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. […]
Results for Essential Elements
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
Updating guidance documents for pipeline threat identification and risk assessment
Unfortunately, the US guidance documents for pipeline risk assessment are still not up to date. This continues to be a source of confusion for some and frustration for others. Please click this link to read the pdf file of this article.
Damage vs failure: a risk assessment needs to know the difference
To measure resistance in a way most useful to a risk assessment, we must estimate the possible presence of weaknesses, the rate of emergence of future weaknesses, and the role of each weakness in strength reduction. By W. Kent Muhlbauer, WKM Consulting, Austin, TX, USA Since several of our recent columns have dealt with management-of-risk […]
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 […]
Pipeline Risk Assessment: Threat Interaction—A Case of Confusing Terminology
As we continue this exploration of pipeline risk assessment, let’s tackle some terminology obstacles. Pipeline risk assessment is a challenging topic on its own, so added confusion from terminology is most unwelcome. Background In some recent regulatory initiatives, a criticism has arisen regarding some pipeline operators’ failure to properly account for ‘threat interaction’ in their […]
PL Risk Management—The Essential Elements of Risk Assessment
As the desire for more robust pipeline risk management grows, so too does the need for superior risk assessment. A formal risk assessment provides the structure to increase understanding, reduce subjectivity, and ensure that important considerations are not overlooked. Associated decision-making is therefore more consistent and reliable when formal techniques are used. But has pipeline […]
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, […]