Assessment
Pipeline assessment involves close observation of internal and external sections of pipelines, profile calculation, flow modeling, obtaining the corrosion rate, risk status, and more. Identifying internal and external defects or damage allows professionals to ascertain the condition of pipelines and plan for remediation ahead of failures. Software tools can assess the corrosion profiles of pipelines and provide inspection and monitoring data in real-time. They can also simulate failure conditions allowing operators to mitigate additional risks. In the master control room located within a pipeline operator’s facility, monitoring can be done using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems which gather vital information about pipeline operations and relay data to engineers or technicians if a problem occurs. Surveillance cameras and sensors, fiber-optic cables, and temperature sensors positioned on or close to the pipelines can also check for leaks to prevent hazards.
Pipeline Integrity Planning
A pipeline integrity management plan includes all the activities aimed at the maintenance or repair of pipelines, such as defining operations and procedures, inspections, maintenance, pipeline monitoring, and corrosion prevention. Route planning involves an evaluation of the proposed right-of-way and the environmental impact on the immediate environment.
Project Management
Project Management in pipeline integrity management covers audits for corrosion management, data management, fit for service, burst service, third-party verification, etc.
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002
The pipeline safety improvement act of 2002 (PSIA-2002) is a joint mandate between the Department of Transportation (DOT), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out R&D and demonstration and provide standards to ensure the integrity of pipeline installations in the U.S. The 5-year joint program carries out research and development to establish frameworks for regulating pipeline safety across the country.