Uncertainty and Risk Factors Assessment for Cross-Country Pipelines Projects Using AHP

Abstract

Infrastructure cross-country pipelines projects carry out higher risk than traditional because they entail high capital outlays and intricate site conditions. The high-risk exposure associated with infrastructure cross-country pipelines projects needs special attention from contractors to analyze and manage their risks. They cannot be eliminated but can be minimized or transferred from one project stakeholder to another. Therefore, current research aims for identifying the risk factors that affect infrastructure cross-country pipelines projects based on experts experience and company’s point of view which participated in similar projects. The risk factors classified under two categories to company level risks and project level risks. The risk factors were assessed using risk assessment models that facilitate this assessment procedure, prioritize these projects based upon its risk indexes and evaluate risk contingency value. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) used to evaluate risk factors weights (likelihood) and FUZZY LOGIC approach to evaluate risk factors impact (Risk consequences) using software aids such as EXCEL and MATLAB software, accordingly risk indexes for both company level and project level evaluated and overall project risk index determined. Five case studies in different countries were selected to determine the highest risk factors and to implement the designed models and test its results. Results show that project no 3 in Iraq conquer the highest risk index (39.75%); however, project 5 in Egypt has the lowest risk index (5.24%). Results of risk factors in other countries are (32.81%) in Emirates, (17.27%) in Saudi Arabia and (11.67%) in Libya. Therefore, the developed model can be used to sort projects based upon risk, which facilitate company’s decision of which project can be pursued.