Abstract
Implementation of Risk-Based Inspection, RBI in production facilities of Repsol Ecuador, is based on the API RP 580 (2009) Risk-Based Inspection, API RP 581 (2000) Risk-Based Inspection Base Resourse Document and API RP 581 (2008) Risk-Based Inspection Tecnology. This RBI methodology allows a first ranking risk level of equipment based on process conditions (qualitative risk analysis). This evaluation is complemented with a thickness analysis and remaining life estimation according to API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspection Code and the API 570 Piping Inspection Code for fixed equipment and piping respectively, and subsequent semicuantitative risk analysis.The thickness measurement and remaining life depends on damage mechanisms wich where identified in corrosion circuits in order to facilitate evaluation and monitoring.
Furthermore, the design criteria, operating conditions, frequencies, technical of inspection and maintenance at different levels of assessment, as well as the application of management policies in different areas such us management of change, risk management, process safety, etc. that are included in the management system factor. This directly affects the probability of equipment failure and allowed us to identify improvement opportunities to strengthen our fixed equipment integrity.
The RBI methodology implementation, has allowed Repsol Ecuador to optimize resources available for equipment maintenance because it prioritizes more critical equipment and allocated resources based on the risk level of each equipment and increase its operational availability to ensure its mechanical integrity since decreases the probability of failure avoiding possible injuries to people, damage of equipment and environment and to increase profitability due to a decrease on the probabilities of shut down of the facilities.
