In 2009 Repsol Ecuador developed several root cause analysis in order to define the strategy for threats control as corrosion or third party damage. In conclusion it was defined the need to develop a pipeline integrity management plan based on international standards which ensure threats control and reduces leaks rate.

In 2010, a pipeline integrity management system based on the standard API 1160 "Managing System Integrity for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines" has implemented in order to ensure reliability and availability of the pipelines.

It starts with an external audit in compliance with criteria of standards API 1160 and ASME B31.8S as well as the requirements of CFR 195. The audit showed that Repsol Ecuador was meeting 37% of these requirements and provided an opportunity to identify where to should improve.

The plan developed by Repsol Ecuador for pipeline integrity management consists of the following parts:

  1. Determination of High Consequence Areas "HCA" in case of leakage or total failure

  2. Structured methodology for risk analysis

  3. Determination of baseline of mechanical integrity

  4. Development of Risk Mitigation and Control plans

  5. Re-evaluation of risk

  6. Audit Plan and KPI

As a result of the implementation of pipeline integrity management plan it can be mentioned the following:

To identify high consequence areas it was necessary to develop a new definition based on the API 1160 criteria but modifying them to accomplish the Ecuadorian reality and precisely the zones of influence of Blocks 16 and 67. It was determined that all Repsol Ecuador operation is been developed into a HCA.

A methodology for risk analysis based on the criteria of Pipeline Risk Management Manual by Kent Mulbahuer and following the criteria of the Repsol's corporate standard for risk analysis. The result of this analysis was the clear evidence that the greatest threats to the pipelines are internal & external corrosion and third party damage.

Based on the risk analysis, the baseline was determined by In Line Inspection and methodologies as ECDA. From the results mitigation plans were executed.

Currently and by using a software tool called Pipeline Integrity Data Tool, Repsol Ecuador integrates all information from daily operations, maintenance, inspection, etc., and defines the distribution of resources to prevent spills. As main results, the leakage rate has decreased from 23 leaks/ 500Km – year in 2009 to 4 leaks/ 500Km-year in 2014 in piggable pipelines.

Keywords:
risk and uncertainty assessment, risk assessment, risk management, measurement and control, wellbore integrity, Wellbore Design, inspection, Repsol Ecuador, Implementation, pipeline integrity management
Subjects:
Wellbore Design, Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers, Measurement and Control, Facilities Operations, Risk Management and Decision-Making, Wellbore integrity, Pipeline leak detection, Pipeline pigging, Risk, uncertainty, and risk assessment
Copyright 2015, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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