TITLE:
Needs and Challenges of Nigeria Petroleum Industry in Assessing Process Safety Cumulative Risk
AUTHORS:
Emeka Maduabuchi, John N. Ugbebor, Gogomary Oyet Israel
KEYWORDS:
Process Safety, Cumulative Risk Assessment, Major Accident Prevention, Petroleum Industry
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.7,
July
24,
2023
ABSTRACT: A cross-sectional exploratory assessment of the
needs and challenges of petroleum industry in Nigeria, in assessing process
safety cumulative risk for major accidents prevention was investigated. A
purposive cum random sampling technique was used in this study, among selected
petroleum companies operating in Nigeria. Survey questionnaires were received
from 216 participants made up of asset integrity engineers/operators, process
safety experts, production safety professionals in the petroleum industry in
Nigeria. Data analyses were carried out to cover descriptive and inferential
statistics. Overall, the study recognized that assessing process safety
cumulative risk is not a simple process due
largely to the changing nature of safety critical barriers degradation
data. The study result showed four main challenges faced by petroleum
industries in Nigeria, in assessing process safety cumulative risk: 1) the
study showed that 94% of the respondents agreed that there is limited accessibility
to safety critical barriers degradation data (little automation). Also 2) 94%
of the respondents accounted for poor knowledge of process safety cumulative
risk is and agreed it to be of low rating. The result further showed that 3)
90% of the respondents demonstrated that there are no guidance and procedures
in assessing process safety cumulative risk and finally 4) 92% of the
respondents reported that there is no real-time risk visualization model/ tool. Addressing these issues and challenges by the
petroleum industries in the study area, will lead to successful assessment of
process safety cumulative risk, thereby reducing the risk of major accidents.