by Michael Hurley, 7/11/2024
Tags: API 580 API 581 Damage Mechanisms Mechanical Integrity Risk Based Inspection
What are equipment/inspection strategies in relation to mechanical integrity (MI) and risk based inspection (RBI)? It is a simple answer, but can be complicated to produce a documented set. API RP 581 has gone as far as the RAGAGEP can go since it is up to the Owner/User to define them as they are responsible for their risk. Knowing strategy/effectiveness tables are likely to be used without modification therefore AOC created a set that can be used as inspection recommendations out of the box.
by Steve Elmer, 6/17/2024
Tags: API 580 Risk Based Inspection
What are the requirements of API 580, 4th edition? It can be tedious sorting out the "shalls" from the "shoulds". Fortunately, our training team has been kind enough to do this for us. But don't tell them I told you.
by Paul Sheriff, 5/26/2021
Tags: HSE Mechanical Integrity Risk Based Inspection Value
The prime objective of a Site's Mechanical Integrity programme should be to eliminate any unintentional releases of stored energy. Most Sites implement Risk Based Inspection for three obvious reasons. However, as well as these reasons other less obvious but still positive benefits can be achieved through the implementation. These less obvious reasons could be equally valuable to the efficient operation of the Site.
by Michael Hurley, 3/11/2021
Tags: Damage Mechanisms Inspection Mechanical Integrity Process Safety Management Regulation Risk Analysis Risk Based Inspection Risk Management
PHMSA has out a new rule for underground natural gas storage facilities (UNGSFs). This is practical approach to incorporating gas wells into your mechanical integrity program with the rest of your surface and subsurface assets.
by Michael Hurley, 2/16/2021
Tags: Asset Performance Management Mechanical Integrity Risk Based Inspection
VP of Technology, Mike Hurley, looks at the concept of Asset Value Management in the financial sector and compares it with Asset Performance Management (APM) with respect to our industry. He goes further to propose a new definition of AVM as applicable to the petrochemical industry and begins the conversation of AVM vs APM.
by Michael Hurley, 2/4/2021
Tags: API 581 Mechanical Integrity Process Safety Management Risk Analysis Risk Based Inspection Risk Management Technology
This article deals with a proposal for a risk analysis option that allows for individual damage mechanism risk calculation. This is an example of how it can be applied and how it domonstrates value.
by Michael Hurley, 1/27/2021
Tags: API 581 Mechanical Integrity Process Safety Management Risk Analysis Risk Based Inspection Risk Management Technology
This article deals with a proposal for a risk analysis option that allows for individual damage mechanism risk calculation. This allows for these individual damage mechanism risks to be compared to a risk target that when reached generates an inspection task with its own due date.
by Michael Hurley, 1/21/2021
Tags: Mechanical Integrity Process Safety Management Risk Based Inspection Risk Management
This article deals with the value of going directly to an Risk Based Inspection (RBI) program from nothing or transitioning from a time/condition based program and demonstrates that an RBI program is the efficient use of resources.
by Travis Gaston, 6/9/2020
Tags: Data Collection Data Validation Human Factors Inspection Risk Based Inspection
Aside from the direct benefits of implementing a Risk Based Inspection (RBI) program such as cost savings, optimized inspection planning, and reduced risk, RBI programs have a number of other benefits. This article looks at some of these secondary benefits including equipment verification, better organization of data, deeper understanding of facility status, and improved inter-team collaboration.
by James Leonard, 9/1/2019
Tags: Damage Mechanisms Data Collection Risk Based Inspection
The 7th installment in our series covers environmental cracking. James Leonard, RBI Team Leader, discusses the additional process data that may be needed to determine environmental cracking damage potential when environment, stress, and metallurgy are so alligned so as to indicate susceptibility to this damage mechanism.
by Vibha Zaman, 8/26/2019
Tags: Damage Mechanisms Data Collection Risk Based Inspection
Gathering adequate process data to determine HTHA susceptibility is sometimes a difficult and time consuming task. Therefore a simple screening can be performed to determine if more detailed process data is required. Senior Corrosion Specialist, Vibha Zaman, discusses the screening process and what factors to consider when more data is required.
by Don Conger, 7/30/2019
Tags: Data Collection Inspection Risk Based Inspection
Don Conger, Senior Consultant at AOC, discusses the inherent subjectivity of evaluating inspection effectiveness. Too much subjectivity can lead to inconsistent results in your inspection effectiveness evaluation. This subjectivity can be mitigated through up-front activities including training, documentation, quality control, and planning.
by Vibha Zaman, 6/17/2019
Tags: Risk Based Inspection
In our fifth article in our series on providing process conditions for Risk Based Inspection, one of our senior corrosion specialists discusses several damage mechanisms that are often associated with equipment operating at low temperatures. As with the other topics of this series, we point out additional factors, beyond the standard inputs, that need to be considered when dealing with equipment in this class.
by Leomar Penuela, 5/7/2019
Tags: Damage Mechanisms Probability Risk Based Inspection
In this fourth, of our eight-part series covering various guidelines for providing process conditions for Risk Based Inspection (RBI), a senior corrosion specialist discusses two groups of damage mechanisms that can result from high temperatures. We note that the standard inputs to your RBI software are not always sufficient to capture these damage mechanisms and provide some additional guidelines to take into consideration.
by Lawrence Petersen, 2/28/2019
Tags: Consequence Risk Based Inspection
In this third of our eight part series covering various guidelines for providing process conditions for RBI, one of our senior consultants discusses process fluids and consequence models with respect to Risk Based Inspection. This article identifies several factors to consider when selecting a representative fluid for the determination of consequence.
by Leon Johnson, 1/22/2019
Tags: Human Factors Risk Based Inspection Training
Our VP of Performance and Learning discusses some things to investigate when evaluating training providers for your API learning needs. While there are many vendors out there that bill their ability to provide training for American Petroleum Institute (API) certification and education, not all vendors are created equal. Some up-front research can go a long way toward a high-quality learning experience.
by Scott Jones, 1/15/2019
Tags: API 580 Human Factors Office Life Risk Based Inspection Skills Validation Training
Scott Jones, President of AOC, talks about our goal of having 100% of our RBI staff certified to API 580. A long-standing vision of AOC, we are well on our way to meeting this goal. This certification demonstrates industry recognition of our consultants and is indicative of our commitment to providing high quality services to our clients.
by Don Conger, 1/8/2019
Tags: CUI Data Collection Risk Based Inspection
In this second of our eight part series covering various guidelines for providing process conditions for RBI, one of our senior consultants discusses Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) and how it relates to Risk Based Inspection. This article identifies several factors to consider during data collection as well as points out some guidelines for selecting potential inspection locations.
by Vibha Zaman, 10/24/2018
Tags: Risk Based Inspection
Our Senior Corrosion and Mechanical Integrity specialists provide useful insights into the determination of the process information to be used for Risk Based Inspection (RBI) projects. Incorrectly assigning process conditions for a particular piece of equipment can result in overlooking a variety of applicable damage mechanisms and a skewed calculation of risk. Guidance derived from experience is provided to ensure the process conditions are appropriately identified for a number scenarios that have an impact on damage mechanisms and consequence calculations.
This is the first in this eight-part series.
by Lenin Elorza, 8/27/2018
Tags: Mechanical Integrity Risk Based Inspection
An AOC Consultant facilitates a virtual panel of Risk Based Inspection (RBI) experts to gain insight into the challenges and value of RBI implementation. Our experts consider why organizations implement RBI, common challenges, and strengths of an RBI champion.
by Rob Sladek, 8/7/2018
Tags: Consequence Probability Process Safety Management Risk Risk Based Inspection
How the application of qualitative RBI helped a client prioritize equipment damage mitigation in order to effectively scope a refurbishment project and achieve their system reliability goals. This scenario highlights a significant problem for some refrigeration system owner/users who may be maintaining their assets as prescribed but are unaware of the damage mechanisms that could affect the reliability of their assets and safety of their personnel.
by Paul Raithby, 6/26/2018
Tags: Mechanical Integrity Risk Based Inspection
Things are always changing. Including your risk profile. AOC helps companies manage their dynamic Mechanical Integrity (MI) risk. AOC can help you implement and sustain an effective Risk Based Inspection (RBI) program.
by Leon Johnson, 6/12/2018
Tags: Community Outreach Consequence Probability Risk Based Inspection Risk Management
One of our consultants brings Risk Based Inspection into the grade school classroom for Career Day.