The ‘creep rate’ method described, which is based on short time creep tests up to 4000 h with accurate creep rate measurements, quantifies creep strain and remaining life for structural members subjected to creep stress. The evaluation is done using a time-temperature parameter accurately derived for the respective steel type which is used to determine the linear operation creep rate out of the linear creep rates of several creep tests. The creep strain and the remaining life up to a specified strain limit such as 2% (TRD 508) follow directly out of the linear creep rate determined for operation. With the method, which is comparatively accurate and conservative, seven pipes have been tested up to now. The shortest remaining life up to 2% strain was until 1999; the other pipes had far higher values. Intensive monitoring according to TRD 508 was only necessary in that shortest case because of 1% strain; in the other cases the usual level of monitoring was sufficient.