Patent ID: 7263465

Claim:
A method of creating data related to management of the operation of a pipeline, the data being available for immediate display or stored for future display, the method comprising the steps of: (a) identifying pipeline segments and/or related assets in which a spill could effect an area of high consequence; (b) developing a database of geological information for said segments on a segment by segment basis and/or related assets on an asset by asset basis; (c) estimating worst case release data for said pipeline segment and/or said related assets; and (d) developing a baseline threat assessment for said pipeline segments including for various ones of said pipeline segments (i) collecting construction data, operational data, inspection data and incident data; (ii) developing an integrity threat matrix; (iii) evaluating risk factors including long seam susceptibility, corrosion and evaluating said integrity matrix; (iv) ranking risks and establishing prioritization of corrective actions for said segments including the steps of developing an algorithm for said pipeline segments based upon evaluation of risks for specific ones of said pipeline segments and incorporating said algorithm in a computer interface; (v) developing a continuous improvement program which includes one or more of the following (1) identifying a change to a risk; (2) modifying said threat matrix based on said change; (3) modifying threat specific algorithms; and (4) modifying total risk algorithms; and wherein said continuous improvement program further includes (a) reviewing existing data for specific pipeline segments; (b) determining appropriate testing methods for said segments; and (c) calculating appropriate time interval for reassessment.