An Overview of the Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) Study

SIMOPs (Simultaneous Operations) are activities that occur at the same time in a process plant or facility, such as maintenance, construction, inspection, testing, or production. SIMOPs can pose significant risks to process safety, as they can introduce hazards, interfere with normal operations, or affect the performance of safety systems. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a SIMOPs study before performing any SIMOPs, to identify and manage the potential hazards and conflicts.

A SIMOPs study is a systematic and structured analysis of the planned SIMOPs, involving a multidisciplinary team of experts from different departments and functions. The study aims to:

- Define the scope and objectives of the SIMOPs

- Identify the hazards and risks associated with the SIMOPs

- Evaluate the adequacy and availability of the safety systems and barriers

- Develop mitigation measures and contingency plans for the SIMOPs

- Communicate and coordinate the SIMOPs with all relevant parties

- Monitor and review the SIMOPs performance and compliance

MOPO stands for Management of Process Operations, a framework that helps to identify and manage the risks associated with SIMOPs in the oil and gas industry.

SIMOPs pose significant challenges for process safety, as they increase the complexity and uncertainty of the operations, and may create potential conflicts or interferences among the different parties involved. If not properly managed, SIMOPs can lead to serious incidents such as fires, explosions, spills, or injuries.

To prevent such incidents, MOPO provides a systematic approach to assess the hazards and risks of SIMOPs, and to implement effective controls and mitigation measures. MOPO consists of four main elements:

- Planning: defining the scope, objectives, roles and responsibilities, and communication channels for the SIMOPs.

- Hazard identification and risk assessment: identifying the hazards and risks associated with the SIMOPs, and evaluating their likelihood and severity.

- Control measures: establishing the control measures to eliminate or reduce the risks of SIMOPS, such as procedures, permits, barriers, alarms, or emergency response plans.

- Monitoring and review: monitoring the performance and compliance of the SIMOPs, and reviewing the effectiveness and adequacy of the control measures.

Since it makes sure that everyone involved is aware of potential risks and hazards and collaborates to prevent or minimise them, MOPO is a useful tool for improving process safety in SIMOPs. By encouraging feedback and the lessons learned from SIMOPs, MOPO also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and learning from experience.

A SIMOPs study is a valuable tool for enhancing process safety and operational efficiency in process plants and facilities. By conducting a SIMOPs study, the plant operators can ensure that the SIMOPs are performed safely and smoothly, without compromising the normal operations or the integrity of the safety systems. A SIMOPs study can also help to optimize the use of resources, reduce downtime and costs, and improve communication and coordination among different parties involved in the SIMOPs.