Significant insights into risk are routinely missed when certain risk assessment methodologies are used. This article examines some fundamental differences between QRA techniques in terms of how they catch—and potentially miss—important evidence. PIN_October_2019_Risk Management
Topic: Modeling
Problems With Industry Guidance Docs
Since 2011, there have been attempts to update the ASME B31.8s document with regards to threats and risk assessment. The lack of updates to this important guidance document has resulted in continuing confusion for industry practitioners and wastes of resources on non-issues such as ‘threat interaction’ (which is almost entirely caused by the B31.8S language. […]
Analyses, Applications, Myths and Misconceptions, Risk Assessment, Risk Assessment Methodologies, Risk Management, What's New?
“Don’t Worry — We did an ILI”
Many newbies in our industry have never been without the ability to ILI a pipeline. ILI is now considered a normal and essential part of owning and operating many pipelines. However, we should take a moment to make sure we are not losing perspective. Let’s recall our origins. When ILI first became a practical tool, […]
Analyses, Applications, Facilities / tanks / pumps / compressors / appurtenances / etc, Risk Assessment, Risk Management
Life Cycle Risk–An HDD Example
Life cycle risk assessment is an interesting topic in and beyond the integrity management field. This article features a discussion of this special type of risk assessment applied to a certain pipeline installation method, in this case, HDD installation. In previous articles, we’ve discussed some non-regulatory integrity management program applications of pipeline risk assessment (including […]
Avoiding Missteps: Risk vs Rate of Risk
Forming a strategy to mitigate pipeline risks can be complicated by how the length of an asset impacts the numbers. Data and statistics must be carefully considered and interpreted in light of the ‘length’ factor. This article discusses a subtle but critical aspect of understanding risk on a long, linear asset like a pipeline. Risk […]
Seduced by graphics: the myth of risk management by images
While there are a number of visual techniques that can help in interpreting large amounts of data, many graphical analyses provide little to no value for in-depth risk assessment. Here we explore some common graphical techniques and discusses why they can’t replace data analyses in risk management. Seduced by Graphics: The Myth of Risk Management […]
Interview
The Outlook for Pipeline Risk Assessment A 2014* Interview with W. Kent Muhlbauer *but still relevant! PHMSA has recently expressed criticism regarding how Integrity Management Plan (IMP) risk assessment (RA) for pipelines is being conducted. Do you also see problems? There is a wide range of practice among pipeline operators right now. Some RA is […]
Pipeline Hazardous Liquid Spills Analyses
Liq Spills Analyses Here’s some more interesting work from Joel Anderson: an examination of recent hazardous liquid spill volumes, from the PHMSA reporting databases. Analyses like these not only help us with basic understanding of pipeline releases, but also provide useful input into risk assessments. In many cases, our estimates of location-specific loss potential are […]
Pipeline Geohazard Risks
Here’s a advance draft of an article to be included in an upcoming ASME textbook. Geohaz Essay ASME wkm Rev C
The Essential Elements of Pipeline Risk Assessment
Here’s an update to the original 2012 article introducing the essential elements of pipeline risk assessment. Little has changed–the originally introduced elements seem to be robust and comprehensive, as suggested by having weathered a few years of scrutiny now. PIN_March_2018_Kent_Muhlbauer