High integrity protection system for hydrocarbon flow lines

A method for safety testing of a high integrity protection system (HIPS), the method comprising:

• for a flow line connected to a first source of pressure and a downstream system, providing, by a second source of pressure, fluidic pressure in the flow line to at least a predetermined pressure threshold value;
• conducting, by a logic solving processor, a stroke test comprising:
• transmitting a close signal to close at least two safety surface valves (SSVs) of the HIPS based on detecting pressure in the flow line equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure threshold value;
• and
• actuating a closure failure alarm based on determining that any one of the at least two SSVs failed to close upon transmission of the close signal;
• and
• conducting, by the logic solving processor, a leak test, the leak test comprising actuating a leak failure alarm based on determining a presence of a leak past any one of the at least two SSVs, while the at least two SSVs are closed.

A high integrity protection system (HIPS) S) comprising:

• a flow line comprising:
• an inlet configured to be connected to a hydrocarbon-carrying pipeline;
• and
• an outlet configured to be connected to a downstream system, the downstream system configured to withstand pressure up to a predetermined pressure threshold value;
• a first surface safety valve (SSV) installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet;
• a second SSV installed on the flow line between the first SSV and the outlet;
• a plurality of pressure sensors installed on the flow line between the inlet and the first SSV;
• a logic solving processor in communication with the plurality of pressure sensors, the first SSV, and the second SSV, the logic solving processor configured to perform operations comprising transmitting signals to control the first SSV and the second SSV;
• and
• a secondary source of pressure configured to be fluidically connected to the flow line between the inlet and the first SSV, the secondary source of pressure configured to provide fluidic pressure in the flow line to at least the predetermined pressure threshold value.