Ever consider that true risk management sometimes occurs only at the lower levels of some pipeline organizations? That is, personnel performing field activities are in effect setting risk levels for the company. Their choices of day-to-day activities are essentially driving risk management and thereby establishing corporate risk levels. This is not just theoretical—real choices are […]
Topic: Resources
Measuring Failure Potential—What is Attacking?
How Effective are Defenses? Can it Survive? In several previous columns, we have noted the need for a very specific approach to measuring failure probability (PoF). Three factors must be independently measured/estimated in order to fully understand PoF. Let’s explore those factors a bit deeper here. Regardless of the definition of ‘failure’ being used, failure […]
Myth Busting—I don’t have enough data (Part 2)
In the first part of this discussion, we hopefully dispelled some myths about low data availability. We discussed how reasoning is used to generate data and how many useful pieces of risk insight emerge from even simple pieces of knowledge. We also contrasted a statistical approach to risk assessment with a physics based approach. The […]
Pipeline Risk Assessment—A Measurement Tool
Last time, we introduced the concept of essential elements for pipeline risk assessment. These are the “let’s all get on the same page” aspects that every risk assessment should have in common. An important Essential Element calls for the use of measurements instead of any other kind of rating scheme (eg, indexes, points, scores, descriptors, […]
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 […]
Risk Management Resources
Articles <!– Where is the Risk Control Strategy? –> Is formal risk assessment helping me? Pipeline risk assessment as a tool for resolving conflict Pipeline risk assessment: risk profiling Full understanding of pipeline risk generates numerous opportunities to reduce that risk. So previous chapters have already identified risk mitigation opportunities. Reducing exposure, increasing mitigation or […]
Calibration of Risk Estimates
Resources to help validate, verify, and calibrate risk assessment results: Book chapter 3.7 phmsa pipeline failure investigation reports USA pipeline incident stats European pipeline accident stats Canadian Australian UK pipeline regulation, guidance, data
Consequence of Failure Estimations
Resources to assist in understanding and assessing potential hazard zones and associated damages from pipeline failures: PHMSA leak study (pdf file) PHMSA valve study PIR natural gas (pdf file) PIR other products Potential Impact Radius Final Report June 2005 (pdf file) Study of pipelines that ruptured at stress below 30pct SMYS PPIM 2013 (pdf file) […]
Resistance Estimations
Resources to help identify how much resistance each pipeline component has to each force that threatens its integrity: possible weaknesses (pdf file) vintage pipe possible weaknesses (pdf file) dent study (pdf file) wrinkle study (pdf file) pressure testing Spike Hydrostatic Test Evaluation Final Report July2004 (pdf file) Kiefner Publications ILI
Mitigation Estimates
Resources to help identify and estimate the effectiveness of each mitigation measure that blocks or reduces the amounts of exposure to reach the pipeline. Public Awareness Programs Call 811 before you dig Pipeline Corrosion FINAL REPORT (pdf file)