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Asset Integrity Management: Who Needs It?
May 2nd 2008

EM&I Appear In Energy Focus

It is easy to see the impact of poor integrity management. Senior executives are very much aware of the effect on HS&E that result from major safety and environmental incidents and consequential damage to corporate reputation and value. Past efforts at improving occupational HS&E have reduced injuries and losses at a personal safety level measurably.

 

Industry is now turning it's attention to reducing major incident risk through a properly implemented asset integrity management (AIMS) system which improves process safety.

 

Oil majors have each developed powerful operational excellence and AIMS philosophies that, if well implemented, will reduce risk significantly. Our role, as integrity practitioners, is to implement and deliver asset integrity throughout the lifecycle of the asset and measure the benefits gained.

 

The need

Industry's historical perception of AIMS is not appropriate for today's current needs. Driven by the global hunger for energy, the industry is moving into ever more extreme environments, utilising new technology and extending the life of ageing plant.

 

Moreover, the effects of integrity failure and associated publicity surrounding catastrophic events have engaged shareholders, senior managers, regulators and the public in the debate over managing the integrity of its assets.

 

Managing the risk

The primary reason for improving the way we manage asset integrity is therefore risk assessment and risk reduction.

 

O-AIMS (Operational & Asset Integrity Management System) is a proven, lifecycle management system that delivers measurable rish reduction and cost benefits.

 

It's fundamental principle is... "To ensure that critical elements remain fit-for-purpose throughout the lifecycle of the asset and at an optimum cost".

 

O-AIMS is a simple, logical and holistic approach that brings innovative methodology to both new-build and existing assets.

 

O-AIMS defines and ranks the components that are safety/environment/production/business critical.

 

A performance standard is written for each critical component, along with requirements needed to assure and verify performance throughout the lifecycle of the asset.

 

These Performance Assurance and Verification (PAVS) focus effort on managing the parts of the asset that matter, leading to informed decisions, a reduced risk/cost profile and documented evidence of good asset management.

 

PAVS help asset integrity by optimising operability, maintainability, inspectability and constructability as a 'built-in' feature of the design.

 

Similarly, PAVS support risk-based inspection and reliability-centred maintenance techniques by maximising the effectiveness of maintenance and inspection on critical equipment during the operational life of the asset.

 

PAVS facilitate compliance with corporate and regulatory standards by demonstrating that critical items are identified and their performance is being managed in a documented manner.

 

Implementation

However, it is not enough to have a written system; senior executives must be confident that their management teams are implementing the system effectively. How can O-AIMS support this process for both existing assets and for new build assets?

 

In terms of existing assets, O-AIMS includes an authoritative review process that assesses and reports on the current condition of critical elements and compares the current asset integrity system with corporate and regulatory requirements as well as industry best practice. This generates a gap analysis and an initial workscope and budget.

 

O-AIMS also facilitates the necessary communication between operations, maintenance, production and engineering teams. The information that is exchanged at regular meetings ensures that the integrity effects resulting from operational changes to the asset are properly assessed and fed back to management.

 

This continually updates asset integrity status and trending, leading to improved operational excellence.

 

The level of expensive unplanned maintenance is a good indicator of asset integrity effectiveness. Case studies of O-AIMS projects can show measurable reductions in unplanned maintainance.

 

O-AIMS benefits new-build projects in a number of ways.....

 

O-AIMS includes a process for developing integrity management budgets and schedules at project sanction stage.

 

This process engages the project team as part of the integrity solution and creates an environment where lifecycle integrity benefits are built into the design, commissioning and operational lifecycle.

 

O-AIMS also includes logical baseline data collection strategies. Accurate baseline data is essential to ensure effective trending operational readiness, especially at the crucial start-up stages. A side benefit includes a secondary QC check. Typically 10% to 15% of piping was out of spec on a recent project, and significant savings and risk reduction were made by rectification in the fabrication yard rather than on site.

 

Integrity database selection and population at the construction and commissioning phase avoids delays in budget development, inspection planning and degradation management.

 

Using knowledge of plant condition to plan and implement life extensions brings both commercial and environmental benefits- it should be less expensive and introduce a smaller carbon footprint than building anew.

 

Services

EM&I is an international company with bases in key locations worldwide. EM&I O-AIMS system is acknowledged as the industry standard, and EM&I's services are designed for integration into the O-AIMS package. EM&I's methods are innovative and have been tried and tested with the benefits that only 'sharp end' experience can bring.

 

If you wish to avoid catastrophic events, reduce risk, and enhance reliability and availability; then O-AIMS is the answer.

 

So .....who needs asset integrity?

 

First Published in Energy Focus, Autumn Issue 9 launched at Offshore Europe 2007

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