Due to a scarcity of data, the estimate of the frequency of a rare event is a consistently challenging problem in probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). However, the use of precursor data has been shown to help in obtaining more accurate estimates. Moreover, the use of hyper-priors to represent prior parameters in the hierarchical Bayesian approach (HBA) generates more consistent results in comparison to the conventional Bayesian method. This study proposes a framework that uses a precursor-based HBA for rare event frequency estimation. The proposed method is demonstrated using the recent BP Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico. The conventional Bayesian method is also applied to the same case study. The results show that the proposed approach is more effective with regards to the following perspectives: (a) using the HBA in the proposed framework provides an opportunity to take full advantage of the sparse data available and add information from indirect but relevant data; (b) the HBA is more sensitive to changes in precursor data than the conventional Bayesian method; and (c) using hyper-priors to represent prior parameters, the HBA is able to model the variability that can exist among different sources of data. © 2012 The Institution of Chemical Engineers.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Deepwater Horizon accident; Hierarchical Bayesian approach; Oil spill; Precursor-based approach; Rare event frequency estimation; Bayesian methods; Deepwater horizons; Gulf of Mexico; Hierarchical bayesian; Precursor-based approach; Sparse data
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Maritime engineering
Research Field:	Ocean engineering
Objective Division:	Mineral Resources (Excl. Energy Resources)
Objective Group:	Environmentally sustainable mineral resource activities
Objective Field:	Environmentally sustainable mineral resource activities not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Khan, FI (Professor Faisal Khan)
ID Code:	94543
Year Published:	2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:	61
Deposited By:	NC Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics
Deposited On:	2014-09-11
Last Modified:	2015-01-27
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