Canada’s approach to valve placement is influenced by it harsh climate.
The approach to valve placement and access in oil and gas facilities can vary significantly between countries. This article compares practices in Brazil and Canada, highlighting key differences shaped by climate, codes, culture, and safety priorities in oil and gas plant design.
By Carla Cardoso Scaldaferri, Mechanical Designer
In oil and gas facilities, valve access is not just a design detail – it’s a matter of safety, efficiency and regulatory compliance. Whether for isolation, emergency shutdown or routine maintenance, valves must be accessible under all operating conditions.
Design codes and engineering philosophy
Brazil: Valve access in Brazilian oil and gas facilities follows NR-13, NR-10, ABNT NBR norms and internal company standards (such as Petrobras specifications). While major operators like Petrobras enforce strict design rules, smaller projects may offer more design freedom, resulting in variability in valve positioning and platform access.
Canada: In Canada, engineering is driven by rigorous standards like ASME B31.3, CSA Z662 (oil and gas pipelines), and OH&S requirements. Valve access is reviewed during every stage of design, especially in brownfield or upstream facilities where quick shutdowns and emergency access are critical.
Key difference: Canadian designs follow stricter enforcement of detailed accessibility standards from the early FEED stages, whereas in Brazil, the approach can be more pragmatic, depending on the operator and project scale.
About the author
Carla Cardoso Scaldaferri has professional experience in the oil and gas industry in both Brazil and Canada. She has worked as a mechanical engineer in Brazil and currently works in Canada as a mechanical designer, focusing on piping and plant design. Carla’s main interest in this article is comparing engineering and design practices between the two countries, especially in areas such as valve accessibility, ergonomics, and constructability.
Maintenance access and turnaround planning
Brazil: Turnarounds (paradas de manutenção) are routine in Brazilian oil and gas facilities. However, valve accessibility during maintenance is often compromised by tight layouts, crowded pipe racks and insufficient early planning. In many installations – especially older or mid-size plants – full 3D models are not available, limiting digital pre-turnaround simulations.
While project-phase previews of maintenance access are increasing, they are not yet standard practice. Field technicians often develop workaround solutions, and access limitations are accepted as part of the operating reality.
Canada: In Canadian projects, maintenance access is a critical consideration from early design. Teams conduct constructability and maintainability reviews – including valve access simulations using 3D models. Valve tagging, operational envelopes and lockout/tagout requirements are reviewed collaboratively. This ensures that maintenance scenarios are tested digitally, and valves are accessible without improvisation.
Key difference: In Canada, maintenance planning is built into the project lifecycle through 3D model validation. In Brazil, this step is less consistent, and field experience often compensates for limited early planning.
Ergonomics and worker safety
Brazil: In some Brazilian facilities, valves – especially manual block or bypass valves – may be located in elevated positions without platforms, requiring scaffolding or ladders. Recent greenfield projects show increasing concern for ergonomic positioning.
Canada: Canadian projects aim to follow zero-lift/zero-climb guidelines, targeting valve placement between 0.75 m and 1.5 m from the platform or grade. These targets are often part of client specifications and OH&S practices. However, in brownfield or remote facilities, valves without proper access may still be encountered due to retrofitting or cost constraints. Post-installation adjustments or field-built scaffolds may be required when design intent is not met.
Key difference: Canada prioritises ergonomic access in design, though practical challenges still occur. Brazil allows more design flexibility, often relying on field solutions.
Valve actuation methods
Brazil: In Petrobras-operated facilities, chain-operated valves are generally not allowed, due to safety concerns with corrosion, manual strain, and emergency response limitations. Design standards typically require valves to be accessible via platforms or remotely actuated using electric, pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
Canada: In Canada, chain-assisted valves are accepted in non-critical applications, particularly in utility areas, tank farms or when retrofitting. They must meet ergonomic and safety standards (e.g., corrosion-resistant chain, proper signage, verified in model reviews).
Key difference: Canada permits chain actuation under certain conditions; Brazil typically prohibits it under Petrobras specifications, requiring fixed access or automation.
Climate considerations
Brazil: Located in tropical and subtropical regions, Brazil’s oil and gas facilities don’t face freezing conditions. As such, valve insulation is only required for process reasons, not environmental factors. Outdoor valves are commonly exposed and generally accessible year-round.
Canada: Valves in Canadian facilities must remain operable in extreme cold (down to -40°C). Outdoor valves are insulated, heat-traced, and sometimes housed in heated boxes or shelters. Designers must account for snow accumulation, ice formation and PPE ergonomics during valve operation.
Key difference: Canadian valve access design incorporates climate mitigation, while Brazilian facilities are not affected by freeze risk and have fewer weather-related constraints.
3D Modelling usage
Brazil: The use of 3D modelling is widely adopted in Brazil’s oil and gas industry, especially in offshore projects, petrochemical plants, and major expansions. Software tools like PDMS, E3D, Plant 3D, SmartPlant, and Navisworks are commonly used for layout review, clash detection and construction planning. However, in smaller projects or maintenance activities, there are still cases where 2D deliverables or partial 3D models are used.
Canada: In Canada, 3D modelling is considered standard, even in brownfield and retrofit projects. Most clients require complete digital models for validating accessibility, safety and maintenance requirements, with tools fully integrated into the construction planning process.
Key difference: Both countries make significant use of 3D modelling, but Canada tends to apply it more consistently, even in smaller projects.
Conclusion
Oil and gas facilities in both Brazil and Canada prioritise valve accessibility, but their strategies reflect different realities. Canada’s approach is shaped by its harsh climate, strong worker safety culture and digital-first design reviews. Brazil’s flexibility allows for cost-efficient solutions but can sometimes lead to accessibility trade-offs. For multinational engineers and designers, recognising these differences is essential when adapting international standards, aligning client expectations, and ensuring operational safety across borders.
Summary comparison table
| Aspect | Brazil | Canada |
| Design Standards | NR-13, NR-10, ABNT NBR; Petrobras specs for major projects | ASME B31.3, CSA Z662, OH&S; enforced throughout project stages |
| Project Phase Maintenance Preview | Occasional in major EPCs; limited in smaller projects | Standard practice during FEED and detail design with virtual walk-throughs |
| 3D Modeling Usage | Widely adopted in large-scale and offshore projects; smaller scopes may still face limitations | 3D modeling is standard even in brownfield projects; fully integrated with digital reviews |
| Valve Actuation (Chain) | Generally not allowed by Petrobras; prefer platform or remote actuation | Permitted in non-critical services; must meet ergonomic and safety standards |
| Ergonomic Access | More flexible; scaffolding or ladders used in some cases | Zero-lift/zero-climb preferred; valve height 0.75–1.5 m (though not always achieved in the field) |
| Climate Consideration | Tropical/subtropical climate; no freeze risk; outdoor valves usually uninsulated | Cold climate; valves must be heat-traced, insulated, and accessible in snow or ice conditions |
| Maintenance Culture | Heavily reliant on experienced field technicians and reactive solutions | Model-based planning; cross-functional team reviews for maintainability |
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