Accident frequency evaluation to support dynamic risk studies

The safety enhancement of Oil&Gas offshore operations asks for improvements in the currently applied tools for risk estimation and evaluation. The present contribution is addressed at the development of a method for the dynamic evaluation of hydrocarbon leaks frequency from process equipment and piping. Specific indicators were scored in order to obtain modification factors aimed at tailorizing the frequency values. The method is suitable for the implementation in dynamic risk assessment, in order to provide an updating mechanisms that allow revising the accident frequency during the lifecycle of the facility. The potentialities of the method were tested with a demonstration case study. Results highlighted the importance of technical and managerial aspects in the estimation of accident likelihood and risk.