Support to Marine Terminal HSE Audits

NG Incorporated provides technical assistance to the auditors of major oil trading companies during the HSE audits of the Caspian and Black Sea terminals located in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Georgia. NG Incorporated's expert technicians regularly pre-inspect and monitor the facilities and operations of all marine terminals in Azerbaijan.

NG Incorporated provides support to HSE Audits concerning the communication with terminal staff, translation of technical documentation, timing, transportation, and ground arrangements. Experts from NG Incorporated accompany the terminal inspectors during their visits to the Caspian and Black Sea terminals to assist with the audits.

NG Incorporated ensures that the Caspian and Black Sea terminals have satisfied their obligations in accordance with the latest HSE audit findings and observations.  This saves the auditors a significant amount of time and allows for a clearer understanding of current situation and HSE level of the terminals. The processing of the data provided helps to assess the need for subsequent audits.
 

Before starting the terminal audits, NG Incorporated's personnel ensure that the terminal's management is prepared to make the following items available to the auditors: The cooperation of terminal personnel. Access to detailed operating data and results. Access to the terminal maintenance data and systems descriptions. Access to site equipment during operation. Access to site personnel for discussion and their cooperation. Access to site equipment specifications and drawings.

Two weeks before the start of the audit, NG Incorporated requests
that the terminal provides the following information:

	Terminal and berths layout together with plot plan.
	Tank physical data, preferably a single table with: a. Age b. Size c. Service (product in storage) d. Type (fixed or floating roof)
	Fire mane layout diagram including location of pumps, hydrants and monitor.
	Completed Marine questionnaire.

The audit generally includes observations regarding the condition of plant equipment and maintenance effectiveness, and provides suggestions for improvement. Generally, audits do not include detailed surveys on the condition of the terminal equipment, but rather rely on condition reports prepared by others during the normal course of operations. Generally, the format of the audit consists of a series of interviews with staff members, the viewing of documentation, inspection of all facilities, and when possible, physical demonstration of the emergency response capabilities.

All information and photographs gathered during the audit remain confidential. An audit usually takes 1 to 3 days; depending on the size of the terminal, the degree of preparation by the terminal, and language interpretation/translation issues.
 

	Arrival and site safety overview where appropriate.
	Walk-through of the terminal facility and review of site history and current operations. The audit team also provides an explanation of the audit procedure.
	Site visit by whole team (vessel alongside, jetties, tankage, road & rail gantries, fire systems/equipment, water treatment area, laboratory where applicable). Demonstration of emergency response equipment, short ship visit (if vessel alongside) and other operations as requested.
	Review of documentation.
	Interviewing of personnel.
	Auditors meeting.
	Initial feedback on audit findings with terminal staff to discuss the assessment.

Although an audit team gains some understanding of the terminal’s current state through interviews with operating staff and by viewing the terminal operations, it is the analysis of the terminal performance data which provides the most information for the basis of recommendations.

The audit team also conducts interviews with port authority representatives, the local fire brigade, or any other third party involved in the terminal’s operations and/or emergency response.

The following documents are requested by the audit team during their visit:

Operating and maintenance databases allow for the auditor to form an unbiased opinion. The examination of this information provides insight on trends in operating efficiency, and also highlights opportunities where operational and maintenance procedures may influence terminal efficiency, and the capacity at which demurrage might be expected to increase.

Once the data is finalized by the auditors, NG Incorporated submits the audit report which includes the findings, observations, and recommendations made to the terminal's management.

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