Technical Training Facility Aims to Increase Competence & Reduce Risk

Ten delegates attended a process and instrument diagram (P&ID) course in Montrose today and were the first recipients of a technical competence course being delivered specifically for the pipeline industry by Petrofac Training.

The course forms part of an extensive technical operations training portfolio designed to ensure that all theoretical and practical aspects of pipeline design and operations are both taught and experienced.  Petrofac Training is renowned for combining theory with practice across its impressive training portfolio with safety being the priority in all aspects of training delivery.  A critical aspect of this course is the high level of practical content which is undertaken on their bespoke and specialised technical operations and competency facility.  Comprising a 1km, 10”, 150-class pipeline, the unique facility is controlled by the latest SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system and includes purpose built pig launching and receiving platforms, circulation pumps and fluid storage capability.

Mike Comerford, Petrofac Training’s Europe director, believes the course content addresses a significant issue prevalent in both the oil & gas and petrochemical industries, where the competence of technicians is at the front line of controlling risks in the operating environment, particularly those relating to working on live process plant.

“We have seen recent incidents both in the UKCS and in other producing areas, where asset integrity has been breached and technicians have not been able to respond effectively to neutralise these incidents.  The results can be potentially catastrophic and have, in some cases, led to significant regulatory intervention and prosecution. What Petrofac Training is providing in this course is the opportunity for duty holders to ensure that their technicians have the competence to identify a vessel and its isolations on a diagram and find it on the plant before operating it safely.  This basic competence level is vital in ensuring asset integrity and preventing future incidents, especially when considering the miles of pipe work and the number of valves and vessels on a platform, or indeed any onshore processing facility.”

P&ID courses form part of a new stream of training courses available at the technical training facility. All of the courses incorporate permit to work procedures in their practical elements and are targeted at improving the competence of technicians by using the real life facility without the associated risk of live operations.