Quest Reliability’s current and past clients comprise a broad spectrum of industries, including operators of petroleum, natural and processed gas, and chemical pipelines, which require specialized assessment of the significance of damage features identified and reported during pipeline system integrity inspections.

Pipelines can suffer many types of defects throughout their service life. Since these defects can cause permanent damage or failure and thus compromise the integrity of the pipeline, their significance must be assessed. Types of defects include corrosion, cracking, denting, gouging, dent/gouge combinations and stress corrosion cracking.

Over the years, fitness-for-Service methods such as those specified in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1/2007, ANSI/ASME B31.G, RSTRENG, and DNV, have become more widespread and incorporated in optimized Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) strategies. Such methods are fully codified and form an integral part of pipeline integrity guidance documents such as API 1163, ASME 31.8S and general industry best practices. In combination with a risk assessment approach, operators using the FFS methods can implement optimized and more cost-effective Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) programs while improving pipeline safety and reliability.

Quest Reliability offers three commercial software products that perform fitness-for-service and fracture mechanics analysis. These products have capabilities that span the full range of applications, from simple API 579-1 Level 1 assessments to highly advanced API 579-1 Level 3 finite element analyses.  Free demonstration versions of these products are available for download, along with documentation and example problems.  Click on the corresponding links for more information about each product.

Signal FFS™ is a fitness-for-service and fracture mechanics analysis tool that applies the rules of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1/2007, and in addition, provides several advanced analytical features.

FEACrack is a 3D finite element crack analysis program with automatic mesh generation.

FEAFlaw is a 3D finite element program to analyze volumetric flaws such as local thin areas.

Features of Pipeline FFS Assessment:

• Identifies key process and mechanical reliability limits
• Reviews pipeline’s design, construction and operational history
• Categorizes damage according to size and pipeline operating conditions via ILI data or direct assessment 
• Measures performance availability in key areas: safety, environmental, yield, efficiency, and availability
• Provides API 579-1, Engineering Level II/III Fitness for Service and Remaining Life Assessment
• Calculates, utilizing proprietary software, remaining strength factor, deterministic and Monte-Carlo probabilistic remaining life, and identifies the most likely failure mechanism
• Assesses and presents quantifiable results and operating and mechanical data in a proprietary, client viewer package

Benefits of Pipeline FFS Assessment:

• Manages operating risk and lower pipeline failure risk – facilitates safer, more confident operation  
• Provides instant knowledge that empowers risk-based decisions
• Advances and improves the pipeline system risk-based inspection program
• Eliminates unscheduled shutdowns and minimizes emergency repairs
• Achieves optimum productivity while balancing reliability and performance demands
• Maximizes the life-cycle value of the pipeline system
• Prioritizes and effectively manages pipeline rehabilitation and remediation
• Identifies operating and maintenance Best Practices