Integripedia Topic
API RP 581 - Risk Based Inspection Technology
API RP 581, Risk-Based Inspection Technology, Third Edition, is a recommended practice developed and published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to provide quantitative risk-based inspection (RBI) methods that support the minimum guidelines presented by API RP 580. Originally released in 2000 and last updated in April of 2016 (third edition), this document details the procedures and methodology of RBI, an integrated methodology that uses risk as a basis for prioritizing and managing an in-service equipment inspection program by analyzing both the likelihood and the consequences of equipment failure.
Risk-based inspection (RBI) is a methodology that involves quantitative assessment of the probability of failure (PoF) and the consequence of failure (CoF) associated with each equipment item in a particular process unit. A properly-implemented RBI program categorizes individual pieces of equipment by their risks, prioritizes inspection efforts, and provides guidance for risk mitigation efforts, such as changes in materials of construction, the addition of linings, changes in operating conditions, etc.
API RP 581 was based on the knowledge and experience of several global practitioners of RBI with extensive experience in its implementation. According to API 581, an RBI program has four major goals:
- Identify and measure risk for all covered equipment.
- Impart an accurate understanding of risks and risk drivers.
- Enable effective risk management.
- Reduce risks associated with operating processing facilities.
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BlogDecember 29, 2020 By John Reynolds at Intertek
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July/August 2020 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ibrahim Kodssi at Husky Energy, and Hussain Fadhel
This article explores the API RP 581 third edition approach to HTHA damage factor calculations to obtain a probability of failure that subsequently affects risk. Sample calculations are provided to affirm an understanding of the concept.
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BlogJune 25, 2020 By John Reynolds at Intertek
A summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the API Spring Refining and Equipment Standards Meeting that was held via virtual conferencing.
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BlogDecember 26, 2019 By John Reynolds at Intertek
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A summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the Spring Meeting, including the recently-held API Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, subcommittee activities, and progress with the API Individual Certification Program.
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Advantages of Performing Risk-Based Inspection Analyses During Project Design and Construction Stages
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January/February 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Houssam Sabry at ADNOC LNG, and Asad Ali at ADNOC LNG
An effective RBI system implementation results in, not only safeguarding your assets & people, but can also reduce unnecessary inspection activities that may be required due to conventional & nonsystematic approaches.
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BlogJanuary 9, 2019 By John Reynolds at Intertek
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November/December 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
This article shares examples of where RBI work processes either broke down or were non-existent, or where the user did not fully understand the technology or overall RBI logic and the results.
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Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) Meetings at the Fall 2018 API Standards MeetingBlogDecember 27, 2018 By John Reynolds at Intertek
A quick summary of some of the important topics that were discussed at the Fall Meeting, including the upcoming API Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, subcommittee activities, and progress with the API Individual Certification Program.
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July/August 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ibrahim Kodssi at Husky Energy
Software implementation, including RBI, comes with a lot of ad-hoc challenges and pitfalls. There are numerous options for RBI software currently available, and they may differ by design, purpose, function, scope and capabilities. This article...
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May/June 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Dheeraj Narang at Haldor Topsoe India Pvt Ltd.
This article intends to use a top-down approach of describing RBI methodology and how it fits in a facility management system. The main idea of this article is to provide a comprehensive picture of RBI methodology in terms of basics, technology...
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March/April 2018 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ibrahim Kodssi at Husky Energy, and Houssam Sabry at ADNOC LNG
Implementing RBI for process piping can be a very tedious and lengthy exercise, especially for major process plants with thousands of feet of interconnected piping. This article shares the experience of ADNOC LNG following a structured RBI approach...
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March/April 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Fernando Vicente at ABB, and Laza Krstin at ABB
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November/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Human factors, inspection effectiveness, and RBI all play an important role in running an effective asset management program. This article discusses how each is applicable to inspecting equipment in processing facilities.
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Examining the Latest Changes to API RP 581 Risk-Based Inspection Methodology Thinning and the Probability of Failure CalculationsNovember/December 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
This paper provides the background for the technology behind the Third Edition thinning model as well as step-by-step worked examples demonstrating the methodology for thinning in this new edition of API RP 581.
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Reynolds Wrap Up: Highlights from the API Subcommittee on Inspection and Mechanical Integrity (SCIMI) Meeting at the Fall API Standards MeetingBlogDecember 29, 2016 By John Reynolds at Intertek
The Fall API Standards Meeting was incredibly productive and addressed, among other issues, the API Inspection Summit, balloting for the 11th edition of API 510, and improvements to the inspection section of each damage mechanism in API RP 571.
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BlogSeptember 12, 2016 By Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
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BlogJuly 15, 2016 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
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May/June 2016 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
This brief article contains updates and highlights related to the Subcommittee on Inspection (SCI) at the 2016 API Spring Refining Equipment and Standards Meeting.
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BlogMay 16, 2016 By Valerie Magyari at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.
When was the last time you reviewed your Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodology? Are you using calculation procedures for probability of failure, consequence of failure, and risk that haven’t had their basis reviewed in years?
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Reynold's Wrap Up: Highlights from the Subcommittee on Inspection Meeting at the Fall 2015 API Refining Standards MeetingBlogJanuary 4, 2016 By John Reynolds at Intertek
This article provides a summary of the Subcommittee on Inspection (SCI) discussions that occurred at the Fall 2015 API Refining Standards Meeting, including the Inspection Summit Planning Committee and the API ICP Task Group.
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July/August 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Asset managers need to know when repairs and replacement are required for many reasons, including safe operation, accurate budgeting, replacement planning, and on-going reliability. When predicting design life based on a simple, linear corrosion...
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BlogNovember 17, 2014 By John Reynolds at Intertek
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May/June 2014 Inspectioneering JournalBy Luciano Narcisi at Stork AMT
As an RBI consultant, I frequently get involved in discussions spawned from a misunderstanding of the relation between Risk Based Inspection (RBI) approaches and Fitness for Service (FFS) assessments. Questions like: If thickness is below the...
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BlogApril 21, 2014 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
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BlogSeptember 9, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
We’ve been discussing Scalable Accuracy and its use related to Lifecycle Management technologies available to owner/operators. The last few topics have included Risk Based Inspection, Fitness for Service using Accuracy, the approach for Equipment...
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BlogSeptember 3, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
We’ve been discussing Scalable Accuracy and its use related to Lifecycle Management technologies available to owner/operators. The last few topics have included Fitness for Service using Scalable Accuracy, the approach for Equipment Lifecycle...
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BlogJune 3, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
This is the third of four blogs in a series about Risk Based Inspection (RBI). You can read the previous blogs on a history and reasons for RBI and on starting to define risk. This post deals with the second half of the equation used to define...
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BlogMay 20, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal
Anyone who knows me knows that Risk Based Inspection (RBI), and Risk Management, are a passion of mine, so my next few posts will feature these topics. These are not all-inclusive, but Inspectioneering.com has dozens of articles and you can...
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November/December 2012 Inspectioneering JournalBy Ryan Corn at Marathon Petroleum Company LP, and Matthew K. Caserta, PE at Becht Pono Division
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API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example ProblemMay/June 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
This article is Part 3 of a 3-Part series. The articles in this series provide a step-by-step example of utilization of API RP 581 and build off of each other. This article (Part 3) will cover the final risk analysis, inspection planning, provide a...
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API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example ProblemMarch/April 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
The previous article (Part 1) covered Probability of Failure (POF), including modeling of thinning and stress corrosion cracking and demonstrated how API RBI provides credits for past inspections, considering their effectiveness in detecting those...
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API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example ProblemJanuary/February 2009 Inspectioneering JournalBy Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital
This article provides a unique opportunity to guide the reader through API RBI quantitative calculations per API RP 581, Second Edition, September 2008, using real data. The author guides you step by step from input data to final answers including,...
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January/February 2000 Inspectioneering JournalBy Gene R. Meyer at The Dow Chemical Company
Part 1 provided a review of RBI for pressure vessels and piping and an introduction to application of RBI to rotating equipment and the differences between approaching the two different types of equipment. As promised, Part 2 will delve more deeply...
Pinnacle builds and runs programs that empower facilities to make value-based decisions on how to manage risk, resulting in safe and profitable operations. We have gathered, organized, and analyzed more mechanical integrity and reliability data than any other company in the world.
Pinnacle builds and runs programs that empower facilities to make value-based decisions on how to manage risk, resulting in safe and profitable operations. We have gathered, organized, and analyzed more mechanical integrity and reliability data than any other company in the world.
Quest Integrity is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity and reliability management services. Our integrated solutions consist of technology-enabled, advanced inspection and engineering assessment services and products that help organizations in the pipeline, refining, chemical, syngas and power industries improve operational planning, increase profitability, and reduce operational and safety risks.
Quest Integrity is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity and reliability management services. Our integrated solutions consist of technology-enabled, advanced inspection and engineering assessment services and products that help organizations in the pipeline, refining, chemical, syngas and power industries improve operational planning, increase profitability, and reduce operational and safety risks.
Operational Sustainability, LLC® helps transform organizations through Intelligent Operations, leading to Operational Excellence. We holistically address key areas, moving you from separate departments to a resilient organization with real-time risk visibility and operational control through consulting, OESuite™ software, and technical content.
Operational Sustainability, LLC® helps transform organizations through Intelligent Operations, leading to Operational Excellence. We holistically address key areas, moving you from separate departments to a resilient organization with real-time risk visibility and operational control through consulting, OESuite™ software, and technical content.
PK Technology is a full-service inspection contractor, as well as, an in-house software development company specializing in the Oil and Gas industry. PK Technology is the creator of intelliSPEC, the worlds first Digital Data Management System (DDMS) which is a robust and intelligent solution designed to digitize, analyze and realize all vital data.
PK Technology is a full-service inspection contractor, as well as, an in-house software development company specializing in the Oil and Gas industry. PK Technology is the creator of intelliSPEC, the worlds first Digital Data Management System (DDMS) which is a robust and intelligent solution designed to digitize, analyze and realize all vital data.
MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a US-based, leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets.
MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a US-based, leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets.
E²G, an employee-owned engineering firm specializing in consulting services for new and aging infrastructure in refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries. E²G helps clients improve profitability with consulting strategies and software tools that manage risk & control inspection costs throughout the life-cycle of a facility’s equipment.
E²G, an employee-owned engineering firm specializing in consulting services for new and aging infrastructure in refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries. E²G helps clients improve profitability with consulting strategies and software tools that manage risk & control inspection costs throughout the life-cycle of a facility’s equipment.
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Published on June 19, 2019In this Whiteboard Discussion, Chief Editor Greg Alvarado discusses the concept of "Scalable Accuracy," a term used to describe the varying levels of detail necessary to consider when planning and conducting a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) assessment
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Published on April 24, 2017Greg Alvarado explains the inspection effectiveness tables found in API RP 581, the importance of them, and how they should be used.
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Published on March 24, 2017Greg Alvarado discusses the concept of "risk in square feet per year", a powerful metric found in the API RP 581 Risk Based Inspection methodology. Understanding metrics such as this one will allow you to begin trending your risks, identifying best...
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Published on February 17, 2017Greg Alvarado explains the concept of RBI risk thresholds: "How much confidence do I need to have in what I believe to be the true damage state of the equipment?"
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