Revision: 2.

0
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective: Nov-11

Appendix 4 - Guidance for the Demarcation of Systems and

Subsystems
The following rules will apply for determining interface points for consistency of
application across projects.
1. Interfaces Between Process and Utility Systems
1.1 General Rules (refer to Figures 1 and 2)
The physical limit of a process system or subsystem will be, wherever possible, an
isolation valve allocated to that system or subsystem that has to be commissioned first.
Where a blind is necessary for positive isolation, the system limit will be at the most
suitable flange. This is often at a package limit providing that the blind may be safely
removed later with the system in operation.
In the case of expanded or de-bottlenecked projects, tie-in points will define system
limits.
Where fully rated blinds are required for system isolation integrity, care must be taken
to ensure that piping systems are designed to accommodate a temporary blind
otherwise a permanent spectacle blind shall be provided in the design.
1.2 Instrument Air System
The instrument air compressor and drier package together with all of the distribution
system will be considered as part of the same instrument air system. During design of
major projects, consideration shall be given to the inclusion of additional section
isolation valves or flanges to create subsystems that can be segregated for progressive
pre-commissioning and commissioning of, say, utility, storage and process facilities.
It may be desirable to include package limits to facilitate separate pre-commissioning of
the package equipment at the manufacturer’s premises and the distribution systems
locally. Otherwise limits will be at the root valve of each instrument impulse line to
transmitters and field devices.
1.3 Flare Systems
Flare systems will include provision of single block valves between the process system
and upstream flange of the relief valve or other relief device to permit removal of the
relief device for periodic maintenance. Relief devices shall belong to the process or
utility stem discharging to the flare header. Consequently it follows that flare system
limits will be at flanges downstream of:
 Relief valves
 Blowdown ESDV valves
 Choke valves
 Pressure control valves
1.4 Open and Closed Drains Systems
Treat as detailed in 1.3.

Page 100 PR-1159 - Commissioning and Startup Printed 17/11/11

The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.
 Revision: 2.0
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective: Nov-11

Figure 1 – Typical Subsystem Limit Definition

Figure 2 – Discipline Breakdown within Subsystem Limits

Page 101 PR-1159 - Commissioning and Startup Printed 17/11/11

The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.
 Revision: 2.0
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective: Nov-11

1.5 Fuel Gas Systems

System limits to user systems will be downstream of the last manual supply isolation
valve to each user. All flow devices, pressure reducing valves, ESD or blowdown valves
will be part of the user system.
1.6 Inert Gas Systems
As for Fuel Gas, system limits to user systems will be downstream of the last manual
supply valve.
1.7 Chemical Injection Systems
The system limit(s) will be downstream of the supply isolation valve at each injection
point into the process or utility system.
1.8 Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers will be part of the process system regardless of whether they require
air or a utility fluid such as hot oil, steam, tempered water or cooling water to moderate
the temperature of a process or utility stream.
The exception to this is refrigeration heat exchangers operating on the principal of
evaporation or condensation of a refrigerant, such as propane. These will be
considered as part of the refrigeration loop.
During the design phase it must be verified that the heat transfer fluid or the process
fluid may be circulated independently without causing damage to the exchanger.
2. Interfaces for Instrument Subsystems
2.1 Process and Utility Subsystems
Process control loops will be allocated to the system where the active device is
installed. Safeguarding loops will be similarly allocated.
Distributed control systems are to stand alone as a system with the system limits at the
input / output marshalling racks. Connecting wiring to individual measuring elements or
field devices will be assigned to process or utility systems as open or closed loops as
defined by the loop diagrams.
2.2 Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD)
ESD programmable logic controller-based systems will stand alone as subsystems
from the marshalling input/output racks as for distributed control systems. Input / output
loops will be classified as open loops and will be allocated to subsystems in the same
way as the outgoing wiring of distributed control systems.
2.3 Fire and Gas Systems (F&G)
With the consideration that there could be a breakdown into subsystems based upon
designated fire detection and suppression areas, F&G programmable logic controller-
based systems will also stand alone as a system from the marshalling racks. Loops will
be classified as open loops and assigned to the F&G System.
2.4 Compressor Anti-Surge Control Systems (ASC)
ASC programmable logic controller-based systems will also stand alone as a system
from the marshalling racks. Loops will be classified as open loops and assigned to the
ASC system. Communication protocols with the DCS and local control panels must be
aligned during the design phase.
2.5 Instrument / Electrical Systems Interfaces
Where there are interfaces between electrical and instrument systems, the instrument
limit will normally be at the terminals of the item of electrical equipment shown on the
instrument loop diagram.

Page 102 PR-1159 - Commissioning and Startup Printed 17/11/11

The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.
 Revision: 2.0
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective: Nov-11

3. Power Distribution and Electrical Subsystems

3.1 Power Distribution Networks
Power distribution networks will be divided into subsystems according to the distribution
voltage e.g.:
 33.3kV
 6.6kV
 440V
 24V dc
 UPS
In addition, distribution networks may be subdivided according to complexity and
category of service e.g.:
 Normal supply
 Back-up supply
 Emergency service
Switchboards and distribution boards are dedicated to a service to form the basis of an
electrical subsystem, each of which stands alone in terms of its capability for safe
isolation for pre-commissioning and commissioning (and maintenance) independently
of adjacent systems.
The interface isolation points between subsystems will be determined by consideration
of the required commissioning energisation sequence and availability during breakdown
and routine maintenance.
Typical subsystem limits are:
 Transformers
 Incoming breakers on switchboards and distribution boards
An electrical subsystem will contain all items relative to the distribution network but
excluding starters, contactors, switches and fuses etc where the electrical device is
allocated to a process or utility system. For example, where the electrically powered
device is a motor, then the starter, control cable, power cable, start switch and motor
will all be included in the relevant subsystem. The interface with the instrument system
will be at the point of termination of any electrical control or signal into an instrument
device e.g. marshalling cabinet, F&G cabinet etc.
3.2 Trace Heating
For ease of commissioning with the associated piping systems, trace heating will be
treated differently from the rationale described above. The circuit-breaker/fuse, cabling
and associated junction boxes will be grouped within an electrical subsystem. Trace
heating tapes will then be zoned according to the process or utility system to which the
piping is allocated.
3.3 Multi-core Cables
For all multi-core cables, the cores or pairs which are connected to equipment
belonging to different subsystems will be included in a specific multi-core subsystem or
control and safeguarding systems, e.g. ESD, fire and gas, DCS etc. The subsystem
limits will be:
 At the output racks of the marshalling cabinet or equipment cabinet
 At field junction boxes
Page 103 PR-1159 - Commissioning and Startup Printed 17/11/11
The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.
 Revision: 2.0
Petroleum Development Oman LLC Effective: Nov-11

The junction boxes will be part of the multi-cores sub-system. Multi-core cables, where
all cores are connected to a single subsystem, will belong together with the junction box
to that subsystem.
4. Mechanical Equipment
Items of mechanical equipment will fall within the limits of the parent process or utility
system. In some cases it may be justified to designate complete vendor packages as
subsystems for optimal utilisation of manufacturing resource with pre-commissioning
activities. Additionally, spared equipment may be designated as complete subsystems
for the purpose of later streamlining completions activities to achieve earliest oil and or
gas production. In this case, positive isolation of piping, control, crossover and any
associated fire and gas protection/detection must again be addressed during design.
Typical examples are:
 Gas compression Train 1
 Instrument air compressor/drier A
 6.6kV transformer B
 Flare drum recovery pump A
5. Telecommunications
5.1 Radio System
When line-of-sight multi-channel techniques are utilised, the multiplexer will be included
in the radio system. The multiplexer device will interface between telephones,
computers and telefax devices. The limits of this subsystem will be the input terminals
on the multiplexer.
In cases where a telephone patch interface is used to patch a public address system
and/or radio into a telephone system, the telephone patches will be included in the
telephone or the radio system depending upon the design.
5.2 Telephones
The telephone subsystem will include PABX, operator console, facsimile, telex; main
distribution frame and cabling out to the multiplexer and/or single unit radio transceiver,
together with cabling to the public address control panels.
5.3 Public Address
The public address system will include alarm racks, amplifier, control panel, override
station, loudspeakers and interconnecting cabling. The limit of the subsystem will be
the input/output terminals on the control panel and the input loop terminals on the alarm
rack from the F&G detection system.
6. Other Special Cases
In the event that the above delineation rules do not cover a particular case, then the
EPC contractor will develop a proposal and submit for Company approval.

Page 104 PR-1159 - Commissioning and Startup Printed 17/11/11

The controlled version of this CMF Document resides online in Livelink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED.