CASE STUDY

Industry Sector - Utilities

North Sea Exploratory Company Implements Off-shore Safety System

Scenario:

A major North Sea exploratory company wished to implement a new competency-based human resource management solution to ensure the highest possible safety standards.

Implementation and Business Benefits:

A system able to manage the individual steps that make up the maintenance procedures responsible for isolating and replacing critical process equipment was developed by a specialist team at Infographics’ UK Development Centre. The application was also designed to support the acquisition and re-use of knowledge gained from past isolation exercises and provide the stringent safety framework essential when dealing with high pressure and combustibles within a process plant environment. The solution, which was implemented successfully across a number of Off-shore sites located in the North Sea, provides a stringent safety framework essential when dealing with high pressure and combustibles within a process plant environment.

In addition, it increases operator productivity through a reduction in the time spent completing manual forms and generating related paperwork.

In summary, the solution delivers:

  • Cost and time savings due to reusability of saved isolations
  • Standardisation and accuracy due to reuse of existing saved isolations
  • Improved safety and human resource management
  • Increased operational efficiencies due to reduction of manual forms

Technical Overview:

Technical requirements were that the solution should be:

  • Built using a modern, multi-tier architecture that divided application code between database, business logic and front end user interface
  • A flexible object-based development model that would support cost-effective enhancement and evolution over time
  • Capable of deployment over wide and local area networks
  • Able to support a standard Web browser for information access over remote links
  • Able to interface with industry-standard diary, email and messaging systems

Operational requirements were that the system should:

  • Be simple to use
  • Be customisable to specifications – allowing existing equipment, pipe and valve identification codes to be used, and accepting current output format for isolation labels and procedure forms
  • Offer barcode and document scanning options
  • Support isolation conflict resolution
  • Allow multiple authorised user access

Summary:

The solution developed has increased the efficiency and safety at Off-shore sites run by the client.