Unplanned events are inevitable in our industry. The question isn’t if but when the next unplanned event will take place.

Preparing for unplanned events means understanding the variables that precede, initiate and occur during them. Some variables are unknown. For example, the specific location where an incident may occur, the size of pipe and what type of product will be released are some of the unknown variables.

What is known, however, is the overall geography of the piping system, the diameter(s) of the pipelines within it, the potential product(s) contained in the system and the chronological sequence required to effectively respond to an unplanned event.

Operators can use a strategic algorithm to better prepare for an efficient and effective isolation or intervention response to an unplanned event. Controlling the variables that matter most enables operators to identify the optimal locations for minimizing isolation equipment while keeping fittings in close proximity to high-risk assets. This maximizes the operator’s equipment investment and minimizes exposure.

In this paper, TDW will review a real-life unplanned event scenario, discuss the key post-event findings and demonstrate how an Emergency Response Operational Readiness (EROR) plan would have resulted in a more positive outcome.