Benchmarking of Oil and Gas Pipeline Companies in British Columbia: Integrating Integrity Management Program and Safety Culture Using a Risk-Based Approach

Oil and Gas (O&G) is one of the largest industrial sectors around the world and threatens both humans and environment. Both the companies and regulatory authorities consistently commit resources to improve their integrity management programs (IMPs) and safety culture maturity (SCM). Internal and external audits, public surveys, and benchmarking techniques are being used for discretely assessing both the IMPs and SCM. A novel risk-based benchmarking framework establishes logical relationships between IMP components and their contributions toward SCM attributes using failure mode effects analysis (FMEA). The framework evaluates 88 small, medium, and large-sized O&G companies operating in British Columbia (Canada) using the data from compliance audits for the period between 2011 and 2016. The results revealed that effective communication, updated protocols, and strict follow ups by the regulator with the operating companies improve both the IMP and SCM. The framework identifies the underperforming components for effective improvements and is a paradigm shift from the conventional twofold auditing process to a more efficient and time-saving practice.