A new set of best practices created specifically for the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries was recently released byCorrosionRADAR (Cambridge, England).
The mission, according to the company, is to provide guidance on the deployment, usage, inspection strategies, and maintenance of corrosion under insulation (CUI) monitoring systems. This recommended practice (RP) is referred to as CUI RP 101 Issue 1.
The document includes contributions from experienced users throughout the industry, including representatives from Aramco, Dow, INEOS, and Chevron. It contains best practices ranging from asset selection to the use of maintenance management systems, inspection strategies, and economic justification principles.
According to CorrosionRADAR, the document was developed to enable asset owners to optimize inspection and repair strategies while enhancing CUI management processes with continuous monitoring systems in the arsenal.
To mitigate risks and repair the damage it causes to assets, CUI costs the industry billions of dollars every year. Unmanaged CUI can result in leaks and lead to process safety incidents. In turn, these often cause severe harm to the environment, high unexpected repair costs, and operational downtime.
Continuous monitoring systems can provide remote detection of localized corrosion and moisture on an asset, while also providing corrosion rates. This empowers asset owners to make informed decisions on where and when to conduct repairs, which can lead to significant cost savings, reduced safety hazards, and minimized environmental risks.
The key principles outlined in the guidance include:
- The technology behind a CUI monitoring system;
- Asset selection criterion;
- The process to be used for technical justification, validation, and qualification;
- The use of remote monitoring in different inspection strategies;
- Organizational recommendations.
“Unmanaged CUI poses a significant risk to the mechanical integrity of insulated carbon steel equipment and piping, and repairing the damage it causes has significant cost implications,” says Theo Knijff, an independent consultant from KAI-Con, co-author of the guidance, and chair of the Recommended Practice Committee
“By implementing a continuous CUI monitoring system, asset owners can take proactive steps to prevent CUI from becoming a substantial issue,” he adds. “This minimizes the risk of process safety incidents and costly repairs while also optimizing downtime. We have developed the new best practices as an essential toolkit for asset owners and believe it will play a pivotal role in transforming the way the industry manages its assets in the future (by) enhancing asset management strategies and ensuring the longevity of critical infrastructure.”
For further information, email info@corrosionradar.com or visit the company’s website.
About CorrosionRADAR
CorrosionRADAR is described as a global solution provider of CUI risk monitoring. The company combines the power of product, data, and expertise to accurately predict when and where corrosion can occur in critical energy infrastructure. It is used by some of the world's largest energy companies and offers significant competitor advantages over traditional risk monitoring.
The solution is predictive, using data analytics software to provide a dynamic risk assessment for each asset location. It is more comprehensive, the company explains, offering both corrosivity and moisture rate monitoring over a much longer range.
CorrosionRADAR is based in Cambridge and counts Saudi Aramco Ventures, Dow, Kanoo Ventures, and Mercia among its shareholders.
Source: CorrosionRADAR, www.corrosionradar.com.