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Overview of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI)

Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) is an analysis methodology and process that, as opposed to condition-based inspection, requires qualitative or quantitative assessment of the probability of failure (PoF) and the consequence of failure (CoF) associated with each equipment item, piping circuits included, in a particular process unit. A properly-implemented RBI program categorizes individual pieces of equipment by their risks and prioritizes inspection efforts based on this categorization.

Probability of Failure

Probability of Failure (POF) is likelihood that a piece of equipment will fail at a given time and an important part of effective risk analyses. POF is half of the equation when determining risk as part of Risk Based Inspection (RBI) methodology. The POF, calculated together with the Consequence of Failure (COF), helps operators establish the risk level for a particular piece of equipment and set inspection intervals based on the calculated risk.  

POF is calculated for individual pieces of equipment by looking at the potential damage mechanisms it could be susceptible to, a general frequency of failures, and management system factors.  More details on POF are provided in the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice 580 - Risk Based Inspection (RBI), which contains directions on developing, implementing and maintaining an effective RBI program.

Consequence of Failure

Consequence of Failure (COF) is one part of the equation to determine risk as part of Risk Based Inspection (RBI) methodology. COF is calculated by reviewing and ranking the potential consequences for the equipment, personnel, environment, etc. in the event of equipment failure. More details on COF are given in API RP 580 - Risk Based Inspection (RBI), which contains directions on developing, implementing and maintaining an effective RBI program.

Why use RBI?

RBI is used to identify and understand risk, risk drivers, and where equipment is in its lifecycle. RBI can indicate whether inspection is needed; however this requires additional data that is extremely targeted to reduce the underlying uncertainties associated with the risks about the current and future predicted damage state of the equipment. RBI should not be used to recommend any inspection when it will not improve knowledge about the damage state. In those cases, where PoF is driving the risk, RBI should point to other mitigation options such as replacement, repair, or other actions that satisfy the risk criteria.

RBI can be used to prioritize inspection-related activities, usually by means of nondestructive testing (NDT), in order to reduce the uncertainties around the true damage state of the equipment and the dynamics leading to such. The resulting inspection plan may outline the type and scheduling of inspection for an asset. In addition to NDE, additional risk mitigation activities identified by an RBI assessment might include a change in material of construction, installation of corrosion resistant liners, operating condition changes, injection of corrosion inhibition chemicals, etc.

Consistency and repeatability of analysis are critical to producing an effective RBI program, as RBI is based on relative risks. Caution should be used when mixing RBI platforms (e.g., using a qualitative method to perform the initial screening and quantitative methods to conduct the final analysis). Complementary methodologies must be calibrated against one another to ensure valid cut sets are achieved.

Codes and Standards

International engineering standards and practices that relate to risk-based inspection include, but are not limited to, API RP 580 and 581, ASME PCC-3, and RIMAP. API RP 580 sets out the minimum guidelines for implementing an effective, credible RBI program. API RP 581 details the procedures and methodology of RBI.

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    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    One of the reasons we continue to have too many fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) events in the refining and process industries is the lack of understanding and appreciation by site management for the hazards posed by the 101 FEMI issues.

  • Defining the Optimal Life Management Strategy for Gas Heater Tubes
    May/June 2013 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Fernando Vicente at ABB

    Industrial furnaces are used extensively throughout the entire oil and gas industry, as well as other process industries such as pulp and paper, metals and mining, chemical, and petrochemical. An industrial furnace, or direct fired heater, is a piece of equipment used to provide heat for processing or can serve as a reactor which provides heat for the reaction.

  • Understanding Key Performance Indicators (Lest We Forget...) - Part 2
    Blog
    April 29, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    This is my second of three posts on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on requests and discussions on the issue.  In part 1 of this series I provided a brief overview of KPIs and their ability to predict good, poor, and sometimes dangerous performance in our quests to achieve certain objectives and goals.

  • Why do we inspect?
    Blog
    March 3, 2013 By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    This is a question with which I frequently like to start the API RBI 580/581 training course when I am instructing. It is meant to provoke the attendees to really think hard about why they order an inspection or really think about inspection strategies.

  • The New Acronym You Need to Know: FPI
    Partner Content

    Facilities are facing increasing challenges, including justifying inflated budgets, managing contractor hours, ensuring regulatory compliance and qualifying the work being completed. To help facilities manage evolving inspection requirements, PinnacleART offers Fixed-Price Inspection (FPI), meaning we will develop and execute a comprehensive Risk-Based Inspection plan for one fixed-price. Yes, you read that right – one fixed-price.

  • Risk-Based Inspection Program Implementation Case History
    November/December 2012 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Ryan Corn at Marathon Petroleum Company LP, and Matthew K. Caserta, PE at BASF

    As refiners continue operating aging infrastructure, safe operation and equipment availability continue to be key components of a sustainable operation. When considering optimizing inspection projects, more and more refiners are making Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) an integral part of their plan processes. When applied properly, RBI can focus inspection efforts using risk as a basis for prioritizing and managing an in-service inspection program.

  • A Discussion on the Piping Thickness Management Process
    September/October 2012 Inspectioneering Journal
    By A.C. Gysbers at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.

    Piping failures still represent a frustrating and ongoing problem for processing plants (example in Figure 1). Failures are commonly reported and contribute to large losses. As well per the author’s experience, piping still represents the highest percentage of the number of fixed equipment failures in petroleum refining.

  • Risk Based Inspection - Setting Risk Targets
    July/August 2012 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The question of how to set risk targets is a logical one and should be addressed prior to or in the very early stages of RBI implementation. This article will guide readers through the basic elements required to address this question within an organization, as all companies do not have the same risk philosophy and can adapt these elements to fit their own.

  • Reliability and Integrity Analysis of an Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger: A Case Study
    March/April 2012 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Fernando Vicente at ABB

    Air-cooled heat exchangers (AC-HEs) are used extensively throughout the oil and gas industry, from upstream production to refineries and petrochemical plants, under high pressure and high temperature conditions, as well as corrosive fluids and environments. Some defects and discontinuities can be introduced during the heat exchanger manufacturing process and are not necessarily found as part of QA/QC inspections.

  • Scalable Accuracy: Inspection Planning and RBI
    January/February 2012 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The various factors of the challenge, e.g. creating effective and then efficient inspection strategies, are at the crux of the decision process. Within each of these factors are questions that must be answered. The answers should be well thought through and provided as part of your risk-based inspection analysis process.

  • Effective mechanical integrity programs start with qualified and experienced personnel
    Partner Content

    If you are developing a mechanical integrity program, or you would like to optimize your existing mechanical integrity program, do you have qualified MI consultants to meet your regulatory needs? If you already have a sound, defensible MI inspection system in place, do you have qualified and experienced personnel maintaining your program?

  • More On Scalable Accuracy
    November/December 2011 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The original article on scalable accuracy which laid the groundwork for the concept was published in the March April 2011 issue of the Inspectioneering Journal, entitled Scalable Accuracy, Key Roles of Risk Based Inspection and Fitness for Service, Equipment Life-Cycle Management Process. This article is reprinted immediately following this article for ease of reference.

  • The Fourth Maintenance Revolution
    September/October 2011 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Barry Snider at Small Hammer Incorporated

    Maintenance has been around since prehistoric man fixed a broken, trusted spear instead of fashioning a new one. One concept of maintenance is any activity that extends the useful life or enhances the performance of an item of interest. A broad concept for sure but for most of recorded history, maintenance has been synonymous with fixing or repairing.

  • Results of a Successful Risk Based Inspection Study: Oil Stabilizer Facility
    March/April 2011 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Adnan A. Boudi, Ph.D, P.E., AVS. at SPE International

    Due to increasing market demands for stabilized crude, it is a high priority for oil handling and processing facilities to avoid production interruption. One optimization opportunity is to review our approach for scheduled facility Test and Inspection (T&I) during turnarounds or outages.

  • Scalable Accuracy
    March/April 2011 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    Two technologies, immediately available to plant operators for fixed equipment life-cycle management are Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) and Fitness for Service (FFS), two best practices that optimally work together or can standalone. Both have abilities of scalable accuracy.

  • High Temperature Hydrogen Attack Recent Progress and Where To Aim Joint Industry Activities
    November/December 2010 Inspectioneering Journal

    Understanding, predicting, detecting and controlling high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), have been elusive goals of materials engineers and scientists for over 70 years. The destruction of low alloy steel components exposed to hydrogen through the formation in the microstructure of high-pressure methane bubbles has led to many failures, fires, and sometimes deaths.

  • Have you determined whether or not your equipment is subject to Brittle Fracture?
    Partner Content

    Auto-refrigeration can impose low temperatures onto process vessels and piping causing them to be at risk of brittle fracture, the sudden break-before leak phenomena that can result in catastrophic rupture of the equipment.

  • The Role of Risk Assessment and Inspection Planning in Achieving Excellence in Pressure Equipment Integrity and Reliability
    September/October 2010 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    In the first article in this series entitled How to Put It All Together - Guide to Organizing a Successful PEI Program, (1) I provided an overview of the necessary Management Systems (MS) for a successful program to achieve excellence in pressure equipment integrity (PEI). This is the fifth article in that series. Clearly, Risk Assessment and Inspection Planning have a major role in achieving excellence in Pressure Equipment Integrity and Reliability (PEI&R).

  • Advancements in Integrity Management - Obtaining Greater Value from Thickness Data
    July/August 2010 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Craig Emslie BSc at Sonomatic Ltd., and Karen Gibson at Sonomatic Ltd.

    Inspection intervals for equipment have in the past been defined in a prescriptive manner. However, industry is now embracing the Risk Based Inspection (RBI) approach which in contrast prioritises inspections based on an assessment of the risk to each individual item.

  • Risk Based Method to Establish Inspection Intervals for Pressure Relief Devices
    May/June 2010 Inspectioneering Journal
    By P.A. Henry, P.E. at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc., D. Baham at ConocoPhillips, and Valerie Magyari at The Equity Engineering Group, Inc.

    This article describes the API Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) methodology for pressure relieving devices (PRDs) as detailed in the soon to be released 2nd edition of API 581 "Base Resource Document On Risk-Based Inspection" This methodology has been successfully used at several petrochemical facilities to establish risk-based inspection intervals for PRDs.

  • Flange Face Corrosion Inspection
    July/August 2009 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Willis Perry

    In the current economic environment, there is increasing pressure on petrochemical refineries and delivery systems to be more productive and to minimize unscheduled shutdowns due to leakage. Leakage can occur from either the piping itself or the joints of the pipes. In a refinery there are several thousands of feet of piping and associated joints, as shown in the photograph presented in Figure 1. Petrochemical leaks don't only cost the companies money for the time and material to repair a leak, but also to remediate the areas affected and the institution of stricter controls. Because of this pressure, the involved companies are looking to replace the current monitoring scheme with a more effective and cost efficient risk based inspection (RBI) program.

  • Mechanical Integrity Assessment of a Large NGL Pressure Vessel Case Study
    May/June 2009 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Fernando Vicente at ABB

    In the oil and gas industry, pressure vessel integrity is a major concern. After internal and external inspections various anomalies or defects can be reported and repairs could be required for pressure vessels in order to restore its original condition. The first question for engineers, operators and managers is, can we keep operating at this pressure level? Is it safe? Or do I have to take it out of service to repair?

  • Conventional, Digital and Computer Radiography
    Partner Content

    ProSource Radiography Services, a sister company and subsidiary of Pro-Surve is ready to tackle your radiography needs. Should you need a small bore piping survey or other need for computed radiography. ProSource can take conventional film, and convert them to digital files for easy naming and storage. ProSource is ready to be your Sole-Point-Of-Contact (SPOC) for your radiography needs.

  • API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example Problem
    May/June 2009 Inspectioneering Journal
    By 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 very helpful table of calculated results for each step to check your calculations against, and a glimpse of the future direction of API RP 581.

  • API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example Problem
    March/April 2009 Inspectioneering Journal
    By 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 specific damage types and the number of inspections performed. This article (Part 2) picks up where the previous left off by guiding the reader through the health, safety, and environmental and financial consequence calculations, including calculation of Consequence of Failure (COF).

  • API RP 581 Risk-based Inspection Technology Demonstrating the Technology Through a Worked Example Problem
    January/February 2009 Inspectioneering Journal
    By 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, probability of failure, consequence of failure, financial and risk return and metrics usage, and inspection planning.

  • Interview with Scot Haines, Hess Corporation Fixed Equipment Reliability Coordinator
    July/August 2008 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The following is an interview with Scot Haines, (Corrosion Engineering Advisor). The IJ wishes to thank Scot and the Hess Corporation for taking the time to share with the "IJ" community.

  • You Don't Get Something for Nothing - Risk-Based Inspection
    May/June 2008 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    Do we know how to free ourselves from the current level of thinking to rise to a higher level? It will take this for us to overcome many of our current challenges in the arena of equipment reliability.

  • Have you determined whether or not your equipment is subject to Brittle Fracture?
    Partner Content

    Auto-refrigeration can impose low temperatures onto process vessels and piping causing them to be at risk of brittle fracture, the sudden break-before leak phenomena that can result in catastrophic rupture of the equipment.

  • Importance of Data Management and Availability to Produce an Effective Inspection Program
    November/December 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Mark Vining at Sunoco Inc.

    Facilities are often content in compiling event data, entering thickness measurements, assigning a system description, tracking work requests and recommendations in their databases. These are certainly valuable data points but using your database for performing just these tasks relegates a valuable resource to nothing more than a ledger of inspection events. The value of these systems becomes more apparent when they are utilized to show you where you should be inspecting.

  • Risk Based Inspection - The Regulatory Acceptance Process
    November/December 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    Over the past 18 years of serious RBI involvement, it has become clear to me that there are certain hurdles, that when "cleared", have paved the way to jurisdictional acceptance of RBI (and fitness for service, for that matter). This article will cover many of these "steps", not all as they are numerous, that have lead to success in some of the "toughest" jurisdictions in the US and the world. On your marks, get set, here we go....

  • Where Do I Set My Risk Threshold?
    September/October 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    In my travels around the world as one of the primary API RBI 580/581 training course instructors the question always comes up, “What risk threshold or tolerable risk should I be using?” and “If I do not have one, how can I implement RBI?”

  • Risk-Based Inspection: Utilizing Metrics, Maximizing the Value
    May/June 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    This is part 2 in a multi-part series. Part 1 set the stage in explaining the basics of RBI. As I am most familiar with API Base Resource Document 581, I will continue to use this technical basis for this article.

  • Why Some Operating Sites "Just Don't Get It"
    May/June 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    From time to time, I'm asked why some operating sites don't seem to pay adequate attention to the need to protect and preserve pressure equipment integrity (PEI). Too often a few sites don't seem to "get it" until they have a major process safety event associated with a failure of pressure equipment. And unfortunately when that happens, they are suddenly on board with PEI needs and don't seem to be able to apply their available resources fast enough. Fortunately, I see less and less of this type behavior as time passes and the word spreads throughout the industry about PEI catastrophes and how to avoid them.

  • FTIS™ Furnace Tube Inspection System
    Partner Content

    Our proprietary furnace tube inspection system, FTIS™, is an ultrasonic inspection technology capable of rapid, automated fired heater coil inspection in refinery fired heaters. The data captured by our furnace tube inspection system is exceptionally powerful when combined with our LifeQuest™ remaining life assessment capabilities, providing an integrated solution set for refinery fired heaters in the refining and chemical industries.

  • Risk-Based Inspection
    March/April 2007 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    An earlier version of this updated article appeared in the January-February 1998 issue of the Inspectioneering Journal. It is hard to believe that nine years have passed so quickly. Fortunately the industry, as a whole, has learned much and technologies have advanced, in the interim. Unfortunately, in that time period plant infrastructures have aged and equipment has failed, sometimes with catastrophic results. Some failures were directly attributable to damage mechanisms and fixed equipment reliability program weaknesses. Often times related, we have seen, what appears to be breakdown in management systems, in refineries, chemical plants and exploration and production areas that lead or contributed to or enabled equipment failure 1, 2, 3 . On the other hand, organizations like the API (American Petroleum Institute) RBI User Group, API RP 579 Fitness for Service Committee, API Subcommittees on Inspection and Corrosion and Materials continue to move forward, desiring and acting to improve the effectiveness of fixed equipment reliability programs via implementation of sound risk based inspection technology and the creation of excellent supporting reference documents like API RP 571 on damage mechanisms. These committees continue to improve their codes and respective reference documents as do other organizations in various countries, such as NACE, EU CEN documents, the HSE, ABSA (the Alberta Boiler Safety Association), ASME, Australian authorities, the state of California and others too numerous to list.

  • Pressure Vessels and Piping for Refineries and Oil Production Facilities Inspection - RBI - Fitness for Service
    November/December 2006 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Don Cook at State of California

    On July 26, 2006, the State of California revised its Petroleum Safety Orders. The Petroleum Safety Orders are part of the California Code of Regulations Title 8 and address the health and safety requirements for places of employment in the State of California.

  • Risk-Based Inspection Case of Histories (Part 1 of 2): An Interview with Sean Johnson, Pressure Equipment Integrity Assurance Engineer for the Shell Martinez, CA Refinery.
    July/August 2006 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The Shell Martinez Refinery has been in operation since 1915, and is located 30 miles northeast of San Francisco on about 1,000 acres of land. The refinery combines state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to convert approximately 165,000 barrels of crude oil a day into many products including automotive gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, petroleum coke, industrial fuel oils, liquefied petroleum gas, asphalt, sulfur, and lubricants. The Shell Martinez Refinery has grown into a sprawling yet efficient assemblage of sophisticated processing equipment; modern control rooms; environmental protection facilities; shipping and receiving terminals for marine, rail, and truck cargoes; maintenance shops; office buildings; quality assurance laboratories; storage tanks; and warehouses. In some ways it resembles a small city with its own utilities, medical facilities, and fire department.

  • Revisions to California Code of Regulations
    May/June 2006 Inspectioneering Journal

    Revisions to the California Code of Regulations Title 8 Petroleum Safety Orders are nearly complete and the new regulations should be published late summer 2006. The regulations will affect both drilling and production facilities and refining, transportation, and handling facilities.

  • The Inspectioneering Journal Marks 10 Year Anniversary
    March/April 2005 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    We are happy to announce the 10-year anniversary of the inaugural issue of the Inspectioneering Journal!

  • Are you targeting your damage?
    Partner Content

    Properly anticipating and finding the damage in your facility is no small task, and spending millions of dollars on inspection may not be getting you anywhere if it’s not the right inspection processes. PinnacleART can use industry best practice models and corrosion expertise to proactively identify damage types, locations and magnitudes so you can ensure you’re performing the right inspections at the right times. Visit us at pinnacleart.com to learn more.

  • New API Inspector Certification Endorsement Program (ICEP)
    November/December 2004 Inspectioneering Journal

    Several new API inspection recommended practices exist in which inspectors need to be knowledgeable and qualified. This article details some of those standards.

  • Considering Buying Linked Inspection Database Management and RBI Programs?
    March/April 2004 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    Data management is an important issue in today's world. We have data all over the place. Every manager is looking for ways to migrate data from platform to platform to save on the cost of re-gathering data and ways to share output from various platforms to better schedule and coordinate activities.

  • More Than Low Hanging Fruit - Reaping a Greater Harvest - RBI and Step Change
    July/August 2003 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    "Low Hanging Fruit" and "Step Change" are analogies that have been bantered around in our industries for some time. Picking the low hanging fruit is just the beginning and something that most passersby can glean. Also, real change that affects an entire organization, change that lasts, does not happen overnight and usually involves a combination of education, mentoring and recognition, appreciation and understanding of the limitations, resources, potential and culture of/at the various levels of the organization. Low hanging fruit is the easiest to see and pick, but what about the vast amount of fruit that resides amongst the leaves and branches? That is now the challenge of our industries. This is where the greatest harvest lays. Why have change and greater rewards been so difficult to realize? I believe there are many reasons, such as a lack of mentoring, a lack of appreciation and understanding of the limitations, resources, potential and culture of the various levels of the organization.

  • Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Impact of Inspection
    May/June 2003 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    There are many aspects to successful, effective and efficient implementation of RBI 1, such as; - Data collection - Operations data - Mechanical data - The role of inspection histories and inspection planning - How much data do I really need to perform a study - Data sensitivity - Use of assumptions - Training - Procedures - Documentation - The RBI team - RBI technology basis - RBI codes and standards This article will focus on, "the role of inspection histories and inspection planning".

  • Risk Based Inspection Implementation
    March/April 2003 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal, and Mahdi Al-Marzouqi at ADGAS

    The large LNG facility is located on DAS Island, offshore of Abu Dhabi, in the Persian Gulf and experiences extremely high humidity year round. These conditions are known to produce a high potential for external corrosion and under insulation corrosion of carbon steel and mild steel alloys. If chlorides are present, which can drift from seawater, and are sometimes present in insulation, there may be a potential for Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking (Cl SCC) of austenitic stainless steels (SS).

  • Improving the turnaround lifecycle through careful planning, proper execution, and thorough documentation
    Partner Content

    Turnarounds are costly in terms of lost production. In many respects a turnaround can be even more complicated than the initial construction of the facility, so a carefully designed plan will reduce overall costs. After execution, safety reviews, Corrosion Monitoring Program updates, MOC documentation, and PHA Revalidations are a must.

  • Canadian Province Issues Minimum Requirements for RBI
    November/December 2002 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) issued the requirements document, Risk Based Inspection Programs for Pressure Equipment, in March 2001. This document defines the minimum requirements for the development and use of risk based inspection (RBI) to manage the safety of pressure equipment operating in Alberta.

  • API RP 580 Risk-Based Inspection Is Now Available
    September/October 2002 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    In May 2002, after 6 years of preparation, the API published the first edition of API 580 Risk-based Inspection. The document is now an ANSI/API Standard, which was balloted and approved using the ANSI consensus process for creating American National Standards. As such it becomes a "recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice", for use by all companies in the oil and chemical industry.

  • "RBI 2002" Deriving Maximum Value from the Process - An Owner User Perspective
    July/August 2002 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Mike Badeen at Phillips 66 Co., Mark Geisenhoff at Flint Hills Resources, and Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital

    Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) is an emerging technology available to plant engineers and managers as theyapply risk directed activities to prioritize work and available resources for equipment management. This paper describes the learning of highly experienced RBI users, sharing results of implementation in their plants. The advantages of making and documenting reasonable assumptions will be explored.

  • Aboveground Storage Tanks and the Responsible Use and Application of RBI
    July/August 2002 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Mark Geisenhoff at Flint Hills Resources

    Risk Based Inspection (RBI) analysis is a powerful tool that all of us can use to help with the complex issues of risk. The opportunities for application are exciting and open the door for new ways of conducting business and focusing resources. Along with these new and exciting opportunities comes the responsibility for all of us to apply RBI in a responsible manner.

  • "RBI 2002" Deriving Maximum Value from the Process
    May/June 2002 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Mike Badeen at Phillips 66 Co., Mark Geisenhoff at Flint Hills Resources, and Lynne Kaley at Trinity Bridge LLC / Trinity Bridge Digital

    Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) is an emerging technology available to plant engineers and managers as they apply risk directed activities to prioritize work and available resources for equipment management. This paper describes the learning of highly experienced RBI users, sharing results of implementation in their plants. The advantages of making and documenting reasonable assumptions will be explored. Additional benefits of the program will be shared, such as streamlined process reliability studies where RBI information can significantly impact time required for completion. Results of using the API RBI methodology for storage tank analyses will also be presented. The presenters have a combined refinery experience of over 40 years and RBI experience of over 10 years with responsibility for over 20,000 pressure vessels and overall responsibility for equipment integrity in two large refineries.

  • Global, simultaneous inspection with Acoustic Emission Testing
    Partner Content

    AET is a powerful, non-intrusive inspection technique to verify the structural integrity of pressure vessels, spheres, high-temperature reactors and piping, coke drums, above-ground storage tanks, cryogenic storage tanks, and more.

  • API Risk Based Inspection RP Release Imminent!
    March/April 2002 Inspectioneering Journal

    The American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice for Risk Based Inspection, RP 580, is expected to be available for purchase in early May 2002.

  • The Growing Importance of Understanding NDE Applications and Results
    November/December 2001 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    A typical risk based inspection (RBI) analysis should include past inspection results, tempered by confidence in those results. For example, API's (American Petroleum Institute) RBI methodology and software when calculating the likelihood of failure side of the risk equation asks for past inspection histories. This includes dates of past inspections for potential damage mechanisms, the effectiveness of those inspection techniques to find the anticipated damage and amounts of coverage. Via this logic, the program constructs a factor to represent the probable damage population scatter band and multiplies this times the entered corrosion rates, cracking susceptibilities or bulk damage rates.

  • Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Applied to Power Boilers-
    May/June 2001 Inspectioneering Journal

    This is a summary about RBI application to plant utility boilers in a liquefied natural gas plant with a design life of 20 years, now 27 years old.

  • Interaction of RBI and FFS Technologies
    March/April 2001 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Gerrit M. Buchheim, P.E. at Becht Engineering Co., Inc.

    With the publication of API RP 579 For Fitness-For-Service and the planned publication of API RP 580 for Risk Based Inspection in 2001, these technologies will find increasing application in maintenance and inspection planning.

  • RBI Simpler is Better
    September/October 2000 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    In part 1 of this series the importance of keeping the RBI process as simple as possible was stressed. Software, consequence and likelihood issues were covered. Consequences were handled directly while likelihood issues were covered in discussion on damage modules and qualitative versus quantitative sections.

  • RBI Simpler is Better
    July/August 2000 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    Hundreds of risk based inspection analyses have been completed by contractors and owner users worldwide, by now. Much is being learned as the various approaches gain acceptance. This editorial is only one perspective built upon the experiences of many.

  • RBI for Atmospheric Storage Tanks
    March/April 2000 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    Two API projects are co-sponsoring an effort to develop a risk based inspection (RBI) method for atmospheric storage tanks (AST). One of the projects is the long standing RBI project that is developing RBI methods for all types of pressure equipment; and the other is the more recently formed group that is focused on developing risk assessment methods for oil and gasoline terminals and other storage tank facilities. This article covers the preliminary model that has been proposed for both projects by the joint contractor for both projects, DNV. As such, this model is a draft and still undergoing review and revision by the two API project groups.

  • The Application of Risk Based Inspection (RBI) and Evolution to Risk-Centered Maintenance
    January/February 2000 Inspectioneering Journal
    By 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 into the details of rotating equipment RBI analysis, highlighting additional differences between this and fixed equipment analysis and cover: - RBI for Rotating Mechanical Equipment: Likelihood - Qualitative Risk Assignment - Forming the Risk Reduction Plan - Moving from RBI to Risk-CM

  • The Application of Risk Based Inspection (RBI) and Evolution to Risk-Centered Maintenance
    November/December 1999 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Gene R. Meyer at The Dow Chemical Company

    Risk based inspection, RBI, is a method currently changing how corporations view their maintenance programs. Application of a systematic analysis process that focuses on the likelihood of a given failure and the consequence of this failure happening provides a different philosophy in maintenance resource allocation. Maintenance planning will now focus on what has the greatest impact rather than what we think is the most important. This will allow formulation of a plan to have some equipment "run to failure" and other equipment to have a "no tolerance" maintenance plan.

  • Risk Based Inspection (RBI)
    November/December 1999 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    Here are some of my observations based on numerous discussions with owner users and involvement in over 30 projects. This learning is from plant operators who have taken the RBI "plunge", after they have had time to think about their decisions and direction, using various software products. Some owner user answers are included and will be identified as such. In addition to the questions in part 1, I included a listing of some generic families of RBI tools or approaches.

  • Risk Based Inspection (RBI) - The Current State
    September/October 1999 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    There are many analysis tools available in the market that lay hold of the "RBI" claim. I wanted to bring you, the reader, "up to speed" on some of the available technology based on my experience as an RBI project manager, client manager and member of the American Petroleum Institute committee and working group compiling the RBI Recommended Practice 580.

  • Food for Thought - Risk Based Inspection (RBI)
    September/October 1998 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    I have observed through literally hundreds of discussions and reading numerous articles on risk-based approaches that at least one potential business pitfall is appearing when owner-operators choose to begin with a "Level 1" (very qualitative) approach. They may not have the confidence to take advantage of re-allocating resources from the "low" risk equipment to the "higher" risk equipment.

  • Risk Based Inspection and Regulatory Compliance - They Can Co-Exist
    September/October 1998 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal, and Paul Barringer at Barringer & Associates

    Inspection to determine mechanical integrity is important to verify that equipment is suitable for intended use, i.e. to prevent or minimize the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals as required by OSHA 1910.119 - Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (and other jurisdictional codes).

  • Incorporation of Risk-Based Inspection into API Standards 510, 570 and 653
    May/June 1998 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Roland A. Goodman at American Petroleum Institute

    The API Subcommittees on Inspection and Pressure Vessels & Tanks are ever vigilant in keeping up with current trends and state-of-the-art technology for in-service inspection of pressure vessels, process piping, and aboveground storage tanks. One result of this effort is the recognition of risk-based inspection (RBI) methods by the API inspection codes (API 510, 570, and 653) as a valid methodology for developing an inspection strategy.

  • Risk Based Inspection - Understandings and Expectations
    January/February 1998 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    There is a potential for misconceptions about terms used regarding risk by non-risk management professionals. Understand that some risk is unavoidable. We can attempt to minimize risk to any extent desired, but without an effective process that addresses all the parameters we consider important it is more likely our level of effectiveness will suffer. There is more to these considerations than the likelihood of failure, which most inspection, materials and corrosion specialists understand.

  • Risk Based Inspection (RBI) - What's Best for You?
    September/October 1997 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    The amount of serious questions regarding the various technology options for implementing an effective RBI program is growing by leaps and bounds. I, for one, have seen many forms of what various organizations refer to as RBI. Remember that there are to the Risk equation, i.e. likelihood or probability of failure and consequence of failure. The effectiveness of the RBI tool is highly dependent upon algorithm design, especially parametric considerations and their relative effect on one another and your objectives.

  • RBI Standards Development
    March/April 1997 Inspectioneering Journal

    The API Commitment on Refinery Equipment (CRE) has chartered a task group to develop an API recommended practice (RP 580), which will detail all the vital aspects of Risk-Based Inspection. This standard will not detail or propose any one specific RBI procedure, but will detail all the important aspects, issues and concerns that a valid RBI procedure could and/or should consider.

  • Reliability Centered/Focused Maintenance (RCM) and Risk Based Inspection (RBI) - What
    March/April 1997 Inspectioneering Journal
    By Greg Alvarado at Inspectioneering Journal

    "The times they are a changing." Our business paradigm is going through tremendous changes, as most of our readers can attest to. Look at the mega-mergers looming and happening in the petroleum business along with the tight margins most of them operate on.

  • Update on API Risk-Based Inspection Project
    November/December 1996 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    Three levels of risk based inspection have been developed by the API sponsor group. Level 1: Qualitative RBI which utilizes a step-by-step workbook to rank entire process units or process systems into a 5 x 5 risk matrix...

  • Update on API Risk-Based Inspection Project
    September/October 1996 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    In the January 1995 issue, I introduced the concept of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) being developed by an API (American Petroleum Institute) project. This article is an update and status report on that project, which now has 20 sponsor companies, and more joining each quarter.

  • Likelihood of Failure + Consequence = Risk
    March/April 1995 Inspectioneering Journal
    By John Reynolds at Intertek

    Many promising advances are being made in inspection technologies, today. Some are going to provide opportunities for companies to maintain and increase equipment mechanical integrity, quite possibly at lower costs.

    Companies
    PK Technology
    PK Technology

    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.

    Quest Integrity
    Quest Integrity

    Quest Integrity Group is a global leader in the development and delivery of asset integrity management and asset reliability solutions for our clients in the refining and chemical, pipeline, syngas and power industries. Our services include furnace tube inspection for the refining and chemical industries, in-line inspection for the pipeline industry, steam reformer tube inspection for the syngas industry, as well as fitness-for-service assessment, remaining life assessment, structural integrity, failure analysis and materials consulting for various industries including the power industry. We specialize in condition assessment for fired heater coils, unpiggable pipelines, steam reformer tubes, storage tanks, gas turbines and other assets.

    PinnacleART
    PinnacleART

    Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies (PinnacleART) is a leader in building, implementing and maintaining comprehensive reliability programs for facilities in the oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, wastewater and electric power industries, to name a few. Our team consists of talented experts and engineers, who offer the highest degree of service and uncompromised reliability for every one of our projects. PinnacleART’s specialists are dedicated to delivering optimal outcomes for our clients, which results in reducing risk, ensuring compliance, optimizing costs and improving safety.

    Sentinel Integrity Solutions
    Sentinel Integrity Solutions

    Sentinel Integrity Solutions is a full service inspection company, providing a full suite of inspection support to service the Petroleum (upstream, midstream and downstream operations), Chemical, Power and Pipeline Industries. We are respected by our clients for the unsurpassed reliability, dedication and professionalism exhibited by our personnel and the customer service and responsiveness exhibited by our Management Team.

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          • API 580 Risk Based Inspection (RBI) Training
            August 13 - 14 2019
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