Articles

By now, the benefits of cloud computing for asset integrity management (AIM) are well known. The ability to store all asset data securely in the cloud – thereby outsourcing the complex and expensive IT support and maintenance involved in hosting it in-house – can be leveraged for tangible and immediate cost savings. However, when it comes to selecting the right software for cloud-based inspection data management, things are not quite as cut and dry.

Managing pipeline corrosion can be a time-consuming guessing game – wasting money and resources looking for corrosion where it isn’t and missing corrosion where it is. A lot of it comes down to not knowing what you don’t know. For example: at any given time, how aware are you of what contaminants are in the process stream? When the stream composition changes? Are you always aware and instantly alerted when key corrosion factors in your asset change?

The key to reducing maintenance costs and unplanned downtime for plants, pipelines and facilities lies in maximizing the asset inspection process. A recent study into plant maintenance found that the three leading causes of unplanned shutdowns include aging equipment (44%), operator error (16%) and a lack of time (15%).^[1] All of these can be mitigated with focused changes to your inspection process.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has transformed the landscape of Asset Integrity Management for the Oil and Gas industry. By empowering owner-operators with the ability to interconnect a vast array of physical assets on one digital platform, IIoT facilitates improved productivity, profitability, inspection scheduling, and corrosion mitigation – all while significantly reducing the likelihood of asset failure.

An API Recommended Practice (API RP 584), Integrity Operating Windows (IOW) are an essential component of any asset integrity management (AIM) system. IOWs improve predictive accuracy. They facilitate the collection, retention, and analysis of variable data – providing early warnings when a pre-defined process variable’s boundaries are exceeded. This helps to predict and prevent corrosion, increase productivity by allowing for predictive maintenance, and reduce the likelihood of asset failure.

The key to success for any asset integrity management (AIM) program lies in the development of its workflow process. For owner operators of plants, pipelines, and facilities, efficient and seamless inspection data management is key. The more effective the workflow and its application, the more reliable the equipment – reducing the chances of costly shutdowns or unnecessary repairs.

Technology in the asset integrity management (AIM) sector is now more advanced than ever. Risk-based inspection planning, seamless connectivity between software platforms, real-time monitoring and alerts of asset performance conditions, and the ability to synchronize inspection work from the field form a small sampling of the technology available to operators of plants, pipelines and facilities today.

For owner operators of asset intensive corporations, a primary challenge is often that of budget allocation. Specifically: How can I garner the most profitability from my assets within the confines of the budget resources available to me?

“The Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation has identified material, weld and construction quality as a major source of leaks during commissioning hydrostatic pressure tests, the first years of operations and later in the life of a pipeline. PHMSA’s findings indicate a need for better quality assurance in the pipeline construction industry.”^[1] The best strategy for pipeline owner operators to protect themselves against these quality risks is to implement a thorough quality management system (QMS), as laid out in API Recommended Practice 1177.

In our first article of this series, we examined the differences between the terms Asset Performance Management (APM) and Asset Integrity Management (AIM). That article took a quick look at the differences between the two terms at a high level. Today, we are taking a deeper look into the components of the two terms and how they complement each other for ultimate profitability, both for owner operators and for shareholders.