Risk analysis

Since 2004, Total has set up a risk analysis method that has gradually been applied at all our industrial sites. Our initiative aims to reduce risks to the lowest reasonably practicable level. Risks are systematically analyzed for new facilities and then periodically for all sites in operation. A new analysis is also conducted when significant changes are made to existing sites.

This approach can be broken down into several phases:

• Identification and characterization of hazards
• Preliminary risk assessment, which allows us to select the scenarios which need to be studied in detail
• Detailed quantitative analyses of the most significant risks, selected during the previous phase

Depending on its position in the matrix below, appropriate measures are taken to reduce the facility’s risk and shift it towards the lowest reasonably practicable level.

ALARP = As Low As Reasonably Practicable = the lowest level that can reasonably be reached.

The conclusions of this analysis are followed up with a top priority plan to reduce risks.

In France, our risk analysis method has been applied in compliance with the Act of July 30, 2003.

Technological Risk Prevention Plans: the Group’s sites are ready for the consultation phase

In France, one of the main objectives of the Act of July 30, 2003 is to ensure that Technological Risk Prevention Plans (PPRT) are prepared for facilities subject to the European Union Seveso Directive. These plans are a response to the need for more careful regulation of future urban development around industrial sites, but also the need to modify existing land uses to reduce the damages a serious accident could cause.

In France, Total operates sixty-three Seveso facilities. Among them, 43 prevention plans were prescribed as of the end of 2009, including five for refineries, and two PPRT have been completely finalized.

The process is now well under way. All the sites concerned have finalized the technical information public authorities need to officially start defining urban zoning rules and begin consultations with local elected officials, associations and residents. These discussions are taking place within Local Information and Dialogue Committees (CLIC), whose role is to examine urban development rules proposed by public authorities.

Dealing with aging facilities – A modernization plan for industrial sites

Several incidents and accidents that have occurred over the last few years at French industrial facilities have highlighted the problem of aging facilities, their maintenance and supervision.

Starting with the observation that, due to the age of French industrial sites, such incidents and accidents could happen again if monitoring, maintenance and replacement tools are not optimized, at the end of 2008 the Ministry of Sustainable Development (MEEDDM) launched a plan for modernizing industrial facilities. The plan concerns petroleum, petrochemical and chemical facilities in France.

Several task forces, with industry and government authorities representatives, were set up at the start of 2009 in order to make proposals in the following fields: civil engineering, storage tanks, pipelines, pipe capacities on industrial sites and safety instrumentation.

Total has invested heavily in preparing these measures (38 in all), which have finally been approved by authorities and industrialists and were presented at a colloquium organized by the MEEDDM in the presence of the Minister, Chantal JOUANNO, on January 13, 2010.