An Integrated Integrity Management Approach to Uprating High Pressure Gas Transmission Pipelines and Above Ground Installations

Advantica have recently developed an uprating methodology that provides the operator with a logical and auditable justification of safe operation at the increased pressure that can be presented to the regulator for approval. The overall approach can be described by seven distinct phases: • Feasibility study; • Data acquisition, field surveys and assembly; • Stress analysis; • Code compliance checks; • Fitness-for-purpose assessments including Risk & ALARP assessment; • Detail design; • Safety justification submission. The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe the above approach detailing the relevant aspects of each phase. Particular emphasis is given to the fitness-for-purpose phase which provides the major contribution to the overall safety justification. A case study is also provided within the paper detailing the application of the approach.