BP, ABB in UK risk-based inspections

London -  BP has employed ABB Engineering Services to lead and manage risk -based inspection (RBI) reviews of equipment and pipework, as part of an inspection and corrosion management contract at its UK oil and gas terminals. The RBI reviews are designed to optimise the inspection regime, focusing inspection on areas of predicted deterioration.

The reviews were led by an ABB RBI team leader supported by BP and ABB personnel with a collective knowledge of operations, process, mechanical, inspections, NDT, corrosion and materials. Using the ABB RBI+ database and the BP RBI procedure, the team reviewed the operational and inspection history of each item of equipment to determine the potential risks of failure and the appropriate inspection intervals. Individual Written Schemes of Examination (WSE) were then developed based on the outcome of the RBI review.

At BP’s Dimlington gas terminal on the east Yorkshire coast the joint RBI team reviewed 60 items of equipment ahead of the major 2008 turnaround. By reviewing each item of equipment in detail the team established deterioration mechanisms and focus inspection and non-invasive NDT in key areas. In most cases man entry into equipment was avoided and the inspection interval increased from eight years to 12 years, ABB has reported.

When undertaking inspection of equipment, the preparation costs to facilitate the inspection - scaffolding, craneage, cleaning equipment, fitting resource, stand-by men, etc - are significantly higher than the actual inspection and any associated NDT costs. As the RBI reviews at Dimlington demonstrated that it was no longer necessary for inspectors to enter equipment, it has been estimated that this has saved BP at least £500,000 on its 2008 turnaround, said ABB.