Integrity Management System

This section attempts to outline some of the steps involved when establishing an Integrity Management System including Trend Analysis and RBI. This high-level process is generic and applicable to all static equipment classes, e.g. structures, (topside/underwater), process, pipelines, subsea equipment and control systems.

Establishing an Asset Integrity Management System

1. Define the Asset Integrity Management Policies.
2. Define the High-Level Integrity Management Process.
3. Define the Asset scope, register, hierarchy, level, and boundaries.
4. List all failure threats applicable to each asset.
5. Define risk definitions and matrices - CoF , PoF , Risk Ranking, Confidence, etc.
6. Define mitigation strategies.
7. Define Roles and Responsibilities.
8. Define Trend Analysis and RBI processes.
9. Document Integrity Management Strategy and RBI Guidelines.
10. Produce Performance Standards.
11. Produce Integrity Management Procedures.
12. Establish Integrity Management software, database.
13. Maintain an ongoing Integrity Management Process.

Define Integrity Management Policies

IThe starting point is to define the Asset Integrity Management Policies. These are high-level goals towards which the whole Asset Integrity Management (AIM) system is aimed.

  • Such AIM Policies may or may not already exist within a clients' management structure.
  • Below are typical examples of three IM Polices:

Asset Holders shall obtain positive confirmation of asset integrity status 'it is not acceptable to be in the dark about asset integrity status'

Actions to safeguard technical integrity are non-negotiable 'where a RED condition exists, immediate mitigating action is mandatory'

Assets shall be maintained 'fit-for-purpose' throughout their operational life 'integrity management is an ongoing process that lasts throughout the assets' life cycle'

Defining Asset Scope, Register, Hierarchy, Level and Boundaries

Asset Scope and Boundaries:

  • What are the static equipment (types and physical location) covered by the IM System and what are their exact boundaries?

Asset Register and Hierarchy:

  • List of all the equipment and components within the scope of the IM System.
  • The level of detail should include the lowest inspection granularity. Typically individual valves and anodes but not individual flanges and bolts. On piping, individual elbows and tees but not all fittings.

Asset Level:

  • Asset Level is an important concept which defines the level in the asset hierarchy at which RBI is carried out; failure threats are allocated; Consequence and Probability of Failure are defined.
  • Guidance for the establishment of Asset Level can often be found in existing documents such as Safety Cases.
  • Defining Asset Level too low leads to an unmanageable system: 'we don't do RBI for every nut and bolt'.
  • Defining Asset Level too high leads to the Integrity Management System loosing its effectiveness, for example, it would be ineffective to base RBI on Consequence of Failure defined for an entire offshore complex.

What clients said

AIMS philosophy and procedure documents from SBS helped to complete our integrity management (IM) system. The SBS operational function for IM consisted of facilitating and co-ordinating onshore and offshore inspection campaigns which included development of scopes of work, procedures, work packs and scientific assessment of data from contractor reports to determine remedial and future inspection event recommendations.– William J Armstrong
Senior Vice President Technical
Mubadala Petroleum (Thailand) Ltd
Mubadala Petroleum