Regulation Class

Document Class

Procedure

Main Document

Regulation Title

Process/Mechanical Valving & Isolation Philosophy

Topic

Process/Mechanical Valving & Isolation Philosophy for OMV E&P Assets.

Objective

Specifies the minimum requirements for a Process/Mechanical Valving & Isolation, with
specific consideration for design.

Target Group

Project & Engineering Community in OMV & Petrom E&P.

Scope of Effectiveness

OMV E&P GmbH and all its subsidiaries where OMV is shareholder of developed
and/or producing assets as well as Petrom S.A. E&P.

Editor:

EP-F
Org. Unit

Wiston Rodriguez
First- Last Name

Signature

Date

Regulation Approver EP-F

1:
Org. Unit

G. Williamson
First- Last Name

Signature

Date

Regulation Approver PE-D

Org. Unit

S. Lens
First- Last Name

Signature

Date

Regulation Approver E-P

2:
Org. Unit

N. Whatson
First- Last Name

Signature

Date

Effective as of:

1 July 2014
Date

In the interests of simplicity and readability, the language of this statement is gender neutral to the extent possible.
Where applicable, the masculine includes the feminine. Print-out is only valid on the date printed. Check for the latest
version in the Regulations Platform. In case of conflict, the document in its Master Language must be applied.

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Contents
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 3
1.1. Scope and Applicability .............................................................................................. 3
1.2. Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.3. Definitions ................................................................................................................... 4
1.4. Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 4
2. ISOLATION METHODS ...................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Methods ....................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Positive Isolation ......................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Valve Isolation ............................................................................................................. 6
2.3.1 Double Block & Bleed (DB&B) ................................................................................ 6
2.3.2 Single Block & Bleed (SB&B) .................................................................................. 7
2.3.3 Single Block (SB) & Double Block (DB) .................................................................. 7
2.4 Valve Isolation Selection ............................................................................................ 7
2.5 Securing Valve Position .............................................................................................. 8
3. STANDARD BLOCK VALVE SELECTION .......................................................................... 9
4. SYSTEM VALVING AND ISOLATION ............................................................................... 9
4.1 Venting / Depressuring ............................................................................................. 10
4.2 Draining ..................................................................................................................... 10
5. EQUIPMENT ISOLATION ................................................................................................ 11
5.1 Pressure Vessels ....................................................................................................... 11
5.2 Atmospheric Tanks and Vessels .............................................................................. 12
5.3 Pumps ........................................................................................................................ 12
5.4 Compressors ............................................................................................................. 12
5.5 Heat Exchangers ....................................................................................................... 13
5.6 Heater Treaters.......................................................................................................... 13
5.7 Engineered Package Units........................................................................................ 13
5.8 Pig Launchers and Receivers ................................................................................... 13
6. INSTRUMENT ISOLATION .............................................................................................. 14
6.1 Level Instrumentation ............................................................................................... 14
6.2 Pressure Instrumentation ......................................................................................... 14
6.3 Control Valves ........................................................................................................... 14
6.4 Relief Valves .............................................................................................................. 14
7. TEMPORARY VS. PERMANENT ARRANGEMENTS ...................................................... 15
8. SUPERSEDED REFERENCE COMPANY STANDARDS .................................................. 15
9. EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL ARRANGEMENTS .................................................................. 16

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1.

INTRODUCTION
1.1.

Scope and Applicability

This philosophy describes methods for isolating equipment and/or sections of
plant to permit safe operation, and provide access for maintenance or inspection.
It covers mechanical and process isolation requirements only. Other types of
isolation, such as electrical isolation lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), ICSS override
It shall apply to all process and utility systems and packaged equipment.
This standard is applicable only to E&P offshore and onshore installations. It
covers both on-plot (e.g. plant and piping systems) as well as off-plot (e.g.
pipelines, flow lines, remote manifolds, clusters and well locations, etc.).
This philosophy shall be applied to all new engineering developments, for both
greenfield and/or brownfield developments. This philosophy may be applied
to existing facilities if considered appropriate (e.g. implementation of safety
upgrades on existing plants as a result of safety assessment).
Isolation requirements to enable maintenance or inspection are generally
dependent on the extent of shutdown, hazardous nature of contained fluids and
pressure rating of piping system. Notwithstanding the isolation requirements, it
would be expected that all isolation of plant, breaking of containment and vessel
entry would be strictly controlled by a "Permit to Work System.
Isolation devices serve two distinct functions:

To enable an entire system, comprising equipment items and associated

pipework and instruments, to be taken out of service safely while other
systems continue to function normally.

To provide local physical proof that a single piece of equipment is safely

isolated from all possible sources of inflow, prior to allowing maintenance
and to permit entry of personnel.

Deviations from this philosophy are allowed provided they are discussed with the
relevant Technical Authority, do not compromise safety and are cost justified.

1.2.

Purpose
The main drivers/priorities followed within this standard, in order of precedence:

Ensure HSE and Process Safety

Production

Cost

In line with the above, the purpose of this document is to:

Define safe, cost effective isolation to facilitate preparation of plant for

maintenance and inspection with minimum interruption to production.

Provide design guidelines to assist in the development of P&IDs.

Provide guidelines for the segregation of utility systems to avoid

contamination.

Provide guidelines for suitable isolation to facilitate addition/removal of

equipment for phased development of production facilities.

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1.3.

Definitions
Where the terms Shall, Must, Should and May have been used within this
document they have the following meanings:
Shall and Must mean that the action described is mandatory.
Should means that the action described is strongly recommended.
May means that the performance of the action is discretionary
Valve Isolation
Provision of valving to isolate a system or item of equipment. Normally provided
such that positive isolation can be established.
Secure isolation
Isolation that once made will not be rendered ineffective by careless or inadvertent
action.
Positive isolation
Isolation by means of a fixed barrier, such as a spade, spectacle blind or removable
spool piece and associated blind flanges.
Severe Service
The following will be considered "Severe Services" for the purposes of this
philosophy:

1.4.

a)

All hydrocarbon systems.

b)

For multiphase mixtures, Hydrocarbon systems are defined as such when

water cut is equal or lower than 99% (min 1% oil content) or when there is
presence dissolved hydrocarbon gas in water phase.

c)

Non hydrocarbon systems at class ANSI 600 # flange rating and above.

d)

Injection chemicals with low flash points (below 60 C).

Abbreviations
BDV

Blow Down Valve

DB

Double block

DB&B

Double Block & Bleed

E&P

Exploration & Production

SB

Single Block

SB&B

Single Block & Bleed

P&IDs

Piping and Instrumentation Diagram

LO/LC

Locked open/Locked closed

ICSS

Integrated Control & Safety System

ILO/ILC

Interlock open / Interlock closed

H2S

Hydrogen Sulfide

NRV

Non Return Valve

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2.

PSV

Pressure Safety Valve

SDV

Shutdown Valve

ISOLATION METHODS
2.1

Methods

In decreasing order of security the main methods of providing isolation are:

Positive Isolation

Double block and bleed (DB&B)

Single block and bleed (SB&B)

Double block (DB)

Single block (SB)

The most secure valve isolation is provided by DB&B. Valve isolation is only secure under
supervision and for short time periods, typically a single shift. Its principal purpose is to
ensure that positive isolation can be safely achieved. Where necessary, positive isolation
will be provided to ensure secure isolation (to eliminate the risk of human error).
Generally, where it will take less time to do the job than to fit positive isolation (where
positive isolation would otherwise be required, e.g. level instrument bridle on a vessel)
then it is acceptable to use DB&B (see Table 2).

2.2

Positive Isolation
Positive isolation can be achieved by use of either of the following methods:

Removal of piping spool piece or valve and installation of fully rated blind
flanges to exposed ends of pipe/valves.

A fully rated spade and spacer or spectacle blind in line.

Appropriate general depressurisation and decontamination will be carried
out on the working process side of positive isolation to enable installation
of isolation.

Positive isolation shall be used for the following:

To isolate major items of equipment or a section of plant which can be

segregated for long term inspection or maintenance without requiring a
complete process shutdown.

To permit isolation of vessels and tanks in preparation for entry of

personnel.

To prevent contamination, during normal operation, of utility supplies, e.g.

water and air, where these are permanently connected to a process unit.

Single block valves used for fill, vent and drain on process systems and
equipment will be fitted with fully rated blind flanges.

To vessels or items of equipment with a design pressure greater than the

design pressure of the flare/vent system that are periodically opened as part
of routine operation (e.g. filters, pig launchers and receivers)

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All vessels requiring entry will have the facility for installing a spectacle
blind or removable spool as close to the vessel as possible to ensure
positive isolation. Where the vessel forms part of a process train then it is
acceptable to provide positive isolation at the train boundary limits. If,
however, a process train has multiple connections to flare or other utilities
then a vessel may require dedicated isolation for these connections.
All hydrocarbon handling equipment will have the facility to be isolated
with a spectacle blind or removable spool. Wherever the Piping Material
Specification permits, spectacle blinds should be used in preference to
spades (if spades are used they shall be fully rated and certified).
Positive isolation shall also be considered to allow hydrostatic testing and
commissioning of parts of piping and systems while further hookup/construction activities continue.
Vents, drains and purging facilities will be provided as necessary to check
that the section of line is free from pressure and fluids before breaking
containment.
The selection of spectacle blinds or spade and spacers is size and rating
dependent and shall be in accordance with the relevant piping
specification.

2.3

Valve Isolation
Appropriate valve isolation will be provided, where required, to enable installation
and removal of positive isolation with minimum impact to remainder of the plant.
Shut down valves may be used as one of the block valves of a DB&B arrangement
provided that the isolation is not required frequently and the shutdown valve
actuator is disabled to prevent inadvertent valve opening.
There are various methods of valve isolation. Each type of isolation is briefly
described below in descending order of security.

2.3.1

Double Block & Bleed (DB&B)

A DB&B installation shall be implemented by means of two block valves in
series with an interconnecting piping spool fitted with a bleed connection.
If space is limited, the interconnecting spool can be a drip ring between
two valves. The block valves are normally open with the bleed valve
closed. When isolation is required, both isolation valves are closed and
then the bleed is opened. Wherever the Piping Material Specification
permits, integral double block & bleed valves should be used.
A typical double block and bleed assembly is shown in the following
sketch:

Bleeds must be arranged so their discharge cannot harm personnel or

plant. Where there is a possibility of leakage of hazardous fluids (such as
those with H2S presence), appropriate safety measures will be taken before
opening the bleed. These measures shall be included in the design (hard
piped drain lines to the closed drains system) or they can be included in
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operational procedures (provision of temporary hoses and/or the use of

breathing apparatus). Bleed points not connected to a vent or drains
system must be blanked-off when not in use.
Any block valve is presumed to leak under a pressure differential and the
bleed valve should cope with leakage through the 1st block valve. This will
ensure that the 2nd block valve (under negligible pressure differential) has
negligible leakage, therefore ensuring the isolation integrity.
Double block and bleed will be used for severe services, ANSI 600 # and
greater, to enable positive isolation to be effected by swinging a blind.
DB&B will also be used for systems ANSI 300 # and greater where positive
isolation (e.g. spading) is impractical (e.g. pig traps).
Integral DB&B valves or integral DB&B spool arrangements can be used
and for the purposes of this standard are considered equivalent to
individual separate valves DB&B arrangements.

2.3.2

Single Block & Bleed (SB&B)

The principle for SB&B is similar to DB&B, but is less secure. The bleed
valve is located on the depressurized side of the block valve so that
leakage can be tested prior to breaking a flange. With leakage, additional
shutdown may be required to isolate the system.
A typical arrangement for single block and bleed is shown in the following
sketch:
Process Side

Single block and bleed will be used for severe services, ANSI 300 #, to
enable positive isolation to be made by swinging a blind.

2.3.3

Single Block (SB) & Double Block (DB)

A single block valve provides the balance of general isolation
requirements, except where it is deemed that double block valves are more
suitable, typically to minimize leakage across a normally closed single
valve.

2.4

Valve Isolation Selection

Application of valve isolation is dependant on fluid type and the operating
pressure being worked against. The following classifications are based on
generally accepted practices. The list is not comprehensive of all applicable and
possible fluids (comprehensive list of fluids are generally listed and referenced in
Piping Class); nevertheless, it is to be used as a guide and example for most
common applications/fluids.

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TABLE 1
Non-Hazardous
Utilities
Fresh/Potable Water
Cooling Medium
Plant/Instrument Air
Firewater
Seawater

Hazardous Utilities
Inert Gas
Fuel Gas
Heating Medium
Chemicals
Glycols
Methanol
Hydraulic Oil
Diesel
Hot Oil

Process Fluids
Hydrocarbon - Gas
Hydrocarbon - Liquid
Produced Water

The following table gives guidance on valve isolation selection for various fluid
classifications and operating pressures:
TABLE 2
Fluid

Operating Pressure
Barg

Rating

Valving to
install
positive
isolation

Valving to
work w/o
positive
isolation

NonHazardous
Utilities

< 20

150 #

SB

SB

20 - 55

300 #

SB&B

DB&B

Hazardous
Utilities

< 20

150 #

SB

SB *

20 - 55

300 #

SB&B *

DB&B *

> 55

600 #

DB&B *

DB&B *

< 20

150 #

SB&B *

SB&B *

20 - 55

300 #

SB&B *

DB&B *

> 55

600 #

DB&B *

DB&B *

Process
Fluids

Category

Also provision of facilities for a pressure build-up test and regular monitoring of isolation.
Continuous gas monitoring is required where there is a potential for hazardous gas
leakage.

** S = Severe service ( see section 1.3)

From the above table, as a general quick rule, all systems ANSI 600 # and higher
shall be considered with DB&B valving arrangements for isolation.

2.5

Securing Valve Position

Secured valves shall be provided on systems where for safe operation they are
required to operate in fixed open or shut position.

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Securing the valve position may be achieved by one of the following methods:

Key locked (LO/LC)

Interlocked (ILO/ILC)
Any isolation must achieve and maintain effective containment. If positive
isolation is not utilised, isolation valves should be locked or otherwise
immobilised to prevent unauthorised operation.

The following applications are proposed and will be identified on P&IDs:

3.

1.

Within fire protection systems, valves on firewater distribution and local

foam distribution systems will be car sealed open/closed. (LO/LC).

2.

If an ESD valve is used for isolation, the actuator must be disabled or locked
to prevent inadvertent valve opening.

3.

Blowdown lines shall be isolated from the flare header with a LO manual
isolation valve.

4.

Multiple relief valves for vessels and systems will have LO isolation valves
on all the duty relief valves. The spare relief valve shall have the upstream
valve LC and the downstream LO.

5.

Isolation valves upstream of single relief valves are not allowed. They will
be provided downstream of single relief valves and will be LO.

6.

Pig launcher door arrangements shall be mandatorily configured with

interlock systems.

7.

Isolation valves to instruments connected to the ESD system will be

secured open (LO).

8.

By-pass valves around control valves shall be normally closed. No securing

device is required.

STANDARD BLOCK VALVE SELECTION

Refer to the Piping Material Specification. Some specific indication/general rules are as
follows:

4.

Piping bleeds, vents and drains on utilities, produced water and gas
systems, shall be " gate valves. Drains on oil systems shall be 2 (for
viscous fluids minimum 1).

In general the use of butterfly valves shall be avoided (due to risk of passing
or leak).

Full bore valves shall be applied for isolation valves if PSVs, BDVs and for
piggeable lines.

SYSTEM VALVING AND ISOLATION

No isolation valve should be used for a throttling duty if this throttling duty will impair (by
continual wear) the ability of the valve to form a reliable and secure tight shut-off.
Isolation of plant by valves against a live system shall be permitted only where it is not
reasonably practicable to eliminate risk by shutting down and depressuring the system,
i.e. consideration should always be given to depressurising plant rather than working live.

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Any valve used for isolation must provide a reliable positive seal. Check valves are not
considered as block valves.
Depressuring, draining, venting and purging requirements shall be considered in
conjunction with isolation. Adequate facilities must be provided to ensure safe
depressurization and drainage, including facilities to check the isolation prior to breaking
line containment.

4.1

Venting / Depressuring
All vessels shall be fitted with a valved and blanked vent connection to atmosphere
for maintenance. This connection may be located directly onto the vessel or onto
the gas outlet upstream of the vessel positive isolation. It may be utilized as part of
inert gas purging of the vessel but not for the depressurization which is provided
by additional connections to the flare/vent system.
Generally pressure vessels shall be supplied with a 6 nozzle fitted with a 2 valve.
The 6 nozzle provides an adequate size for vapour exhausting or forced draught
ventilation.
Blowdown facilities (where provided) will be used for primary depressurization.
Manual depressuring connections shall, as a minimum, consist of a normally
closed globe valve downstream of a normally closed ball valve.
Valving for a typical blowdown arrangement is shown in the sketch below. The
restriction orifice and downstream valve and expander are close coupled to avoid
choking through the valve.

min.
BDV

FB
FO

FB
CSO

FO
Process spec. Flare spec.

Vessels or equipment without automatic depressurization facility will be supplied

with manual venting facilities consisting of a globe valve and isolating valve to the
flare/vent system. If the possibility exists of exceeding the flare system capacity or
design pressure during manual venting, the vent line shall be fitted with a
restriction orifice to limit the flowrate.
Vents from vessels in non-hydrocarbon service will be generally routed to
atmosphere locally, in a safe position.

4.2

Draining
Providing that the Closed Drain Drum is set below the level of the vessel being
drained then all pressurized equipment shall be depressurized prior to draining.

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Pressure draining shall be generally avoided, it may be applied under certain

circumstances and special requirements, following a safety assessment). If
pressure draining is required and cannot be avoided, the second valve of the drain
typical arrangement (se figure below), shall be a globe valve.
All vessels shall be fitted with a drain connection for maintenance. This connection
may be located directly onto the vessel or onto the liquid outlet line upstream of
the vessel positive isolation. Vessels with internal weirs/baffles which partition the
vessel will require additional drain connections, at least one for each compartment.
Equipment that requires frequent maintenance, or is in hydrocarbon service or
contains hazardous fluids, shall be provided with a hard-piped drain connection to
the closed drains system. This connection must not be operated unless the
equipment has been depressurized to near atmospheric pressure via the flare/vent
system. The connection shall consist of a closed spectacle blind and a DB&B
arrangement. A DB&B arrangement is provided to minimise leakage.

To Closed Drain

Spec. break.

Any piping specification break between the system and drain header will be on the
downstream flange of the downstream isolation valve. The isolation valves and
downstream piping shall be suitable for the lowest temperature that can be
obtained while draining.
Since all vessels should be first depressurized to flare, no pressure draining is
required and valves can be gate or ball valves.
Frequent drainage, say once per shift or more, of atmospheric or non-hydrocarbon
systems will require permanent drain connections routed to the open drains
system via a single isolation valve and a drip tray or tundish. Other atmospheric or
non-hydrocarbon systems will be provided with a single isolation valve and blind
flange.

5.

EQUIPMENT ISOLATION
5.1

Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels are low maintenance items of equipment and therefore, where a
vessel is in a process train, isolation of the train is sufficient. Specific vessels that
are common to the overall process facilities, e.g. flare drums, require a total
shutdown of the facility before maintenance.
Positive isolation is required for vessel entry. All positive isolation should be
located on or as close as possible to the vessel. Where inlet or outlet piping is
manifolded, such as to be connected to more than one nozzle, a single positive
isolation method located at the manifold isolation valve is acceptable rather than
positively isolating each vessel nozzle, provided it is clearly visible from the vessel.
Positive isolation of a relief valve discharging to a closed system shall be achieved
with a removable spool.

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5.2

Atmospheric Tanks and Vessels

When isolation is required for entry, all hard-piped connections, except the liquid
outlet, shall be provided with positive isolation. For the particular case of vent and
blanket gas lines on tanks, the following configuration is recommended to provide

Vent Header

Blanket Gas

positive isolation:
Liquid outlet on tanks which have sizes 12 and below shall have no spectacle
blind. Isolation can be achieved by springing the line and inserting a blind or
isolation by removing a spool at the pump suction. Liquid outlets 14 and above
shall have a ring spacer.

5.3

Pumps
Removable piping spool pieces shall be provided for maintenance purposes on the
suction and discharge nozzles of each pump. Blind flanges shall be fitted on
suction and discharge piping when spools are removed. Pump casings shall be
fitted with vent and drain connections. If the pump's inventory is significant and/or
contains liquid with a vapour pressure greater than atmospheric at maximum
operating temperature, casing vents and drains shall be hard-piped to the
flare/vent and closed drain systems respectively. Otherwise the vent and drain
connections shall be valved and fitted with a blind flange.

5.4

Compressors
Facilities shall be provided to positively isolate individual compression trains from
all sources of hydrocarbons in order to allow maintenance whilst production
continues. This isolation will include all equipment relating to the compression
train (i.e. suction scrubbers and aftercoolers etc.) provided that production can be
maintained. For compressors on common driveshafts, no maintenance isolation is
required among the different compression stages. Casing vents and drains are
provided as necessary by the compressor supplier.

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5.5

Heat Exchangers
To facilitate the removal of the exchanger tube bundles and plates for inspection
and cleaning, spool pieces will be provided as positive means of isolation as
appropriate. Vents and drains will be provided from the associated pipework,
wherever possible, and will be hard piped, where appropriate, to permit safe
depressurization and draining prior to maintenance. Chemical clean-out
connections, if required, will be provided on the required side of the exchanger,
between the exchanger and isolation blind.

5.6

Heater Treaters
Isolation for Heater Treaters shall be the same as pressure vessels (see section 5.1)

5.7

Engineered Package Units

Necessary valving and spool pieces for isolation may be off-skid rather than being
included as part of the package. Consideration shall be given to providing positive
isolation on all hydrocarbon lines entering or leaving an engineered package at the
skid edge. Care should be taken to avoid duplicating isolation facilities both inside
and outside packages.
Individual items of equipment within the package will comply with requirements in
this philosophy.

5.8

Pig Launchers and Receivers

Pig traps are regularly opened up while connected to live pipeline systems. The
safety of their operation depends on door isolation and operating procedures. A
mechanical door interlock shall be provided to prevent opening of the door whilst
the trap contains pressure.
Pig launchers and receivers are to be provided with the following isolation, venting
and draining facilities:
Process inlet/outlet, and kicker line/outlet

Appropriate SB&B or DB&B valve isolation to permit launching, receiving

and safe opening of door.

Closed Drains

As for pressure vessels. Drain connections will be provided at each end of a

receiver but only at the throat end of a launcher.

Relief, Blowdown and Atmospheric vent

Connections on the vessel for a relief valve and manual depressurising to

flare.

Any local vent shall be fitted with a block valve and vented to a safe
location.

A pressure balance line connected to each end of the launcher or receiver

to ensure that a pig cannot form a seal.

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6.

INSTRUMENT ISOLATION
6.1

Level Instrumentation
Unless the vessel can be taken out of service without affecting production or
essential services, on line maintenance of level instruments shall be enabled by
providing isolation from their associated vessel in accordance with tables on
section 2.3. It shall be acceptable to use the train isolation capability of parallel
equipment to avoid installation of double block and bleed valves on level
instruments within the trains.
All instruments and standpipes shall be fitted with vents and drains. Instrument
drains shall be combined where location permits, to reduce the number of valves
required. Level instruments on vessels in other (i.e., non-hazardous) services shall
have a single drain valve and blind flange only.

6.2

Pressure Instrumentation
All pressure instrumentation piping connections in hydrocarbon service (other than
diesel) shall be provided with a SB&B or DB&B depending on the pressure rating.
All diesel system and non-hydrocarbon system connections up to and including
300lb rating shall have a single valve isolation.

6.3

Control Valves
Where a control valve is provided with a bypass, a single isolation valve will be
provided on each side of the control valve together with a vent or drain. For fail
closed valves, drain connections shall be installed on each side of the control valve
inside the block valves. For fail open or fail in position valves, a drain valve shall be
provided on the upstream side of the control valve only.
For control valves rated 600# and above and for which on line maintenance is
required, double block and bleed shall be provided.
Additionally, where potential for scale formation exists (downstream heating
equipment), the provision of injection and drain valves around control valves
should be considered, to allow cleaning on-line.

6.4

Relief Valves
Relief valves require to be inspected at regular intervals to ensure safe operation
and may require replacement if they leak. Changing out a relief valve, if no spare
relief valve is provided, will require the protected equipment/system to be taken
out of service.
Where removing equipment from service results in a severe loss of production,
this is considered undesirable. To avoid this all relief valves on equipment that is
critical to continued plant operation are spared.
Spared Relief Valves
Maintenance of spared relief valves will generally be undertaken during shutdown
periods and therefore single isolation valves upstream and downstream of the
relief valves are adequate for isolation. Alternatively, on line PSV changeout may
be undertaken provided the upstream operating pressure is below the guidelines
set out in tables on section 2.3. Spared relief valve arrangements shall be as below.
Maintenance of spared relief valves will generally be undertaken during shutdown
periods and therefore single isolation valves upstream and downstream of the

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relief valves are adequate for isolation. Alternatively, on line PSV changeout may
be undertaken provided the upstream operating pressure is below the guidelines
set out in tables on section 2.3.
Sets of multiple relief valves which include a spare relief valve shall have CSO
valves to ensure that at least one PSV is always open to the flare. Operating
procedure shall be implemented to ensure this is accomplished. Interlocked valves
may be considered on a case by case basis.

PSV

PSV

To Flare

CSO
LO

LO
CSO

CSO
LO

CSC
LC

RS

Single Relief Valves

Single relief valves shall be used on equipment in non-critical service and also in
intermittent service, e.g. pig receivers and launchers. Isolation valves are not
permitted upstream of single relief valves.
Clearly a single PSV does not permit on-line change out. Equipment must be first
depressurised and made ready for maintenance.

7.

TEMPORARY VS. PERMANENT ARRANGEMENTS

For the purpose of this philosophy, there is no distinction between temporary or
permanent installations regarding isolation requirements.
All tie-in provisions shall follow the valving and isolation requirements of section 2 (table
2 in particular).

8.

SUPERSEDED REFERENCE COMPANY STANDARDS

This document substitutes the following OMV standard:

TO-HQ-02-134-00

TO-HQ-02-034-00

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9.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Appendix 1 includes practical examples for implementation of this philosophy.

E-C.2.4-HQ-PRO-001
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