New guidelines for Risk Based Inspection (RBI)

In February, Bureau Veritas released NI 657, new guidelines for the Classification of Offshore Floating Units under a Risk Based Inspection (RBI) regime. These new guidelines complement existing guidelines such as NI 624 (Risk-based Structural Integrity Management of Offshore Jacket Structures) and NI 653 (Risk-based Structural Integrity Management for Topsides Structures).

NI 657 provides a complete risk framework that allows clients the possibility of classing their in-service floating units under RBI instead of the usual class regime. To support clients implementing and running their units under an RBI class regime, our guidelines present the required steps, including risk management, class processes and requirements for developing and updating an RBI plan.