The Basic and Critical Elements of PoF Estimation

Probability of Failure Based on Basic Engineering Principles All plausible failure mechanisms must be included in the assessment of PoF.  Every failure mechanism must be properly measured by independently measuring the following three elements: Exposure (attack) – The unmitigated aggressiveness of the force or process that may precipitate failure.  This includes external forces, corrosion, cracking, […]

Risk Assessment is an investigative journey

Formal risk management has become an essential part of pipelining. As an engineered structure placed in a constantly changing natural environment, a pipeline can be a complex thing. Good risk assessment is an investigation into that complexity; providing an approachable, understandable, manageable incorporation of the physical processes potentially acting on a pipeline: external forces, corrosion, […]

Risk analyses tools versus risk assessment models

Recent publications on pipeline risk assessment methodologies highlight some confusion regarding tools and models.  There are many useful risk analyses tools that are not risk models — that is, they cannot be used to produce a full risk assessment. See section 3.1 in the text for a complete discussion, but in a nutshell, techniques such […]