The paper describes a quantitiative model for risk-based integrity maintenance planning for offshore pipelines. The model calculates the risk level as the product of failure consequences and failure probabilities. Failure consequences considered include financial aspects relating to repair, interruption and restoration; safety aspects related to platform and vessel occupants; and environmental aspects associated with spills. Distinction is made between small leaks, large leaks and ruptures, and the major failure causes (namely, corrosion and mechanical damage) are considered. The model quantifies the benefits associated with different maintenance alternatives by calculating their impact on the probability of failure and risk level. A formal decision analysis approach is then used to evaluate the costs and benefits associated with each alternative, and identify the best overall maintenance strategy.
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