Effective Risk Visualization for Aboveground Storage Tanks Leveraging Existing Data Resources

Abstract This initiative aimed to establish a foundation for quantitative Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) in the Asset Performance Management (APM) system by enhancing risk visualization for Aboveground Storage Tanks (AGST) in ADNOC Distribution. A quantitative RBI will be feasible once the existing data resources are fully leveraged and gathered. The objective was to utilize available data to create Asset Passports for all tanks and then develop a centralized platform—the Tank Health Profile tool—to manage these passports effectively. This platform will provide actionable insights for managing tank integrity and lay the groundwork for quantitative RBI. As the first step, Asset Passports were developed for all AGSTs, consolidating critical information such as design details, inspection history, and protective barriers. Following this, the Tank Health Profile tool was created in-house as a centralized platform to manage these Asset Passports and enable enhanced risk visualization. Two risk assessments were carried out for each tank: an initial unmitigated risk assessment followed by a mitigated risk assessment that considered existing protective barriers like cathodic protection (CP) systems, linings, and release prevention barriers. The consequence assessment was based on Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), focusing on potential safety, environmental, and operational impacts. The probability of failure was determined qualitatively, considering corrosion rates and remaining life, and these results were plotted on the ADNOC Risk Matrix. For tanks with partial data, a qualitative risk assessment was conducted by referencing similar service tanks and standards, ensuring comprehensive risk evaluation and ranking. The Tank Health Profile initiative provided a robust qualitative foundation for future quantitative RBI in APM by consolidating existing data and facilitating comprehensive risk assessments for all AGSTs. The process highlighted critical tanks, offering clear prioritization for inspections, maintenance, and repairs, which allowed ADNOC Distribution to allocate resources more effectively and improve operational safety. The two-stage risk assessments—unmitigated and mitigated—demonstrated how integrity barriers like CP systems and linings significantly reduced the risk profile for many tanks. The use of the ADNOC Risk Matrix ensured that both the consequence and probability of failure were adequately represented. The qualitative assessment referencing similar tanks proved successful, allowing for risk ranking even in cases of incomplete histories. This initiative provided valuable insights into the current integrity data management, which will aid in transitioning to quantitative RBI in the future. This also introduced a practical solution to AGST risk management in data-deficient environments, acting as a precursor for future quantitative RBI implementation in APM. By leveraging available data, industry standards, and a qualitative risk-based approach, ADNOC Distribution was able to effectively prioritize integrity management actions. The Tank Health Profile tool, built upon the comprehensive Asset Passports, serves as a scalable and adaptable model for integrating current qualitative methods and future advanced RBI processes.