RBI for fixed, mobile, and floating offshore platforms

Abstract

Risk-Based Inspection is an established tool for assessment and life extension for fixed platform jackets, mobile jack-up platforms, and floaters such as tension leg platforms, spars, semisubmersibles, and ship-shaped hulls. The key concept is the detection and elimination of flaws which could progress to structural failure before the next inspection maintenance cycle. This paper will review decades of practical experience and recent developments for these various types of structures - and for various methods of inspection, both topside/interior and underwater. Optimal expenditure of resources requires trade-offs such as cost-risk and cost effectiveness. Performance demonstration initiatives (PDIs) are indispensable in establishing probabilities of detection (POD) and the confidence limits thereon. A proposed new API standard for underwater magnetic particle inspection (MPI) will also be presented. ©2009 MTS.