Topic: What’s New?

Why do we need more robust results? Why not just use scores?

Even though they were developed to help simplify an analysis, scoring and indexing systems actually add an unnecessary level of complexity and obscurity to a risk assessment. Statistics-centric QRA’s suffer from lack of specificity to the assets being assessed. Numerical estimates of risk – a measure of some consequence over time and space, like ‘failures […]

What are the newest pipeline RA methodologies like?

They are powerful, intuitive, easy to set up, less costly, and vastly more informative than either of the previous approaches. By independent examination of key aspects of risk and the use of verifiable measurement units, the whole landscape of the risks becomes apparent. That leads to much improved decision making.

The PHMSA has recently criticised how Integrity Management Plan (IMP) risk assessments (RAs) for pipelines are being conducted. Do you also see problems?

There is a wide range of practice among pipeline operators right now. Some RA is admittedly in need of improvement, not yet meeting the intent of the IMP regulation. However, I believe that is not due to lack of good intention, but rather incomplete understanding of risk. Risk is a relatively new concept, and is […]

What’s wrong with my current scoring, indexing approach?

Some of the more significant compromises arising from the use of the simple scoring type assessments included: Without an anchor to absolute risk estimates, the assessment results were useful only in a rather small analysis space. The results offered little information regarding risk-related costs or appropriate responses to certain risk levels. Results expressed in relative […]

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, […]