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 […]

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) […]

Exposure Estimations

Resources to help identify and estimate the frequencies and aggressiveness of everything that might be ‘attacking’ the pipeline. US natural hazards database Waters  SCC (pdf file) Mechanical damage report (pdf file) NTSB pipeline recommendations PHMSA advisory bulletins Corrosion (pdf file) US Soils database Fatigue estimation software  Publications Template enabled Excel spreadsheet

General

References and articles to assist in pipeline risk management: PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) Technical reports gas pipelines Technical reports liquid pipelines PHMSA advisory bulletins IMP resources:  gas, liquid, distribution Mayberry slides on RA Data Quality UK pipeline regulation, guidance, data Kiefner and Associates References

from the desk of WKM

Articles 2014, 2013, 2012 Essential Elements The essential elements of risk assessment (pdf file) Developments Towards a Unified Pipeline Risk Assessment Approach – Essential Elements (pdf file) Reprint from Pipeline and Gas Journal  (pdf file) Working Pipeline Risk Assessment Template Model Spreadsheet-based, fully functional risk assessment template (available soon) Books Pipeline Risk Assessment: The Definitive Approach […]