(53f) Reducing CAPEX Project Risks and Costs By Performing Pressure Relief Analysis (PRA) during Early Design Stage

Front-end loading (FEL) methodology for CAPEX projects is utilized to manage scope changes during the early design stages when the level of influence is relatively high and the cost of making changes is relatively low. The impacts to flare loads and pressure relief systems are some of the main drivers for changes in project scope during a CAPEX. However, these effects are typically overlooked or missed during early project design stages and changing or applying mitigations later on can cause additional costs and delays.

Performing pressure relief analysis (PRA) during the conceptual feasibility stage helps identify the potential risks to flare loads and pressure relief systems introduced by the project before procurement. This analysis creates opportunities for cost savings and allows for implementation of inherently safer designs. Additionally, the impact of the project can be much further upstream or downstream than outlined in the initial scope. It is cost effective and safer to evaluate the impact of several parallel proposed projects at once. In this presentation several examples are shared to show how CAPEX projects benefit from early design stage PRA and concurrent project planning.