In the high-stakes world of oil platform construction, where the slightest misstep can lead to catastrophic failures, managing risks is not just a priority—it’s a necessity. A recent study published in ‘Water Harvesting Research’ (translated from Persian as ‘Water Harvesting Research’) has shed new light on how to tackle these challenges, offering a fresh perspective on risk assessment in marine structures. Led by Ali Khazaee, a Ph.D. Candidate at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birjand, Iran, the research delves into the complexities of identifying and prioritizing risks in the construction of oil platforms, with a specific focus on the S1 Wellhead Platform in the Salman Oil Field.
The study, which employs fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making models, highlights the multifaceted nature of risks in such projects. “Civil engineering projects, including the construction of oil platforms, are inherently associated with various types of risks from different perspectives,” Khazaee explains. “Risk management in large-scale water and marine structure projects, such as the construction of oil platforms, is essential due to the multiple uncertainties and extensive environmental and human factors involved.”
The research identifies 21 key risks across four critical areas: engineering, execution, passive defense, and the environment. Through a combination of literature reviews, expert consultations, and focused group discussions, the team developed two questionnaires to gather data. The first questionnaire formed a pairwise comparison matrix to determine the weights of the criteria using the Fuzzy Buckley method. The second assessed the importance of the identified risks.
The data was then analyzed using two fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making methods: Fuzzy Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA). The results were striking. “The primary risks were related to the execution phase,” Khazaee notes, emphasizing the need for special attention to these risks to improve project outcomes. Unlike traditional methods, the fuzzy OWA method effectively incorporates the subjective characteristics, risk appetite, and risk aversion of decision-makers, proving to be efficient in risk evaluation.
The implications of this research are vast, particularly for the energy sector. By providing a more nuanced understanding of risk assessment, the study could revolutionize how oil platforms are constructed, potentially saving billions in costs and preventing environmental disasters. “The fuzzy OWA method effectively incorporates the subjective characteristics, risk appetite, and risk aversion of decision-makers, proving to be efficient in risk evaluation,” Khazaee says.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and safety, this research could shape future developments in the field. By offering a more comprehensive approach to risk management, it paves the way for more robust and resilient marine structures, ensuring that the energy sector can meet the demands of the future while minimizing risks.
