HIGH INTEGRITY PIPELINE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

These systems have been utilised in Germany for over 30 years and are proven to be extremely reliable in very rapid isolation of pipelines.

They are so reliable that the need for other safety related devices such as Safety Relief Valves can be minimised. They have the following advantages:

Negating the need for flare systems to be sized for the case of a well failing to close.

Production piping downrating, giving potential cost benefits of more than 25%

Fast inventory isolation within two seconds

Huge capital cost savings

For an HIPPS system the following components are required:

An extremely reliable tight shut-off isolation valve which closes within 2 seconds

Robust triplicated pressure sensing utilising switches or transmitters which are in a 2003 voting configuration

A Programmable Electronic Safety System or Electronic Safety System which is “Stand Alone” and meets IEC 61508 SIL requirements appropriate to the application

The Whole System Certified by an International Approval Body such as TUV

Completely independent of “human intervention”

Low Maintenance Requirement

The principal of operation is that the 2003 voted redundant pressure instrumentation trips on high pressure and isolates the pipeline very rapidly (typically within two seconds) by rapidly closing the valve. Dependant on the level of reliability required sometimes two HIPPS systems are installed in series. The need for this is determined by reliability analysis against a required facility reliability figure. These figures are determined by factors such as safety, environmental, public perception of a prescribed event and cost of an event.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Onshore Gas Pipelines

Offshore and Onshore Gas Well Pipelines

Offshore Subsea Applications

Useful Links

What is HIPPS? - This useful paper from Mokveld describes the technology well.

12.09 Shutoff Valves - This paper from Mokveld highlights the HIPS applications.

12.09 Instrumented Protection Systems – HIPPS, High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems - High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) are used to reduce the risk that a system can exceed its design pressure to a tolerable level. Conventional design standards applied in the oil and gas industry stipulate that final protection of piping and pressure vessels against over-pressurisation shall be provided by means of mechanical relief devices. Sometimes the use of these devices, like relief valves, is undesirable or impossible. Instrumented protection systems provide a technically sound and economically more attractive solution to this problem in situations where:
- Extremely high-pressures, or flow rates are processed.
- Environmental constraints or restrictions limit the use of conventional relief systems.
- The economic viability of a development needs improvement.
- The risk profile of the plant must be further reduced.

3.10 HIPPS solutions - Safe Operation and Nonstop Availability - The main reasons for using HIPPS (high-integrity pressure protection systems) are safety, environmental and economic. Safety to ensure that you can confidently operate close to design limits. Environmental to avoid unnecessary flaring and thereby limiting air emissions. And economic to reduce costs, because it is always cheaper to use HIPPS than to install full-flaring capacity and full-schedule piping and equipment. The continuous operation of equipment is a prerequisite. Nonstop operation – this is the advantage offered by HIMA HIPPS solutions. All applicable standards up to SIL 3 and even SIL 4 are also met. Thanks to our sponsor HIMA Australia.

Considerations in designing HIPPS - Willem-Jan Nuis / Rens Wolters - Due to environmental constraints and cost saving, HIPPS has gained popularity over the last years as the last line of defence, replacing pressure safety valves (PSV), blow down and flare systems. Although HIPPS is applied for more than a quarter of a century, design and implementation of HIPPS is still not as obvious as one might expect. The main reason for this is the way the IEC 61508 and the more recently introduced IEC 61511 standards are written. The oil and gas industry for years has been accustomed to work with prescriptive standards. Thanks to the safety users group.

HIPPS protects subsea production in HP/HT conditions - Lars Bak - Lilleaker Consulting AS - Roald Sirevaag and Halvor Stokke -The subsea production system for the high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) Kristin field was developed to accommodate its shut-in wellhead pressure of 740 bar (74 MPa) and flowing temperature of 157° C (315° F). This required protecting the flowlines and risers from overpressure. The Kristin field began production in Nov. 2005, and in Aug. 2006, five of six subsea high integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS) were working. During the initial year of operation, the Kristin subsea HIPPS proved reliable, operations friendly, and efficient, causing no unplanned production loss. This performance can be attributed to the extensive qualification process, the design effort, and quality control throughout development. Thanks to offshore-mag.com

Subsea HIPPS offers high-pressure field development option - Sandeep Patni and Janardhan Davalath - A major challenge in developing a deepwater project is recovering reserves at a reasonable capex investment for flowline and riser installation. A high-integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS) is a step toward improving recoverability. HIPPS provides a pressure break between subsea systems that are rated to full shut-in pressure and the flowline and riser, rated to a lower pressure. Thanks to offshore-mag.com

High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems [HIPPS] for the Overpressure Protection Of Pipeline Risers - This document is to provide guidance for Inspectors in respect of the provision of remotely located HIPPS, including those located subsea, for the protection of pipelines, pipeline risers and some associated topsides process pressure systems. From the HSE (UK)

High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPPS) – Making SIL Calculations Effective - Jean-Pierre Signoret - In the oil industry, traditional protection systems as defined in American Petroleum Institute (API) 14C are more and more often replaced by high integrity protection systems (HIPS). In particular, this encompasses the well-known high integrity pressure protectionsystems (HIPPS) used to protect specifically against overpressure. As safety instrumented systems (SIS) they have to be analysed through the formal processes described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508 and IEC 61511 Standards in order to assess which Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) they are able to claim. Thanks to Touchoilandgas.com

High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) - Angela E. Summers, Ph.D., P.E., President, SIS-TECH Solutions, LLC - Fortunately, API 521 and Code Case 2211 of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and 2, provide an alternative to pressure relief devices – the use of an instrumented system to protect against overpressure. When used, this instrumented system must meet or exceed the protection provided by the pressure relief device. These instrumented systems are safety instrumented systems (SIS), since their failure can result in the release of hazardous chemicals and/or the creation of unsafe working conditions. As SISs, they must be designed according to the United States standard ANSI/ISA S84.01-1996 or the international standard IEC 61511. The risk typically involved with overpressure protection results in the need for high SIS integrity; therefore, these systems are often called High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) or High Integrity Protection Shutdowns (HIPS). Thanks to SIPI

High Integrity Protection Systems For New And Existing Vessels - Bryan A. Zachary and Angela E. Summers, Ph.D., P.E. - High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPS) are Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) implemented to address overpressure scenarios in lieu of a pressure relief valve (PRV). HIPS essentially replaces the PRV for those scenarios that the SIS is designed to prevent. HIPS applications are generally pipeline and pressure vessel overpressure protection. Thanks to SIS-TECH Solutions

Preventing overpressure: A safety system success story - using failsafe systems to prevent overpressure - David K. Thomas -From the ISA

Flare Load Mitigation Using HIPS

12.09 High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPS) for Flare Load Mitigation - Angela E. Summers, Ph.D., P.E., President, SIS-TECH Solutions, LLC - The American Petroleum Institute (API) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) provide criteria for the protection of vessels and pipelines from excess pressure. In conventional design, a Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) is used as the primary means of protection, and a flare is used to safely combust the gases relieved during an overpressure event. Although conventional, the use of a PRV is sometimes an unattractive proposition, particularly where the pressure relief involves a large flare load. API 521 and Code Case 2211 of ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and 2 allow the use of an SIS in lieu of a PRV as long as the SIS meets or exceeds the protection that would have been provided by the PRV. As an SIS, the design must follow the safety lifecycle provided in the United States standard ANSI/ISA 84.01-1996 or the international standard IEC 61511. The required risk reduction results in the need for high SIS safety availability; therefore, these systems are often called High Integrity Protection Systems (HIPS)

12.09 Flare Header Over-pressure Protective System using HIPS - In the chemical process industry, a key safety consideration is the control and response to over-pressure situations. Traditionally, pressure relief valves and flares were used to handle the relieving of vessels from over-pressure in the worst case scenario. When units are expanded, modified, or when a new unit is being integrated into a plant, existing flare capacity may be inadequate. Flare capacity, an essential safety design feature, is normally sized on the basis of handling the largest release resulting from a single contingency for a unit. Conventional design of over-pressure protection systems require additional flare capacity either by installing another flare system or reducing contingencies of existing flare systems. An alternative is to apply High Integrity Protective System (HIPS) to reduce some single contingencies to double contingencies, thereby allowing continued operation without compromising safety, or requiring additional expansion or investment in the flare system. A properly designed and applied High Integrity Protective Systems (HIPS) may be used to reduce loads to existing flare systems or provide additional safeguards where conventional pressure relief devices have proven to be unreliable. The use of HIPS also conforms to ISA S84 "Application of Safety Instrumented Systems for the Process Industries" and the Draft International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508 Standard "Functional Safety: safety-related systems", Parts 1 through 7 - from processoperations.com .

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HIGH INTEGRITY PIPELINE PROTECTION SYSTEMS (HIPPS)