A Process Safety Management Company

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2015 Fall Newsletter

Back by popular demand…the Provenance Newsletter is back.  Check out what’s going on with the people of Provenance.

The next newsletter will publish at the end of this year, so keep on sending us your articles.

2015 Fall Newsletter

PSM Consultant – Mechanical Integrity

Through innovation and technology, Provenance Consulting provides information management systems and services that track, monitor, verify, and sustain data that personnel use in the operation of oil, gas, and chemical plants and facilities. We specialize in process safety management, software implementation, and custom software development. We not only implement and maintain information systems and processes, but we build the foundation of these systems that ensure the data utilized is accurate.

Job Description

The Process Safety Management (PSM) Consultant is expected to utilize expertise in the area of process design, analysis, and operations to deliver quality results to clients. Focus is on process safety management in the area of mechanical integrity. Emphasis is placed on quality of the work product and the efficiency of work execution.

The PSM Consultant will report to either a site manager or project manager who will establish clear expectations in terms of work quality, efficiency, and technical development. The PSM Consultant will work directly with clients on technical aspects of the projects and therefore must be able to communicate technical requirements and deliverables clearly and concisely.

To fulfill this role, the PSM Consultant will:

  • Input inspection data into client application
  • Identify inspection points per industry standard
  • Participate in damage mechanism studies
  • Present results to clients or members of management
  • Perform quality checks
  • Interpret data from piping & instrument diagrams, process flow diagrams, plot plans, piping isometrics, mechanical design information
  • Understand and comply with all Provenance and client safety procedures that govern the work being performed

Location

The position is located in Borger, TX (45 minutes northeast of Amarillo), with work throughout the Southwest region of the United States.  Relocation incentives will be provided for qualified candidates.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A mechanical engineering degree
  • Two to five years of experience in a petrochemical plant or refinery, preferred
  • Knowledge in application and compliance requirements of regulatory codes (OSHA, EPA, etc.) and industry standards and recommended practices (API, NFPA, ASME, etc.), preferred
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States

Job Benefits

Provenance Consulting offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits and programs including: health and welfare, 401K, paid time off program, career mobility, volunteer opportunities, and other programs.

For more information about Provenance Consulting, contact Human Resources at 806-273-5100.

 

Provenance Consulting values people from diverse backgrounds, working to create an open atmosphere of trust, honesty and respect. Harassment or discrimination of any kind – including that involving race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disabilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other similarly protected status is unacceptable. This principle applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, layoff, recall, termination and other terms and conditions of employment.

AIChE’s 2015 Spring Meeting and 11th Global Congress on Process Safety

Provenance Consulting is excited to share our involvement next week at AIChE’s Global Congress on Process Safety in Austin, TX. Provenance will be giving four presentations at the conference and will also be at booth #420 in the exhibit area – so please stop by and see us! Below is a brief summary of each presentation.

We look forward to seeing you in Austin!

Monday, 27 April

Can I Use My Cooling Water Header As a Relief Device?

Rahul Raman, 11:30am

The ASME BPVC is a well-recognized code of construction and allows pipe that discharges to the atmosphere as an acceptable pressure relief device. However, there are safety considerations and industry guidance that restrict the use of using a cooling water side of heat exchanger specifically as a relief device. This presentation interprets the landscape of existing regulatory framework to show the industry regarding the ways to use it as a relief device and the underlying assumptions for such use.

Overfilling Protection for Weak Tanks

Rahul Raman, 2:30pm

Weak tanks have relief valves that are typically sized for vapor/gas service. These tanks are subject to overflowing and collapse due to the pressure force. Minimal amounts of liquid is enough to over-pressurize the tank. Currently there is no industry guidance to size a relief device for such low pressure tanks. Furthermore, there is a lack of data from the manufacturers. Provenance has tag-teamed with PROTEGO® to establish a methodology and vetted it with experimental data. Using conventional available tools for engineers, we have developed a methodology to accurately predict the capacity within a +/- 10% error tolerance.

 Tuesday, 28 April

Developing Credible Scenarios for a PHA

Nestor Paraliticci, 2:30pm

OSHA’s Compliance Guidelines and Recommendations for the PSM Standard states “A PHA is an organized and systematic effort to identify and analyze the significance of potential hazards associated with the processing or handling of highly hazardous chemicals.” It goes on to say “A PHA is directed toward analyzing potential causes and consequences of fires, explosions, releases of toxic or flammable chemicals and major spills of hazardous chemicals.” OSHA does not give any additional guidance; they just refer you to 18 additional “Sources of Further Information”. So rather than spending your free time reading these books, I would like to present a process on how to develop scenarios (causes and consequences), tips on creating credible and realistic scenarios and the pitfalls to avoid during the process, commonly encountered during a PHA .

Wednesday, 29 April

Guidance for Sizing Relief Devices That Are Installed below Liquid Level in an External Fire

Rahul Raman, 8:30am

A fire impinging on a pressure vessel results in boiling up of the liquid and generates vapor that needs to be relieved though a pressure relief valve. Due to geometry or maintenance reasons a relief valve can be installed below the liquid level. In this scenario the vapor pushes hot saturated liquid and has a potential to flash as it flows across the relief system piping. This paper gives the guidance to size relief valve that are installed in such service.

Overpressure Protection and the Relation to Regulations, Codes, and Standards

Most professionals in the industry understand the fundamental importance of overpressure protection and the basics of pressure relief valves. However, many cannot dedicate the time to understand the history or intricacies of overpressure protection implementation. For instance, what can we consider to be a “relief device” and where do we look to be certain?

Join Justin Phillips — a relief systems engineer from Provenance Consulting — to gain a better understanding of pressure relieving systems. This free live webinar takes place on Wednesday, April 22 2015, from 1:00 – 2:00pm CST.

In this webinar, the audience will be given a roadmap that links regulatory requirements to codes of construction onto industry practices and standards. By linking these things together, the audience will be better able to understand the philosophy of regulations and will be able to reference the appropriate regulations and code requirements readily.

If you are an engineer or technical professional working with pressurized vessels, boilers, this is your opportunity to better understand the Whys and Hows of overpressure protection.

To register for the AICHE hosted event, follow the link here.

 

Mechanical Integrity Line of Service Manager

Through innovation and technology, Provenance Consulting provides information management systems and services that track, monitor, verify, and sustain data that personnel use in the operation of oil, gas, and chemical plants and facilities. We specialize in process safety management, software implementation, and custom software development. We not only implement and maintain information systems and processes, but we build the foundation of these systems that ensure the data utilized is accurate.

Job Description

The Mechanical Integrity (MI) Line of Service (LOS) Manager is responsible for coordinating API Inspectors, nondestructive examiners, engineers and other field and office support resources on multiple projects at any given time.  The MI LOS Manager will report to site managers or project managers who will establish clear expectations in terms of work scope, work quality and work efficiency on the projects for which they are responsible. The MI LOS Manager may be expected to work directly with clients on technical aspects of projects and therefore must be able to communicate technical requirements, concepts and deliverables clearly and concisely.

Emphasis is placed on quality of the work product and the efficiency of work execution. The MI LOS Manager is accountable for the quality of work provided by MI/Inspection resources; therefore the MI LOS Manager is responsible for training and ensuring quality and efficiency.  Candidate will help establish efficient and effective means of tracking and reporting metrics related to MI/Inspection project execution.   The MI LOS Manager is accountable for the professional development of MI-related resources throughout the company.

To fulfill this role, the MI LOS Manager will:

  • Staff, manage and execute projects related to Fixed Equipment Mechanical Integrity and Inspection
  • Ensure procedures exist, and are kept current and accurate for all work execution activities
  • Confirm that all MI/Inspection work is performed in alignment with defined procedures through training and ongoing quality control (QC)
  • Oversee the generation and issuance of final deliverables to the client or Project Lead, ensuring that a quality control process has been developed, implemented, followed and tracked during generation of final deliverables
  • Hire, train, develop, and provide guidance to newer employees as necessary
  • Ensure adequacy of, and compliance with, all Provenance and client safety procedures that govern the work being performed
  • Perform staff-level assignments and resource coordination in a team environment

Location

The position is located in Borger, TX (45 minutes northeast of Amarillo) with possible work at other locations.  Travel up to 50% of the time should be expected.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

  • An engineering degree
  • At least 5 years of direct Mechanical Integrity and Inspection experience (direct, hands-on experience should encompass all aspects of fixed equipment MI, including inspection planning, evaluation of inspection results, identification of corrective actions and reporting)
  • Familiarity with the following industry codes, standards, recommended practices, and related bodies of knowledge.  Preference will be given to candidates that maintain current certifications through the appropriate governing body:
    • API 510, 570, 571, 576, 577, 579, 580, 581, 650, 653
    • Other API codes, guidelines and recommended practices relating to MI
    • ASME B31.x, S8/D1
    • AWS-CWI
  • Work history reflecting the following:
    • Significant field or engineering hours actively performing inspection and other mechanical integrity activities
    • Increasing responsibility, especially with regard to overseeing inspection activities, project management, and budget ownership
  • The ability to organize, prioritize, and execute a heavy work load
  • The ability to understand and comply with all Provenance and client safety procedures that govern the work being performed
  • The ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means, and able to adapt communication to best reach the intended audience within or outside the organization
  • The ability to travel as needed to support ongoing projects and develop sales opportunities
  • Experience in a petrochemical plant or refinery, preferred
  • Strong technical communication ability, both written and oral
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States

Job Benefits

Provenance Consulting offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits and programs including: medical, dental, vision, 401K, paid time off, career progression, volunteer opportunities, and training/certificate programs.

For more information about Provenance Consulting, contact Human Resources at 806-273-5100.

 

Provenance Consulting values people from diverse backgrounds, working to create an open atmosphere of trust, honesty and respect. Harassment or discrimination of any kind – including that involving race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disabilities, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other similarly protected status is unacceptable. This principle applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, layoff, recall, termination and other terms and conditions of employment.