Definition of API RP 580 and RBI

Candela Rocío Barbisan | Oct. 2021
Chemical engineer

To begin with, it is essential to understand what the API standards are, from where the API RP 580 is derived and the RBI is associated. API are standards and recommended practices developed by the American Petroleum Institute that govern most of the oil and natural gas industry, understanding the scope of each rule in particular.

As detailed by the American Petroleum Institute, API work practices and models provide a firm foundation for working with security, as well as establishing a framework in terms of quality, care in logistics, and Balance costs, optimizing procedures and how to act on the variables. Such is the case that they have developed more than 700 standards and recommended practices and constitute the most universally cited source in terms of guidelines in different methodologies.

RBI is a methodology of risk management whose purpose is to elaborate an adequate inspection plan to avoid the loss of fluid containment, that is why it is part of the mechanical integrity processes. In this framework, according to API 580, the risk is the product between the probability and the consequence regarding an event. The RBI is a tool that allows us to prioritize and order the inspection efforts of companies on their assets based on the level of risk they have.

For its part, mechanical integrity brings together the processes by which various quality, reliability and operational safety standards are ensured. Mechanical integrity management systems are themselves a set of policy-aligned processes companies of each company that aim to minimize the containment leaks of a certain equipment.

RBI is not the only tool available for risk management, in the industry there are many known and widely used such as: “What if?”; "QRA", "RCM", "HAZID", "HAZOP", to name a few.

For this, it becomes essential to have a tool that allows us to estimate the level of risk. In this way, we have various methodologies to do it as well, in the particular case of API 580, it is aligned with the calculation methodology provided by API RP 581. While API RP 580 provides a basic guide for conducting an RBI, API RP 581 details procedures for managing a risk-based inspection plan.

As in any aspect of life where there are "grays", there are different types of risk estimation methodologies, some methodologies provide a qualitative analysis where the required information is less detailed and the work time is less while there is the possibility of estimating the risk as a numerical value, requiring greater efforts and an adequate calculation engine such as software specialized. In the transition, semi-quantitative risk analysis methodologies are located that combine beneficial aspects of the other two.

Functions and application examples

API 580 defines the bases to carry out the RBI methodology and thus define where to focus inspection efforts, when to perform inspections and what methods to use to achieve the best effectiveness. In addition, it will make it possible to define the most appropriate actions to mitigate the risk, if necessary, and specify plans for maintenance to manage risk in process plants in service.

It is important to know on which equipment this methodology can be carried out and it is the one achieved by the API 580 standard. The scope results: Pressure Vessels, Pressure Tanks Storage (both atmospheric and pressurized), Process piping, Rotating equipment (only components that contain pressure such as cylinders or heaters), Boilers and Heaters, Pressure Relief Devices and Heat Exchangers Hot. While not covered: Instrumentation and control systems, electrical systems, structural systems, and rotating machinery components (except pumps and compressor covers).

Consulted bibliography

• Inspection, R. B. (2016). API Recommended Practice 580. American Petroleum Institute.