Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Safety Systems

for Offshore Production Facilities

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 14C EIGHTH EDITION, FEBRUARY 2017

ERRATA 1, MAY 2018

Date of Issue: May 2018

Affected Publication: API Recommended Practice 14C, Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Safety Systems for Offshore Production Facilities, Eighth Edition, February 2017

ERRATA 1

NOTE: Annex A now begins with Section A.0 instead of Section A.1. All sections in Annex A have been renumbered to reflect this, and references to Annex A sections throughout the standard have been adjusted. In addition, figures and tables in Annex A are now numbered by section instead of sequentially.

Page 10, Section 3.2, add the following description for “PSS”:

PSS platform safety system

Page 10, Section 3.2, add the following description for “UTH”:

UTH umbilical termination hub

Page 16, Section 5.1.3, replace this section with the following:

5.1.3 Before a production facility safety system is placed in operation, procedures for testing and reporting should be established to ensure continued system integrity. Annex I may be used for this purpose.

Page 25, Section 6.2.2.7.6, replace the last sentence with the following:

See A.7.3.2 for additional guidance.

Page 27, Section 6.2.2.10.5, replace the next-to-last sentence with the following:

Recommended safe operating procedures are shown in A.6.4.

Page 36, Figure A.1.3, replace the “PHSL” symbol in the second from the top figure with the following:

PSHL

Page 39, Figure A.2.1, replace the “PHSL” symbol in all places with the following:

PSHL

Page 45, Figure A.4.1, replace NOTE 3 with the following:

NOTE 3 If the vessel is subject to temperature lower than design a TSL shall be installed. See A.4.2.2.4.

Page 70, Figure A.8.1, replace the “OSH 4” symbol with the following:

OSH 2

Page 87, Figure B.2, replace the “Suction Scrubber” section with the following:

Page 99, Section E.2.1, replace the first bullet with the following:

— a prescriptive approach as outlined in this annex;

Page 125, Section I.3.3, in the second paragraph, replace the second sentence with the following:

See Annex D for more information on bypassing safety systems.

Page 126, Section I.3.7, replace the last sentence with the following:

See Annex D for more information on bypassing safety systems.

Page 126, Section I.3.8, in Item b), replace the second sentence with the following:

Because of the many possible equipment arrangements, detailed test procedure steps to deactivate a shutdown or control device or to take a component out of service during testing are not given; however, guidance on bypassing and out of service is provided in Annex D.

Special Notes

API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees, and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations to comply with authorities having jurisdiction.

Information concerning safety and health risks and proper precautions with respect to particular materials and conditions should be obtained from the employer, the manufacturer or supplier of that aterial, or the material safety datasheet.

Work sites and equipment operations may differ. Users are solely responsible for assessing their specific equipment and premises in determining the appropriateness of applying the provisions of this recommended practice. At all times users should employ sound business, scientific, engineering, and judgment safety when using this recommended practice.

Classified areas may vary depending on the location, conditions, equipment, and substances involved in any given situation. Users of this recommended practice should consult with the appropriate authorities having jurisdiction.

API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.

API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright © 2017 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

Other API documents for safety and antipollution systems used in offshore oil and gas production include the following:

— API Recommended Practice 14E, Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems;

• API Recommended Practice 14F, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Systems for Fixed and Floating Offshore Petroleum Facilities for Unclassified and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 Locations;

  
  

• API Recommended Practice 14G, Recommended Practice for Fire Prevention and Control on Fixed Open-type Offshore Production Platforms;

  
  

• API Recommended Practice 14J, Recommended Practice for Design and Hazards Analysis for Offshore Production Facilities;

• API Recommended Practice 17V, Recommended Practice for Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Safety Systems for Subsea Applications;

  
  

• API Recommended Practice 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities.

The verbal forms used to express the provisions in this document are as follows:

Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the standard.

Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the standard.

May: As used in a standard, “may” denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a standard. Can: As used in a standard, “can” denotes a statement of possibility or capability.

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, standards@api.org.

iii

Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 2

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 2

   1. Terms and Definitions 2

   2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 9

4. Safety Device Symbols and Identification 11

   1. Introduction 11

   2. Functional Device Identification 11

   3. Symbols 11

   4. Component Identification 11

   5. Example Identification 11

5. Safety Analysis and System Design 16

   1. Purpose and Objectives 16

   2. Safety Flow Chart 16

   3. Safety System Operation 18

   4. Premises for Basic Analysis and Design 18

6. Protection Concepts and Safety Analysis 19

   1. Introduction 19

   2. Protection Concepts 19

   3. Safety Analysis 31

   4. Analysis and Design Procedure Summary 32

Annex A (normative) Process Component Analysis 33

Annex B (informative) Examples of Safety Analysis Flow Diagram and SAFE Chart 81

Annex C (informative) Remote Operations 94

Annex D (normative) Safety System Bypassing 96

Annex E (normative) High-Integrity Pressure Protection Systems 98

Annex F (informative) Logic Solver 105

Annex G (normative) Emergency Support Systems 107

Annex H (informative) Toxic Gases 117

Annex I (normative) Testing and Reporting Procedures 120

Bibliography 129

Figures

1. Scope of API 14C vs API 17V 1

2. Examples of Safety Device Identification 14

3. Offshore Production Facility Safety Flow Chart 17

1. Safety Devices: Dry Tree Wellhead Flowlines 34

2. Safety Devices: Underwater Wellhead Flowlines 35

3. Satellite Well 36

A.2.1 Safety Devices: Dry Tree Wellhead Injection Lines 39

A.3.1 Safety Devices: Headers 42

A.4.1 Safety Devices: Pressure Vessels 45

A.5.1 Safety Devices: Atmospheric Vessels 50

1. Safety Devices: Typical Fired Vessel (Natural Draft) 53

2. Safety Devices: Typical Fired Vessel (Forced Draft) 54

3. Safety Devices: Exhaust-heated Component 55

v

Contents

Page

1. Safety Devices: Pipeline Pump 60

2. Safety Devices: Glycol-powered Glycol Pump 61

3. Safety Devices: Other Pump 62

4. Safety Devices: Simple Overhung Centrifugal Pump Seal System 63

5. Safety Devices between the Bearings Type Centrifugal Pump Seal System 64

A.8.1 Safety Devices: Compressor Unit 70

A.9.1 Safety Devices: Pipelines 74

A.10.1 Safety Devices: Heat Exchangers 77

1. Example Safety Analysis Flow Diagram of Platform Production Process 83

2. Example SAFE Chart 84

3. Example Process Component Diagram for a Natural Draft Burner on a Pressure Vessel 90

4. Resulting Process Component Diagram for a Natural Draft Burner on a Pressure Vessel

   after Analysis 91

5. Example Heater Treater SAFE Chart 92

6. Blank SAFE Chart 93

G.1 Gas Detector Spacing 113

Tables

1. Sensing and Self-acting Safety Device Symbols 12

2. Actuated Valve Safety Device Symbols 14

3. Component Identification 15

1. Flowline Segment Safety Analysis Table 37

2. Flowline Segment Safety Analysis Checklist 37

1. Safety Analysis Table: Dry Tree Wellhead Injection Lines 40

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Dry Tree Wellhead Injection Lines 40

1. Safety Analysis Table: Headers 43

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Headers 43

1. Safety Analysis Table: Pressure Vessels 44

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Pressure Vessels 46

1. Safety Analysis Table: Atmospheric Vessels 50

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Atmospheric Vessels 51

1. Safety Analysis Table: Fired Components, Natural Draft 55

2. Safety Analysis Table: Fired Components, Forced Draft 56

3. Safety Analysis Table: Exhaust-heated Components 56

4. Safety Analysis Checklist: Fired and Exhaust-heated Components 57

1. Safety Analysis Table: Pumps 65

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Pumps 65

1. Safety Analysis Table: Compressors 71

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Compressors 71

1. Safety Analysis Table: Pipelines 75

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Pipelines 76

1. Safety Analysis Table: Heat Exchangers 78

2. Safety Analysis Checklist: Heat Exchangers 79

1. Guidelines for Fusible Plug Installations 110

2. Guidelines for Combustible Gas Detectors 111

1. Safety Device Test Procedure Examples 121

2. Safety Device Test Data 128

vi

Introduction

This document presents a systematization of proven practices for providing a safety system for offshore production facilities. Proper application of these practices, along with good design, hazard analysis, maintenance, and operation of the entire production facility, should provide an operationally safe facility.

The title of this document has been amended to include both fixed and floating facilities.

The Eighth Edition of this document is updated to include the changes in safety systems technology and provides additional guidance for facility safety systems as they have become larger, more complex, and moved into deeper water. Added requirements include extensive emphasis on the performing of hazards analysis due to increased flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and water depth.

This document has been developed in coordination with the first edition of API 17V, Recommended Practice for Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Safety Systems for Subsea Applications.

Key changes to the main document include better alignment with API Standard 521, Pressure-relieving and Depressuring Systems, additional requirements for pumps and compressors greater than 1000 hp, and additional requirements to protect against backflow and settle-out pressures. Low-temperature hazards have been addressed for the first time, and the definitions section has been expanded.

All annexes have been defined as normative or informative and the analysis tables from the seventh edition have been removed. New annexes cover high-integrity pressure protection systems (HIPPS), logic solvers, bypassing, and remote operations. While HIPPS has been presented as an option for overpressure protection of multiple components, an HIPPS is used after thorough consideration of other alternatives. Caution should be applied when using HIPPS given the rigorous design, testing, and maintenance requirements for the system.

vii

Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Safety Systems for Offshore Production Facilities

1 Scope

This document presents provisions for designing, installing, and testing both process safety and non-marine emergency support systems (ESSs) on an offshore production facility. The basic concepts of a facility safety system are discussed, and protection methods and requirements of the system are outlined.

API 14C

For the purposes of this document, all process components from the surface wellhead and/or topside boarding valve are considered. For subsea equipment, Figure 1 provides a description between the scope of API 17V and this document.

API 17V

Figure 1—Scope of API 14C vs API 17V

API 17V is a companion document, which provides guidance for subsea safety systems. This document illustrates how system analysis methods can be used to determine safety requirements to protect common process components. Actual analyses of the principal components are developed in such a manner that the requirements are typically applicable whenever the component is used in the process. However, it is incumbent on the user to apply appropriate additional hazardous analysis methodologies to ensure that hazards are identified and mitigated.

This document also includes:

a) a method to document and verify process safety system functions [i.e. safety analysis function evaluation (SAFE chart)];

1