Risk based inspection
Encyclopedia
Risk Based Inspection is a risk
based approach to prioritizing and planning inspection used in engineering
industries, and predominant in the oil
and gas industries. This type of inspection
planning analyses the probability
(or likelihood
) and consequence of failure of an asset to calculate its risk of failure. The level of risk is used develop a prioritised inspection plan for the asset. It is related to (or sometimes a part of) Risk Based Asset Management (RBAM), Risk Based Integrity Management (RBIM) and Risk Based Management (RBM).
It is used to prioritise inspection, usually by the means of non-destructive testing (NDT), requirements for major oil platform
s, refineries
and chemical installations around the world. The resulting inspection plan outlines the type and frequency of inspection for the asset. It is used for industrial pipework, process systems, pipeline
s, structures and many other types of assets in these industries.
Items with high probability and high consequence (i.e. high risk) are given a higher priority for inspection than items that are high probability but for which failure has low consequences. This strategy allows for a rational investment of inspection resources.
Following an explosion
in April 2001, the ConocoPhillips
-owned Humber Refinery
in the United Kingdom
was found guilty of failing to appropriately monitor the deterioration of its pipework. An RBI programme has since been employed by the company.
Risk Based Inspection is an inspection planning tool rated under Risk and Reliability Management (RRM).
system, to give an agreed “operating window”, and to implement a risk management
tool.
Risk Based Inspection (RBI) is a proven method used to optimize inspection activities based on risk analysis. RBI improves plant reliability and safety whilst reducing unplanned outages and repair costs. Once the RBI program is operational inspection learning is fed back to help lower the risk profile of an asset’s equipment.
RP 580 & 581.
Risk
Risk is the potential that a chosen action or activity will lead to a loss . The notion implies that a choice having an influence on the outcome exists . Potential losses themselves may also be called "risks"...
based approach to prioritizing and planning inspection used in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
industries, and predominant in the oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and gas industries. This type of inspection
Inspection
An inspection is, most generally, an organized examination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity...
planning analyses the probability
Probability
Probability is ordinarily used to describe an attitude of mind towards some proposition of whose truth we arenot certain. The proposition of interest is usually of the form "Will a specific event occur?" The attitude of mind is of the form "How certain are we that the event will occur?" The...
(or likelihood
Likelihood
Likelihood is a measure of how likely an event is, and can be expressed in terms of, for example, probability or odds in favor.-Likelihood function:...
) and consequence of failure of an asset to calculate its risk of failure. The level of risk is used develop a prioritised inspection plan for the asset. It is related to (or sometimes a part of) Risk Based Asset Management (RBAM), Risk Based Integrity Management (RBIM) and Risk Based Management (RBM).
It is used to prioritise inspection, usually by the means of non-destructive testing (NDT), requirements for major oil platform
Oil platform
An oil platform, also referred to as an offshore platform or, somewhat incorrectly, oil rig, is a lаrge structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing...
s, refineries
Refinery
A refinery is a production facility composed of a group of chemical engineering unit processes and unit operations refining certain materials or converting raw material into products of value.-Types of refineries:Different types of refineries are as follows:...
and chemical installations around the world. The resulting inspection plan outlines the type and frequency of inspection for the asset. It is used for industrial pipework, process systems, pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
s, structures and many other types of assets in these industries.
Items with high probability and high consequence (i.e. high risk) are given a higher priority for inspection than items that are high probability but for which failure has low consequences. This strategy allows for a rational investment of inspection resources.
Following an explosion
2001 Humber Refinery explosion
The 2001 Humber Refinery explosion was a major incident at the then Conoco-owned Humber Refinery at South Killingholme in North Lincolnshire. A large explosion occurred on the Saturate Gas Plant area of the site on Easter Monday, 16 April 2001 at approximately 2:20 p.m...
in April 2001, the ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips Company is an American multinational energy corporation with its headquarters located in the Energy Corridor district of Houston, Texas in the United States...
-owned Humber Refinery
Humber Refinery
The Humber Refinery is a British oil refinery in South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire. It is situated south of the railway line next to the A160; Total's Lindsey Oil Refinery is north of the railway line....
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
was found guilty of failing to appropriately monitor the deterioration of its pipework. An RBI programme has since been employed by the company.
Risk Based Inspection is an inspection planning tool rated under Risk and Reliability Management (RRM).
Objectives
RBI will assist a company to select cost effective and appropriate maintenance and inspection tasks and techniques, to optimize such efforts and cost, to shift from a reactive to a proactive maintenance regime, to produce an auditableIntegrity engineering audit
An Integrity engineering Audit is carried out within an Integrity engineering function so as to ensure compliance with International, National, company specific standards and regulations....
system, to give an agreed “operating window”, and to implement a risk management
Risk management
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
tool.
Risk Based Inspection (RBI) is a proven method used to optimize inspection activities based on risk analysis. RBI improves plant reliability and safety whilst reducing unplanned outages and repair costs. Once the RBI program is operational inspection learning is fed back to help lower the risk profile of an asset’s equipment.
Purposes
The purposes of RBI include:- To move away from time based inspection often governed by minimum compliance with rules, regulations and standards for inspection.
- To apply a strategy of doing what is needed for safeguarding integrity and improving reliability and availability of the asset by planning and executing those inspections that are needed.
- To provide economic benefits such as fewer inspections, fewer or shorter shutdowns and longer run length.
- To safeguard integrity.
- To reduce the risk of failure.
- To Increase plant availability and reduce unplanned outages.
- To Reduce inspection and maintenance costs without compromising safety or reliability.
- To provide a flexible technique able to continuously improve and adopt to changing risk environment.
- To ensure Inspection techniques and methods are clearly defined based on thorough understanding of potential failure modes
Standards
There are many international engineering standards and recommended practices that outline requirements, methodologies and the implementation of RBI. Included in these are APIAmerican Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute, commonly referred to as API, is the largest U.S trade association for the oil and natural gas industry...
RP 580 & 581.