The application of functional safety principles in offshore oil and gas production facilities. Challenges and experiences of full and partial applications of IEC61511.

Through the construction and operation of floating hydrocarbon production facilities for a range of clients worldwide, and therefore subject to differing regulatory environments, SBM Offshore has gained experience of a number of different approaches to process safety. These range from full implementation of IEC61511 Functional Safety Management (FSM) to projects where the design basis does not require any application of IEC61511. Increasingly clients have imposed hybrid applications where certain specified aspects of FSM are applied. SBM Offshore operates the world´s largest fleet of Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs), managing around 4% of global offshore oil production. SBM is an Engineering Procurement Construction Installation and Operation (EPCIO) company, which provides the company with a unique insight into all phases of project lifecycle. This paper explores the challenges of different aspects of FSM and highlights some of the most beneficial aspects.