The document discusses the importance of reliability in the oil and gas industry given aging assets, tighter regulations, and environmental protection threats. It notes that aging equipment must be properly maintained or it could fail catastrophically. Several examples of failures are provided, including a pipeline rupture that resulted in six fatalities. The document emphasizes taking a proactive rather than reactive approach to asset integrity from initial design through decommissioning. It states that significant management commitment is needed to sustain a proactive safety culture long-term.