COURSE OVERVIEW:

This course explains the critical importance of shutdown valves in keeping oil and gas process equipment in safe conditions during both normal shutdown and emergency shutdown situations. It provides a detailed understanding of shutdown valve functions, types, locations, and operating principles within production, processing, and export facilities. Participants will examine how shutdown valves interface with emergency shutdown systems, process shutdown systems, and basic process control systems, and how correct operation and testing of these valves helps protect personnel, equipment, and the environment.

The course also covers actuators, fail safe design philosophy, valve logic and cause and effect relationships, routine operation, testing and maintenance, and structured approaches to troubleshooting valve related problems. Practical examples and case-based discussions will help participants understand how shutdown valves behave during real plant events and how to ensure all equipment is kept in a safe state during normal shutdowns and emergency shutdowns.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Explain the role and importance of shutdown valves in maintaining safe conditions for equipment, personnel, and the environment during normal and emergency shutdowns.
2. Describe the main types of shutdown valves used in oil and gas facilities and where they are typically installed in process, utilities, and export systems.
3. Explain basic design principles and fail-safe philosophies for shutdown valves, including fail closed, fail open, and fail in place strategies.
4. Describe the main components of shutdown valve assemblies, including valve body, actuator, positioners, limit switches, and solenoid valves.
5. Explain how shutdown valves interface with emergency shutdown systems, process shutdown systems, and basic process control systems.
6. Interpret logic diagrams and cause and effect charts related to shutdown valves and explain how valve actions are initiated during different shutdown events.
7. Apply correct operational practices for shutdown valves during startup, normal operation, normal shutdown, and emergency shutdown scenarios.
8. Describe inspection, proof testing, and partial stroke testing concepts for shutdown valves and their role in maintaining reliability and integrity.
9. Identify common operating problems and failure modes of shutdown valves and apply structured troubleshooting techniques.
10. Contribute to keeping equipment in safe conditions by recognizing shutdown valve issues early and coordinating with maintenance and instrumentation teams.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

-Operations engineers in oil and gas facilities

-Panel and control room operators

-Field operators responsible for process isolation and shutdown activities

-Utilities and export operations personnel

-Maintenance and instrumentation technicians supporting shutdown valves and actuators

-Supervisors and senior operators involved in shutdown planning and execution

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures and discussion sessions, as well as case studies, will be managed to maximize the amount and quality of information, knowledge, and experience transfer. The course will be intensive but practical and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance learning. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and after the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.