scope:

This recommended practice (RP) aims to provide operators, contractors and suppliers with guidance on the management and application of reliability and integrity management (RIM) engineering techniques in subsea projects and operations within their scope of work and supply. It is applicable to:

- standard and nonstandard equipment (within the scope of API 17A);

- new field developments, further development of existing fields and field upgrades;

- all life cycle phases from feasibility through design, manufacture, and operation to decommissioning.

NOTE API 18LCM [1] gives additional guidance on general requirements for life cycle management of equipment.

This RP is not intended to replace individual company processes, procedures, document nomenclature, or numbering; it is a guide. For example, this RP does not prescribe the use of any specific equipment or process. It does not recommend any actions, beyond good engineering practice. However, this RP may be used to enhance existing processes, if deemed appropriate.