Risk Management Optimization for the Scenario with the Potential for Hydrocarbon Spill Disaster in the Offshore System of Terminal Coveñas – Cenit, through Dynamic Risk Management Using the Bowtie Analysis

In the dynamic and challenging environment of offshore systems, risk management plays a critical role in ensuring safety, operational efficiency and environmental protection. The Coveñas Terminal – CENIT, faces unique challenges due to its criticality in oil transportation and logistics in Colombia. This summary explores the optimization of risk management practices by ensuring the effectiveness of your system barriers, in this context, focusing specifically on the scenario with potential disaster due to the oil spill at sea, which would affect a considerable percentage of the tropical bay of Coveñas. Identifying 100% effectiveness of human and physical barriers, both prevention and mitigation.

Introduction

Off-shore oil dispatch and import systems, such as the Coveñas maritime terminal, made up of tanker loading units (TLU1 and TLU3), are part of the nation's strategic assets, it is the where crude oil is imported and exported in Colombia. It should be noted that the underwater lines that connect the Coveas station with the monobuoys, and the underwater and floating hose systems, which allow the export and import of hydrocarbons, operate in adverse conditions where risks are inherent. A single failure can have catastrophic consequences, affecting human lives, the environment and the economy. Therefore, effective risk management is essential to mitigate these hazards and improve overall system resilience.

The Bowtie Analysis Method

The bowtie analysis method for Off-shore system provides a structured approach to risk assessment and management. Visualize cause-and-effect relationships between hazards, threats, preventive barriers, and consequences. Here's how it works:

Hazard Identification: Begin by identifying potential hazards relevant to the offshore system. Which starts from the sectioning valves on the surface, passing through the underwater line, reaching the Plent, passing through the monobuoy (TLU3) and the hoses to the connection valve with the tanker.

Threat Assessment: Evaluates the probability and severity of associated threats. These may include equipment failure, natural disasters, human error, or external threats.

Barrier Analysis: Next, analyze the existing preventive barriers. These barriers include safety procedures, engineering controls, emergency response plans, and safety equipment. Evaluate its effectiveness and reliability.

Consequence Assessment: Understand the possible consequences if preventive barriers fail. High consequence scenarios should receive special attention.

Bow-tie Diagram: Construct a bow-tie diagram that visually represents danger, threats, barriers, and consequences. The central “knot” represents danger, while the left side represents preventive measures (barriers) and the right side represents consequences.

Risk Mitigation Strategies: Based on the bowtie analysis, develop risk mitigation strategies. Strengthen existing barriers, implement additional safeguards and improve emergency response protocols.

Risk Management Optimization

To optimize risk management at the Coveñas – CENIT Terminal, consider the following steps:

Scenario Specific Analysis: Adapts the bowtie analysis to address high consequence scenarios specific to the terminal. Considers issues such as oil spill containment, fire suppression, and evacuation procedures.

Barrier Effectiveness: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of preventive barriers. Regular inspections, maintenance and testing are crucial. Identify weak points and solve them immediately.

Emergency preparedness.

Risk Communication: Transparently communicate risks to interested parties, including employees, contractors, regulators and nearby communities. Foster a safety culture that promotes reporting and learning from near-incident situations.

Incident Learning: Analyzes past incidents and near-incident situations. Extract lessons learned and apply them to improve risk management practices.

Conclusion

Optimizing risk management in offshore systems requires a holistic approach that combines technical expertise, organizational commitment and continuous improvement. By using the bowtie analysis method and focusing on high consequence scenarios, the Coveñas – CENIT Terminal can improve safety, protect the environment and guarantee sustainable operations, through quarterly monitoring of the effectiveness of prevention and mitigation barriers. system, human and physical barriers