating sites in Alberta to the proposed Swan
Hills treatment plant. The work was an update to a previous
risk analysis (P8008) undertaken for the Environmental Council
of Alberta. Three scenarios of waste volume distributions were
included in the analysis to determine the yearly probability of
a spill accident based on 1979, 1980 and 1982 Alberta accident
statistics.
|
P8407 |
THE INFLUENCE OF ICE ON THE RELIABILITY OF PRODUCTION
SYSTEMS IN THE HIBERNIA OIL FIELD
CLIENT: Petroleum Directorate - Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador
DATE: 1984
DESCRIPTION: The investigation of the effect of ice on the
reliability of proposed Hibernia production systems included
identification of ice parameters which are significant
determinants of system design criteria and evaluation of the
effects on system reliability resulting from uncertain estimates
of ice parameters and ice loadings. Risk analytic methodologies
were developed and applied in the risk and reliability analysis
of an example floating production system. |
P8401 |
AN
INVESTIGATION OF LOCAL ICE PRESSURES ON GRAVITY BASE STRUCTURES
- PHASE I
CLIENT: Petro-Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1984
DESCRIPTION: The work was directed at the development and
application of a preliminary numerical model for the evaluation
of local pressures during iceberg-gravity based structure
interactions. An extremely comprehensive review of all
literature pertinent to icebergs and iceberg-structure
interactions in the Hibernia area offshore Newfoundland was
carried out. A number of models were developed for kinematically
different impacts. These models were used to evaluate the
effects of variations of a number of previously identified
parameters on interaction loads and pressures. The output was
purely deterministic but a sufficiently wide range of parameters
and their values were considered to allow detailed conclusions
regarding local pressures to be drawn. |
1983 |
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P8317 |
ICE-STRUCTURE INTERACTION: ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
CRITERIA
CLIENT: Department of Public Works - Supply and Services Canada
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: The work involved development and compilation of a
marine ice load evaluation manual for the determination of total
ice loads and ice load distributions on offshore structures with
emphasis on gravity-based structures. The work was based on the
analytical determination of total ice loads on various types of
bottom-founded structures and on the numerical determination of
the local peak pressures and their distribution. The numerical
analysis was carried out utilizing a non-linear finite element
program. Included in the work was an analysis of ice properties,
structural parameters, development of interaction theory and
generation of representative interaction loads.
|
P8315 |
RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR SWAN HILLS
AREA MISCIBLE FLOOD
CLIENT: Federated Pipe Lines
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: An assessment of the risks to human safety as a
result of the conversion of an existing oil pipeline to high
vapour pressure, natural gas liquid (NGL) service was carried
out. Results included fault tree representations of accident
scenarios and consequential events, an estimate of the
probability of NGL release, presentation of risk spectra showing
probabilities associated with potential casualty expectations,
assessment of proposed risk mitigation measures and comparison
of the proposed pipeline risks with commonplace casualty risks
which were familiar to the public.
|
P8311 |
ECONOMIC RISK FROM SOUR GAS WELL DRILLING BLOWOUTS IN ALBERTA
CLIENT: Energy Resources Conservation Board
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: The work involved an investigation of economic
risks as an extension to the previous risk analysis of sour gas
drilling blowouts in Alberta described under P8303.
Principally, the scope of work was intended to demonstrate the
order of magnitude and trend distribution of tractable economic
risk. The investigation included analysis of blowout event
statistics, definition of physical consequences, classification
of damage consequences by severity of blowout, quantification of
economic risk and ranking of risk mitigation measures by their
benefit-to-cost ratio. |
P8308 |
RISK ANALYSIS OF DRILLSHIP UNITS OPERATING OFFSHORE
LABRADOR
CLIENT: Petroleum Directorate - Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: A risk analysis of the operations of drillships and
dynamically positioned semisubmersibles involved in exploration
offshore Labrador was carried out to identify the principal
scenarios associated with human, environmental, and property
risks. Work included the generation of risk scenarios
associated with drilling operations, mobilization and
demobilization to and from the drillsite, and ancillary
operations supporting the drilling operations. Emphasis was
placed on human risks and causal sequences for accident
scenarios threatening human safety were analyzed using fault
trees. On the basis of the risk analysis, risks were ranked and
the risk mitigating effect and implementation costs of specific
safety enhancement measures were analyzed.
|
P8306 |
ARCTIC TANKER RISK ANALYSIS - EXTENSION
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd.
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: Certain aspects of a previous risk analysis carried
out by FGBAL (P8013) of the proposed crude oil Arctic tanker
system were refined and further studied. The work included the
development of a probabilistic risk model associated with
maneuverability and stopping capabilities of the Arctic tankers
as well as detailed sensitivity studies on a number of design
modifications, including hull, machinery, navigational
hydrocarbon development in the Beaufort Sea, included the risk
work on their Environmental Impact Statement and FGBAL personnel
defended the risk analysis in the associated hearings.
|
P8304 |
PROGRESS PLANT RISK ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Shell Canada Resources Limited
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of the generation of a complete
risk analysis of principle risk-prone components associated with
a particular gas plant project. Specifically, the
implementation schedule and associated partnership participation
components of the project were isolated and analyzed both
independently and interactively. Techniques utilized in the
analysis included Delphi, fault tree, and Monte Carlo methods.
The emphasis of the risk analysis was on development of
applicable decision-making tools and procedures.
|
P8301 |
ICE-STRUCTURE INTERACTION DESIGN MANUAL
CLIENT: Amoco Petroleum Company
DATE: 1983
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a
comprehensive ice engineering manual for application in Arctic
and marginal ice zone offshore areas. Specifically, the project
involved the generation of seasonal ice zone maps for each of
the designated study areas, description of the representative
ice zones in graphical and tabular format, quantification of
kinematic and mechanical properties, definition of data and
methodology gaps, calculation of ice loads for all
representative structure types for each study area and season,
and generation of a final report consisting of an ice atlas and
a textual description. The study areas covered included the
entire Alaska offshore from the Aleutian Islands throughout the
Bering Strait, the Chukchi Sea, around Point Barrow, to the
U.S./Canada International Boundary. |
1982 |
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P8218 |
ICE
STRUCTURE INTERACTION
CLIENT: Amoco Production Company DATE: 1982
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of the generation of a
comprehensive ice atlas providing probabilistic ice interaction
loads for the Alaska offshore continental shelf. Ice kinematic
and mechanical properties were assimilated and tabulated for all
ice features on the Alaskan OCS from the Aleutian Islands to the
Beaufort Sea. Probabilistic ice properties were used to
determine probable static ice loads were calculated with
sufficient reliability to allow evaluation of costs for Alaska
OCS lease sales.
|
P8215 |
ANALYSIS
OF INTERACTIONS OF ICE COVER WITH A SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE DRILLING
UNIT
CLIENT: Joint Industry Project: Participants: Texaco, Conoco,
Union DATE: 1982
DESCRIPTION: The work included the development of a mathematical
model and generation of results for the interaction of ice cover
with the columns of a semi-submersible drilling unit operated in
marginal ice zone areas. Specifically, the work included
state-of-art documentation, environmental and operational
parameter definition, theory development, generation of
numerical results for representative semi-submersible vessels,
and detailed reporting. Extensions of the work included detailed
investigation of bridging and non-linear phenomena. Bridging
phenomena associated with pile-up formation and sustenance of
stable rubble bridges among the columns was investigated
utilizing principals of linear and non-linear stability. The
effects of non-linear responses of the mooring systems were
included in the form of sensitivity coefficients in the linear
mooring system response. |
P8208 |
ICE LOAD
RELIABILITY ANALYSIS SYSTEM
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1982
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of an ice load
risk analysis system applicable to the reliability analysis of
offshore structures in ice infested waters. The principal
structure type analyzed was a caisson island in moderately deep
water at a site in the South Beaufort Sea. The work essentially
included the development of failure scenarios leading to risk to
capital and operating costs and human life. Following definition
of the scenarios, associated structural response probabilistic
measures and the associated probabilistic ice loading conditions
were quantified. Synthesis involved association of all failure
modes, response spectra, and causal spectra through
probabilistic fault tree and event tree networks leading to a
probabilistic quantification of the reliability of the
installation within the Arctic offshore environment. |
P8201 |
ICE-STRUCTURE INTERACTIONS - ALASKAN OCS
CLIENT: Phillips Petroleum Company DATE: 1982
DESCRIPTION: The work involved generation of a reference manual
for planning, evaluation, and preliminary design of structures
in marine ice-covered waters in selected areas of the offshore
continental shelf of Alaska. The work was relatively
comprehensive, spanning the definition of ice properties for
each of the principal lease areas, calculation of ice loads, and
generation of structural concepts for different offshore service
conditions. The work included definition of ice properties and
associated structural concepts for a range of water depths in
lease areas in the South Beaufort Sea, the Chukchi Sea, Norton
Basin, Bristol Basin, Navarin Basin, and the St. George Basin. |
1981 |
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P8121 |
NORWEGIAN
REFRIGERATED GRAVITY ICE ISLAND
CLIENT: Husebye and Olsen DATE: 1981
DESCRIPTION: The work involved coordination and management
activities directed at bringing together a viable consortium for
the development of a patented system for the generation of
ice-reinforced structures applicable to oil exploration in
Arctic ice-infested waters.
|
P8118 |
CDU ICE
MANAGEMENT SIMULATION
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1981 - 1982
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the development of a predictive
Monte Carlo simulator of ice cover and its interaction with an
ice management program associated with the operation of the
moored conical drilling unit on location in the South Beaufort
Sea. The ice cover was rigorously simulated utilizing a hybrid
deterministic/Monte Carlo technique which resulted in the
generation of continuously varying ice cover representative of
various seasonal periods from freeze-up to break-up. Features
simulated included pressure ridges, multi-year floes, and ice
sheets of various thicknesses. The cover generator was developed
on the basis of cumulative distribution functions for the
characteristic ice cover parameters obtained by reducing data
available from GCRI. The operational component of the simulation
involved the Monte Carlo modelling of the cover at a level or
condition which the CDU can tolerate. The work included ice
cover simulator design, ice management program analysis, and the
generation of both sensitivity, predictive, and specific
scenario forecast results. |
P8114 |
ANALYSIS
OF THE NORWEGIAN ICE GRAVITY PLATFORM
CLIENT: Aker Engineering A/S DATE: 1981
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the evaluation of the
interactions of a special refrigerated structure with the Arctic
environment through its construction, installation, and
operational phases. Specifically, risk to the structure
associated with operational ice loads, with free-floating and
seasonally variable ice cover, and with maximum return period
ice loads was evaluated. The principal components of the
structure are to be constructed on the west coast, and the
logistics of a tow around Point Barrow during the ice-free
summary window were considered. |
P8109 |
ICE LOAD
RISK OF SPECIAL ARCTIC DRILL BARGE
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Inc. DATE: 1981
DESCRIPTION: The work involved the probabilistic evaluation of
interactions through a spectrum of interaction modes associated
with dynamic ice cover interacting with a special moored Arctic
drill barge. Interactions involving first-year ridges,
multi-year ridges, multi-year floes, and level ice were
described by means of interaction equations in probabilistic
form. Loads associated with a probabilistic severity
distribution were generated. The probability of structural
survival was then quantified on the basis of cumulative
distribution function inputs and scenario fault trees. |
1980 |
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P8014 |
A
PROBABILISTIC STUDY OF ICE LOADS ON CAISSON ISLANDS
CLIENT: Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. DATE: 1980
DESCRIPTION: The work consisted of a review of statistical
analysis of available ice properties in the south Beaufort Sea
and their application as inputs to a probabilistic analysis of
ice loads on a contemplated Caisson Island in the 60-foot water
depth range in that area. The probabilistic analysis was
developed on the basis of FGBAL in-house expertise, utilizing
the statistical property inputs, and used to generate a series
of probabilistic load spectra, including return period
considerations, for the full load range scenarios envisioned for
the island.
|
P8006 |
GENERAL
ARCTIC RETAINERSHIP
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1980
DESCRIPTION: High level technical consultations to Dome in
specific areas of Arctic engineering including the following:
(a) Optimal offshore structure program development for
production structures.
(b) Development of ice load instrumentation system for a
structure to serve for an exploration platform and as a basis
for an instrumented platform giving large-scale ice
measurements.
(c) Development of optimal ice management program associated
with offshore production atoll to permit feasible shipping and
logistics operations.
(d) Development of optimal Arctic environmental information
retrieval system for operational support for exploratory and
production operations. |
P8005 |
ARCTIC
MARINE ICE FIELD SAMPLING, LABORATORY TESTING, AND ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Sohio Petroleum Company DATE: 1980
DESCRIPTION: The work included the recovery of ice blocks from
the ice cover in the Prudhoe Bay area in areas adjacent to
future drillsites, in locations expected to coincide with C-axis
oriented ice. Strategic samples were prepared in the laboratory
from the blocks taken in the field, evaluated for crystal
orientation utilizing crystallographic methods, and tested for
compressive strength at various strain rates and orthogonal
directions in order to ascertain the effect of C-axis
orientation on strength. A detailed statistical correlation
analysis and development of strength functionals was carried out
using as a basis the data generated through the program. |
1979 |
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P7912 |
ANALYSIS
AND SYNTHESIS OF EXXON CONE TEST DATA
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1979
DESCRIPTION: Raw and semi-processed data from a series of small
prototype 30° monocone ice interaction tests were reviewed,
processed, and applied to the development and verification of
certain mathematical models of the interactions. These
interactions involved sheets, consolidated ridges, and
consolidated and unconsolidated rubble piles. A new mathematical
model for the interactions of ice rubble with rigid structures
was developed and corroborated with the model test data. Both
prototype and full-scale predictions were generated on the basis
of the work.
|
P7910 |
LNG
TERMINAL DESIGN FOR ELLEF RINGNES ISLAND - PETRO-CANADA
CLIENT: Genstar Construction Limited DATE: 1979
DESCRIPTION: Provision of Arctic expertise to a design
consortium for evaluation of alternative LNG terminal schemes to
be located at Ellef Ringnes Island. Navigational ice conditions
evaluation, ice management at terminal, construction and
operational logistics, and preliminary engineering of wharf and
terminal structures were included. Ice conditions were obtained
from review and interpretation of aerial photomosaics
supplemented by black-and-white panchromatic imagery. Several
alternate routes and terminal configurations were studied.
|
P7907 |
DESIGN
CRITERIA FOR CAISSON ISLAND PLATFORM SYSTEM
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1979
DESCRIPTION: Deep water post-tensioned concrete vertical-sided
cylindrical caisson island loadings for governing iceload
conditions in the south Beaufort Sea were established. The work
involved qualitative review of interactions, design philosophy
recommendation, and generation of applicable load spectra for
specific structures.
|
P7906 |
STUDY OF
ICE LOADS ON ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS
CLIENT: Sohio Petroleum Company DATE: 1979
DESCRIPTION: Establishment of design criteria for artificial
islands for hydrocarbon wildcat and production drilling in
shallow waters off the Alaskan north coast. Three types of
islands were considered; namely, vertical-sided and slope-sided
caissons, ice-reinforced gravel, and conventionally reinforced
gravel islands. Remote sensing information for three consecutive
winters covering the Prudhoe Bay lease area was analyzed to
provide a basis for ice kinematics. A variety of ice formations,
including sheets, rubble piles, ridges, and ice islands, as well
as ice conditions ranging from landfast to dynamic states were
considered. Output was in a form amenable to structural
designers.
|
P7905 |
EVALUATION
OF ARCTIC PLATFORM SYSTEMS
CLIENT: Chicago Bridge and Iron Company DATE: 1979
DESCRIPTION: Provision of specialist consultant services for
evaluation of various proprietary structural concepts for
offshore structures in Arctic waters. Work involved concept
review, calculations, and generation of ice properties and
interaction loads for the concepts under consideration.
|
P7903 |
ICE-HULL
DYNAMIC INTERACTION ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Melville Shipping Ltd. DATE: 1979
DESCRIPTION: A theoretical and experimental investigation
directed at improving predictions of dynamic ice-hull
interaction
loads generated during ice-breaking transits by Class 7 Arctic
LNG carriers through the Northwest Passage. The work emphasized
time-dependent nonlinear dynamic Arctic marine ice action on
hull, including consideration of scale effects, nonlinear
velocity effects on constitutive law, and interaction dynamics.
The experimental program included application of high-speed
fracture mechanics photography and strain monitoring techniques. |
1978 |
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P7825 |
LATERAL
ICE PRESSURE ICEBREAKING RESISTANCE STUDY
CLIENT: Melville Shipping Ltd. DATE: 1978
DESCRIPTION: Estimate of the added resistance to icebreaking LNG
tanker movement on Arctic route due to wind- and current-induced
ice pressure. The work involves the integration of ice pressure
effects into the ice-ship interaction equations for a spectrum
of conditions likely to be encountered along the route. Review
of environmental data, including remote sensing, field sampling,
and model test results, ship design parameters, route and
schedule constraints was carried out to generate major inputs to
the analysis.
|
P7823 |
THERMAL
DISTRIBUTION ICE MANAGEMENT DRILLSHIP CANOPY
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Limited DATE: 1978
DESCRIPTION: Preliminary engineering and logistics design,
including structural, mechanical, and naval design and logistics
planning for structural canopy to be deployed at perimeter of
drillship in order to maintain an ice-free area in the
neighbourhood of the drillship during shorefast drilling
operations in the south Beaufort Sea. |
1977 |
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P7717 |
ARCTIC ICE
CONTROL STRUCTURES SMALL-SCALE PROTOTYPE DESIGN AND SUPERVISION
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd. DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: Certain structural components associated with the
small-scale prototype testing of ice control devices to be used
in drillships were designed and integrated into an experimental
program utilizing a 100 ft. long supply vessel in the Arctic
Ocean. Work included design and supervision of portions of the
experiment as well as specialist consulting on thermodynamic and
ice mechanics aspects of the problems. |
P7715 |
ARCTIC
SINGLE-POINT MOORING (SPM) SYSTEM
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: The work entailed the preliminary engineering,
logistics, and cost estimates for an offshore Arctic
single-point mooring system capable of operating at a water
depth of 200 feet. An optimal steel structural form was
developed and designed. The system had build into it integrally
a quick disconnect capability and integrated ballasting
facilities to permit mobility in the case of threat of ice
islands. |
P7712 |
ARCTIC
OFFSHORE LNG TERMINAL
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1977 - 1978
DESCRIPTION: Utilization of a steel caisson contained artificial
island for the purpose of an LNG plant and storage terminal was
investigated. The work involved a preliminary design, logistics,
and cost estimates for the construction of the primary island
and transfer of a complex LNG barge facility from the ocean
surface to a secure location within the island. |
P7710 |
ARCTIC
MARINE TERMINAL MODULATION
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: Schedule and cost estimates associated with a
feasible modularized construction procedure for Arctic marine
terminals suitable for the 50 - 200 foot water depth were
generated. A constant storage capacity of 3,000,000 barrels was
prescribed. Modifications to previous preliminary designs to
facilitate modularization of the ring and tank wall were carried
out. The construction procedure evolved about fabrication of the
modules in the south, barging of these modules to a sheltered
Arctic assembly facility where they would be joined into the
ring and tank walls, and a short tow to and installation at the
ultimate site. |
P7709 |
ICE-SHIP
INTERACTIONS EXPERIMENT DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd. DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: An analytical and field investigation directed at
developing a better understanding of the interaction between a
moored ship and stable ice cover was carried out. The analytical
work entailed development of a mooring line response simulator,
ice-ship interaction theory, and incorporation of the analysis
into a computer program which generates mooring line tensions
and ship motions for given impinging ice conditions. Numerical
sensitivity studies of different eight-point mooring system
configurations minimize ice tensions for all probable ice
encounter directions. Field corroboration, utilizing a
full-scale operating situation for certain parts of the analyses
was carried out. Project activities included specialist
consulting, experiment design and production of an experimental
manual, procurement of equipment, experimental management and
supervision, analysis of results, and production of a final
report. |
P7707 |
ARCTIC
MARINE TERMINAL (150 - 200 FT. WATER DEPTH) PRELIMINARY DESIGN
AND LOGISTICS
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: A preliminary design and order-of-magnitude
estimate of costs and schedule for a structural ring-enclosed
island type oil storage and marine terminal for 150 and 200 ft.
water depths in the Beaufort Sea. A variable storage
requirement, from 0 to 3,000,000 barrels of crude oil, was
investigated. The terminal can accommodate two million barrel
capacity tankers with beams of 170 feet and drafts up to 90
feet. The analysis of the ice-soil-structure interaction carried
out for PE7705 above was utilized. Novel forms were necessary in
order to counteract the large moments and localized forces
imposed upon the terminal structure by prevailing Arctic ice
conditions. Conceptual design, cost estimating, and construction
logistic aspects of the investigation were carried out in
conjunction with appropriately qualified contractors. |
P7706 |
UNDERWATER
OIL CONTAINMENT VESSEL ANALYSIS INTEGRITY STRESS ANALYSIS
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd. DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: A design for large membrane vessel for containing
oil blowout discharges was reviewed and analyzed for the
deployment and in-service modes. Work involved the development
and solution of submerged inflated membrane equations coupled
with the effects of submerged drained sand masses. Practical
design considerations were incorporated. |
P7705 |
ARCTIC
MARINE TERMINAL (50 - 90 FT. WATER DEPTH) PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND
LOGISTICS
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: A preliminary design and order-of-magnitude
estimate of costs and schedule for a structural ring-enclosed
island type oil storage and marine terminal for 60 and 90 ft.
water depths in the Beaufort Sea. The basic storage requirement
for the terminal is three million barrels of crude oil, however
sensitivity to different storage capabilities was investigated.
The terminal could accommodate two million barrel capacity
tankers with beams of 170 feet and drafts up to the full water
depth. One of the major problems addressed was the analysis of
the soil structure interaction necessary to predict the response
to loadings on the outside of the structure caused by various
Arctic ice conditions. Conceptual design, cost estimating, and
construction logistic aspects of the investigation were carried
out in conjunction with appropriately qualified contractors.
|
P7702 |
DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE THEORY FOR THE PREDICTION OF ICE
FORCES ON CYLINDRICAL AND CONICAL OFFSHORE STRUCTURES
CLIENT: Transportation Development Agency DATE: 1977
DESCRIPTION: The development of a comprehensive theory for
selecting design ice forces acting on cylindrical and conical
offshore structures is carried out utilizing deterministic,
semiprobabilistic, and probabilistic analytical techniques and
associated
computation methods. Flexural and crushing ice sheet failure
phenomena are fist described using extensions of customary
deterministic theories. Based on the deterministic equations, a
semi-probabilistic technique is utilized to investigate the
flexure-crushing transitional failure region for which it
provides a continuous bimodal transition function. Next, methods
of probabilistic design are used to generate a set of
probabilistic equations for describing the crushing and flexural
interactions. These equations yield values of the mean force and
the associated standard deviation, which permits the
specification of a unique load spectrum. The probability of an
ice load of any given magnitude can easily be obtained from the
load spectra. Numerical results include tabulation of loads for
both analytically and practically significant ranges of
increments of all main interaction variables for all levels and
types of analytical methods mentioned above. Salient cases of
the tabulations are described and illustrated graphically and
applications to current design practices are suggested. |
1976 |
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P7619 |
STUDY OF
SCALE EFFECTS OF ICE SHEET FAILURE AGAINST CONICAL OFFSHORE
STRUCTURES
CLIENT: Ministry of Transport DATE: 1976
DESCRIPTION: Non-dimensionalization of the flexural ice failure
equations. Parametric computer tabulation and graphics to
identify trends in the force variables associated with changes
in the scale of the interactions as measured by the aspect
ratio. Results applicable to design of lighthouse and bridge
piers in inland waters. |
P7614
.01 |
FEASIBILITY OF USING DRILLSHIP WASTE HEAT FOR MAINTENANCE OF
ICE-FREE AREA AROUND DRILLSHIP
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd. DATE: 1976
DESCRIPTION: One of the conditions necessary to keep a drillship
on location in shorefast ice is the prevention of ice formation
and impingement in the immediate neighbourhood of the ship.
Methods of keeping the ice from forming by utilizing drillship
engine exhaust heat were identified and reviewed. Following
thermodynamic calculations to ascertain that sufficient heat may
be available, several specific schemes for getting the exhaust
heat to prevent ice formation were reviewed and evaluated. One
of the schemes was selected and preliminary design and cost
estimates were carried out. A small-scale prototype test program
was developed. |
P7614
.02
|
FEASIBILITY STUDY - METHODS FOR MAINTAINING ICE-FREE AREA AROUND
DRILLSHIP
CLIENT: Canadian Marine Drilling Ltd. DATE: 1976
DESCRIPTION: A feasibility study of methods of maintaining a
100-foot wide ice-free area around a drillship on location in
the South Beaufort Sea was carried out. The methods considered
included ones entailing use of structural systems, energy
injection systems, and active systems. Among the structural
systems considered were the following:
(a) Floating structural canopy
(b) Air cushion vehicle support canopy
(c) Air-supported canopy
(d) Air-inflated canopy
(e) Structural, air-inflated, or air-supported dome
(f) Flexible folding insulation
Each of the systems had to have the capability of preventing
freezing in a 100 foot wide area around the drillship as well as
accommodating peripheral ice movements of up to 80 feet in that
area. |
P7610 |
ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF ICE IN THE BEAUFORT SEA
CLIENT: Dome Petroleum Limited DATE: 1976
DESCRIPTION: The work comprises review, documentation,
compilation, and recommendations for the properties of ice in
the south Beaufort Sea relevant to ice-structure interaction.
Shapes, velocities, strengths, and surface characteristics of
the pertinent ice types and formations for various seasonal and
geographical zones constitute the major results presented from
interpretation and analysis of existing remote sensing
information. Geometric and kinematic properties are cast into
probabilistic form to optimize use of the relative sparsity of
relevant empirical data. Strength and other material properties
are presented in mean and maximum ranges to permit realistic use
by the designer. The work represents up-to-date compilation of
engineering and scientific knowledge of ice properties for the
south Beaufort Sea which should augment both the general
understanding and state of design readiness of the user relative
to offshore oil and gas facilities in the area. A small part of
the study area is shown in Figure 1.
|
Figure 1: A Section of the Study Area
(Click on figure to
enlarge)
|
|
P7602
.01 |
ICE
MECHANICS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ICE FORCES ON CONICAL
OFFSHORE STRUCTURES
CLIENT: Ministry of Transport DATE: 1976
DESCRIPTION: Extension of work in PE7501 to incorporate
alternate failure modes. Computer regeneration of all tables and
graphs in metric units. |
1975 |
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P7501 |
PARAMETRIC
INVESTIGATION - ICE FORCES ON A CONICAL OFFSHORE STRUCTURE
CLIENT: The Ministry of Transport DATE: 1975
DESCRIPTION: An analytical investigation of the variation in
force on a conical offshore structure such as a lighthouse, for
a
variation of system parameters through a wide range. Parameters
varied, including pertinent mechanical ice properties, interface
properties, and structure variables. Following the modification
of flexural ice sheet failure theory developed by F.G. Bercha
earlier, the investigation was carried out with the aid of a
digital computer. Over eighty thousand force calculations for
approximately forty thousand combinations of the variables were
executed. The results were presented in a set of 264 tables and
32 graphs of 8 curves each. Graphics were all performed using
the CDC 6400 Computer and CalComp 563 drum plotters. |
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