To reflect the changing needs of the industry, DNV GL has worked together with its industry partners to update two recommended practices (RP). The first for corroded pipelines (DNV-RP F101) and the second for integrity management of submarine pipeline systems (DNV-RP-F116), the DNV GL said in a press release.
The updates have been developed through the completion of joint industry projects (JIPs). The revisions aim to further support the decision-making processes related to maintaining the integrity of pipeline systems in the following areas:
- extension of in-service operation
- costly repairs and replacements
- long-term planning of activities based on balanced evaluations of both technical and non-technical issues; and
- continuous improvement of integrity management systems.
First issued in 1999, the latest update to DNV-RP F101 includes a new assessment methodology on how to estimate the pressure resistance of a pipeline containing long axial grooving (the methodology is also applicable for pipelines with other patterns of internal corrosion), and assessment of internal corrosion development with time.
Updates have also been made to achieve better compliance with the newest edition of the offshore standard DNV-OS-F101 rev. 2013-10, e.g. with regard to pressure definitions and terminology, characteristic material properties, partial safety factors and fractile values, and supplementary material requirements.
Integrity management is climbing further up the agenda as the industry looks to get the most from life extension of ageing pipelines. Corrosion in particular poses a major threat to these pipelines. Revisions to DNV-RP F101 aim to improve corrosion defect assessments, through thorough probabilistic evaluation, corrosion development evaluations and pressure resistance calculations accounting for system effects.
The February 2015 revision of DNV-RP-F116 provides more comprehensive guidelines on carrying out risk assessments. Guidelines regarding integrity management reviews as well as recommendations for identifying key performance indicators have also been revised and updated. These can be used to further develop risk assessment methods for company governing documentation.
“The listed indicators in the RP are based on a combined integrity management and barrier philosophy mind-set where barriers to risk can be seen as preventative and reactive. The updated RP provides guidelines on how to further embrace technical, human and organisational elements working together. This will provide a valuable framework to deliver risk evaluations for planning integrity management activities,” continues Felix Saint-Victor.
Over the next 12 months, DNV GL will be hosting a number of seminars in Norway to present the revisions to the RPs.
DNV is a global provider of risk management services with the purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment. After a merger of two leading classification societies DNV and GL on September 12 2013, DNV GL has become the world’s largest ship and offshore classification society, the leading technical advisor to the global oil and gas industry, and a leading expert for the energy value chain including renewables and energy efficiency. We’ve also taken a position as one of the top three certification bodies in the world. DNV GL provides classification and technical assurance services along with software and independent expert advisory services to the maritime, oil & gas and energy industries. The Company also provides certification services to customers across a wide range of industries. DNV GL operates in more than 100 countries and has 16,000 employees.