Development of a Risk Ranking Tool Based on Quantitative Methods

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray Hicks ◽  
Clive Ward
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Structural Mechanics ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Risk Ranking ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Threat Categories ◽  
Integrity Management

US pipeline integrity management regulations require operators to rank the risks caused by their operations. Many operators use qualitative methods for this risk ranking process. Such methods have several benefits including simplicity and flexibility. Unfortunately, they rely heavily on engineering judgment and produce results that are very specific to the pipeline system(s) being ranked. This makes it extremely difficult to relate the outputs from different systems or companies within an organization. This paper describes the development and application of a risk ranking approach that requires less judgment and provides the user with an estimate of the true risk of operating the pipeline. Quantitative methods, based on an understanding of structural mechanics, are applied to seven of the nine threat categories listed in ASME B31.8S in order to determine the pipeline’s reliability. An assessment of risk to life is achieved by combining the output from structural mechanics models with a quantitative consequence of failure model. The software operates on a GIS platform, making it easier to demonstrate compliance with the integrity data management requirements that are now part of the relevant federal codes. Results produced from the quantitative approach have been compared to those generated by qualitative methods, in a case study. This illustrates some important differences between the two and show that a more rigorous, quantitative approach can provide the operator with significant benefits including the ability to generate meaningful results with less data. In particular, quantitative methods have the potential to allow operators to move towards a more performance-based approach to their ongoing integrity management processes.

scholarly journals Toward a Quantitative Approach to the Specialness of Poetry: Taking Chang Hen Ge and Chang Hen Ge Zhuan as a Case Study

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110299
Author(s):  
Cong Zhang ◽  
Rui Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Function Words ◽  
New Perspective

The differences of linguistic features between Chang Hen Ge ( Ge) and Chang Hen Ge Zhuan ( Zhuan) have rarely been mentioned in the relevant fields. Nevertheless, these differences can best highlight the specialness of poetry, for the two works were written contemporaneously by two friends on the same subject, in distinct styles. This article employs quantitative methods and indicators to provide empirical evidence for the specialness of Ge through comparisons between the two. The results show that, on the premise of expressing the same subject in different styles, Ge does have certain linguistic characteristics compared with Zhuan. Its particularity is reflected not only in fewer repeat characters and words but also in their richness, as well as in the use of more content words and fewer function words. Moreover, all of these characteristics have had a great influence on Ge’s artistic level and dissemination. Through this study, we hope that our methods provide a new perspective and shed some light on this area.

Qualitative Comparative Analysis: meer behorend bij de kwalitatieve dan de kwantitatieve benadering

KWALON ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Pattyn ◽  
Lasse Gerrits ◽  
Stefan Verweij
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Research Tradition ◽  
Case Study Data

Qualitative Comparative Analysis: more associated with the qualitative research tradition than with the quantitative approach Qualitative Comparative Analysis: more associated with the qualitative research tradition than with the quantitative approach Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is an approach that enables systematically comparing qualitative case study data. The fact that QCA borrows certain elements from quantitative methods (such as the use of Boolean algebra and the quantification of conditions and outcomes) may raise questions about the qualitative character of QCA. Based on a discussion of four criteria relating to causal analysis, we argue that QCA belongs to the qualitative research tradition. Where QCA borrows characteristics from the quantitative approach, this is only for the sake of a qualitative objective: to better understand the conditions underlying a particular outcome or phenomenon.

KOC’s Integrity Management Program for Non-Piggable Pipelines: A Case Study

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish Khera ◽  
Abdul Wahab Al-Mithin ◽  
James E. Marr ◽  
Shabbir T. Safri ◽  
Saleh Al-Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Pipeline Network ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Direct Assessment ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
External Corrosion

More than half of the world’s oil and gas pipelines are classified as non-piggable. Pipeline operators are becoming aware there are increased business and legislative pressures to ensure that appropriate integrity management techniques are developed, implemented and monitored for the safe and reliable operation of their pipeline asset. The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has an ongoing “Total Pipeline Integrity Management System (TPIMS)” program encompassing their entire pipeline network. In the development of this program it became apparent that not all existing integrity management techniques could be utilized or applied to each pipeline within the system. KOC, upon the completion of a risk assessment analysis, simply separated the pipelines into two categories consisting of piggable and non-piggable lines. The risk analysis indicated KOC’s pipeline network contains more than 200 non-piggable pipelines, representing more than 60% of their entire pipeline system. These non-piggable pipelines were to be assessed by utilizing External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) for the threat of external corrosion. Following the risk analysis, a baseline external corrosion integrity assessment was completed for each pipeline. The four-step, iterative External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) process requires the integration of data from available line histories, multiple indirect field surveys, direct examination and the subsequent post assessment of the documented results. This case study will describe the available correlation results following the four steps of the DA process for specific non-piggable lines. The results of the DA program will assist KOC in the systematic evaluation of each individual non-piggable pipeline within their system.

scholarly journals Using Fuzzy Logic to Increase the Accuracy of E-Commerce Risk Assessment Based on an Expert System

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 2205-2209
Author(s):  
H. Beheshti ◽  
M. Alborzi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Set Theory ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Boolean Logic ◽  
Fuzzy Mathematics ◽  
Inaccurate Data ◽  
Fuzzy Expert Systems

Strong adaptive control can be exercised even without access to accurate data inputs. Such control is possible through fuzzy mathematics, which is a meta-collection of Boolean logic principles that imply relative accuracy. Fuzzy mathematics find applications in e-commerce, where different risk analysis methods are available for risk assessment and estimation. Such approaches can be quantitative or qualitative, depending on the type of examined data. Quantitative methods are grounded in statistics, whereas qualitative methods are based on expert judgments and fuzzy set theory. Given that qualitative methods are very subjective and deal with vague or inaccurate data, fuzzy logic can be used to extract useful information from data inaccuracies. In this study, a model based on the opinions of e-commerce security experts was designed and implemented by using fuzzy expert systems and MATLAB. A case study was conducted to validate the effectiveness of the Model.

UNDERSTANDING AND USING QUALITATIVE METHODS IN PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

2016 ◽  
pp. 46-57
Author(s):  
H.M Kasinath
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Practical Reasons ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Constructivist Approaches

Qualitative methods are used in research that is designed to provide an in-depth description of a specific programme, practice, or setting. Three of the possible reasons for choosing qualitative methods are explored in this article: (a) the researcher's view of the world, (b) the nature of the research questions, and (c) practical reasons associated with the nature of qualitative methods. Different types of qualitative research methods are practiced in educational and psychological research out of which, the paper showcases seven strategies Ethnographic research, Case study, Phenomenological research, Grounded theory, Participative inquiry, Clinical research and Focus groups. Qualitative evaluation methods are an essential part of the range of tools that evaluators call upon in their practice. Since the 1970s, when qualitative evaluation methodswerefirstintroducedas alternativetotheexperimental/quasi-experimental paradigms, the philosophical underpinnings and methodological requirements for sound qualitative evaluation have transformed the evaluation profession. Debates continue about the relative merits of positivistic and constructivist approaches to evaluation, but many evaluators have come to the view that pragmatically, it is desirable to mix qualitative and quantitative methods. More specifically the present paper examines the need for understanding and using qualitative methods in performance measurement.

Total Pipeline Integrity Management System Implemented for KOC Pipelines: A Case Study

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Robb Isaac ◽  
Saleh Al-Sulaiman ◽  
Monty R. Martin ◽  
Sandeep Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Transit System ◽  
Integrity Assessment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Integrity Management

In early 2005, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) initiated a Total Pipeline Integrity Management System (TPIMS) implementation in order to carry out a major integrity assessment of its operating facilities, equipment, buried plant piping and pipeline network and to establish a continuing integrity management program. KOC Transit System is a complex infrastructure consisting of over three hundred pipelines, thousands of wellhead flow lines, and consumer and offshore lines for which there was a significant loss of data when the facilities were destroyed during a military invasion in 1990. An initial pipeline system assessment identified issues and actions regarding condition of the pipelines, corridors, requirements on in-line inspection (ILI), documentation, RISK assessment, status of international code compliance, and overall state of the system. Following recommendations from that initial assessment led to the development of a long term strategy; the execution of which required the implementation of a comprehensive integrity management program. This case study discusses the results obtained after five years of implementation of TPIMS at KOC. It will demonstrate some of the complex components involved in managing the integrity of the Transit System that have been made possible through the implementation of the system. The general concept and structure of TPIMS will be described, and how it deals with the complexity of the KOC pipeline system. The system made it possible to integrate and manage data from various sources, by conducting integrity assessment using ILI, Direct Assessment and hydrostatic testing, as well as structure a comprehensive RISK & Decision Support mechanism. This is one of the world’s first implementations of this magnitude which encompasses such a wide range of services and variables; all being managed in a single environment and utilized by a multitude of users in different areas at KOC. The biggest challenge in a project of this scope is data management. Examples will be shown of the integration structure to illustrate the benefits of using a single comprehensive and versatile platform to manage system requirements; ultimately providing system reliability and improving overall operational efficiency.

Qualitative methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-40
Author(s):  
Iwona Olejnik ◽  
Atanaska Reshetkova
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
The Third ◽  
Sustainability Research ◽  
Projection Techniques ◽  
Ecological Culture

The main goal of the chapter is to present how to use qualitative methods in sustainability research. First, the theoretical basis of the methods is presented, i.e., the essence of qualitative methods, what differs them from quantitative methods, and their types. The second part of this chapter covers designing and conducting a focus group interview (FGI): its essence and main stages, sampling, projection techniques and the script, as well as it contains the case study of ecological culture of Bulgarians. The third part presents considerations necessary to conduct a qualitative research, i.e., the organizational aspects of FGI and the guidelines for the work of the moderator. Finally, the last part shows considerations concerning data analysis—using CAQDAS software.

System-Wide Response to Incidents: Case Study

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Zhang ◽  
S. Kariyawasam ◽  
R. Sutherby ◽  
J. Upadhyaya
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Thermal Expansion ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
Major Incident ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Major Incidents ◽  
Integrity Management

This paper presents a systematic and comprehensive procedure for the system-wide response to incidents (SWRI). This SWRI process has been used for identifying emerging threats and incorporating the learnings from major incidents into a pipeline integrity management program (IMP). This process also complements the IMP for threat identification and system wide risk assessment, thus giving consideration to all known threats and their interactions. A recent major incident due to thermal expansion on a TransCanada pipeline system was used to demonstrate the process of SWRI and the use of SWRI to identify the contributing factors of thermal expansion. An example was used to illustrate the engineering assessment for thermal expansion driven by the construction of two new compressor stations on an existing pipeline. The process documented in this case study has the potential to augment the integrity management programs and systemic corrective actions for pipeline systems in the energy industry.

A Study of Crack Detection Ultrasonic Attributes to Manage Leak Threats Associated With Short Crack-Like Flaws in ERW Pipelines

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Korol ◽  
Yvan Hubert ◽  
Gordon Fredine ◽  
Petra Senf ◽  
Sherry-Ann Koon Koon
Keyword(s):  
Crack Detection ◽  
Fatigue Cracks ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
Critical Length ◽  
Pipeline System ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Primary Identification

Inline Inspection (ILI) tools along with hydrostatic testing have been the primary identification and mitigation techniques for cracking threats on liquids pipelines. Each technique faces detection challenges in relation with the weld type, geometry, and feature types, sizes and orientations. Low frequency electric resistance welds (LF ERWs) are subject to a number of crack-like defects due to the ERW manufacturing process. These defects may include fatigue cracks, lack of fusion, burned metal defects, stitched welds, cold welds, cracks in hard HAZ, surface breaking hook cracks near the weld and selective seam corrosion [1]. Within a population of features in a pipeline, a subpopulation can exist of short, deep defects (>50% wt) that may be undersized by the ILI tool or not detected by a hydrostatic test due to the length of the flaw. For ILI tools, a length detection threshold is set based on the tool speed (which is dictated by the tool type and configuration). A feature may be undersized by the ILI tool if its length is below this tool threshold. For hydrostatic testing, through-wall flaws may be undetected if the flaw length is below the critical length for a significant leak. Through detailed ILI data analysis, Enbridge along with PII Pipeline Solutions has been able to consistently identify short and deep crack-related defects on LF ERW pipe through means other than feature dimensions provided by the ILI tool. In-ditch non-destructive examination and destructive laboratory testing has confirmed these features are critical and fall below current ILI tool’s detection thresholds. This paper discusses unique ILI data attributes that may identify a more severe feature than would conventional ILI sizing practices, and how the identification and selection procedure is being applied across Enbridge’s pipeline system. This analysis effort aligns with Enbridge’s goal to continuously improve its integrity management processes and further enhance the safety of its pipelines.

scholarly journals Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Doctoral Education: A Case Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 748-753
Author(s):  
Robert M. Bickmeier ◽  
Steven G. Rogelberg ◽  
Gregory C. Berka
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Feature Article ◽  
Organizational Sociology ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Modes Of Thought ◽  
Organizational Science

We were honored and flattered to be recognized in the feature article for our commitment to qualitative methods training. As an interdisciplinary program focused on organizational science, we strive not to privilege one form of training, thought, or inquiry over another. We recognize that a number of the problems and questions faced by organizational scholars and practitioners cannot adequately be addressed solely by a single discipline or method. Instead, we emphasize the synergy between different methods and modes of thought. Ultimately, our philosophy is that organizational phenomena are inherently interdisciplinary, thus training should reflect that. Our students are trained in industrial–organizational (I-O) psychology, management, organizational sociology, and organizational communication. We use this commentary as an opportunity to explain why our program values qualitative methods equally with quantitative methods, describe how we integrate that training, highlight a few success stories resulting from qualitative projects in our program, and then share some advice to other programs considering additional qualitative training.

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