Development of a Cost-benefit Model for the Management of Structural Risk on Oil Facilities in Mexico

A reliability-based cost-benefit model for the risk management of oil platforms in the formulation of optimal decisions based on life-cycle consideration is proposed. The model is based on structural risk assessments and the integration of social issues and economics into the management decision process. Structural risks result from the platform's exposure to the random environmental loading associated with the offshore site where it is located. Several alternative designs of a typical platform are proposed and assessed from the cost-effectiveness viewpoint. This assessment is performed through the generation of cost/benefit relationships that are used, later on, to select the optimal design.