 Risk Based Inspection

Plant reliability and profitability are important performance indicators for oil refineries. The amount of inspection and maintenance resources that is devoted to process equipment effects the overall plant performance. Dedicating the same level of resources to inspecting and maintaining each piece of equipment is not cost effective and can lead to oversight of high risk equipment. Although in an operating plant, the number of high risk items usually exists in lower percentages than low risk items, an oversight in the inspection and maintenance of high risk equipment may produce catastrophic results. Risk based inspection (RBI) provides a methodology for prudent assignment of resources to assess and maintain equipment integrity based on their risk levels. Risk based inspection (RBI) provides a methodology for prudent assignment of resources to assess and maintain equipment integrity based on their risk levels. (Jenny Simpson)