Our newly released Guidance Notes on Risk Based Inspection for Classification and Hull Integrity Management, provide a unique, flexible approach to help operators mitigate risk and unplanned downtime.
This guidance note provides operators of floating units, such as FPSO and FLNG units, with information on how to develop a risk based inspection plan which can replace the traditional prescriptive approach to inspection planning and will minimise downtime, reduce risk and mitigate unplanned dry-docking due to non-conformance with Class Rules.
The guidance note, created in consultation with industry partners who form Vysus Group’s Offshore Technical Committee, "allow operators to prioritise and plan inspections based on risk, rather than by using traditional time-based inspection plans”, says Tim Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, Assurance.
Risk Based Inspection helps prioritise inspection plans
Compared to a time-based approach, risk based inspection (RBI) allows operators to prioritise and optimise inspection and maintenance regimes by estimating the likelihood of failures and consequences, identifying high risk components and allocating resource accordingly.
"We have a wealth of experience in the implementation and management of risk based inspection for static equipment across the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry, as well as the petrochemical and chemical industries, helping operators reduce inspection points by 50% to 90% and reducing risk of failures by 80% to 90%." adds Walsh.
This guidance note is designed to guide the industry in how to implement risk based inspection schemes on units Classed by Vysus Group. It is intended to be used alongside our Rules for Offshore Units as part of Classification, but can also be used when an asset is not classed by ourselves.
The new guidance note focuses on RBI of hull structures, however the scope of the service offered also extends to topside static equipment for fixed and floating installations and facilities, both on and offshore.