Pipeline Integrity Management for the Modern World

Incidents resulting from inefficient pipeline integrity management (PIM) and subsequent leakages can have a devastating environmental impact and also negatively affect the reputation and finances of a company. As such, following effective PIM procedures can help minimise these risks and with the advent of new monitoring technologies PIM has become more effective than ever.

There are a large number of risks that can affect the integrity of pipelines making their monitoring and the management of this analysis imperative to running an effective operation. Today’s monitoring technologies give companies a detailed picture of their pipelines; typically sensors are placed at regular intervals along the entire length of the pipeline. These sensors are intersected by relay posts which transmit data back to a central location. It is through such a system of sensors and relays that it is possible for pipeline integrity management systems to span continents and distances in the thousands of miles.

In order for integrity of a pipeline to be effectively managed, monitoring must be able to detect the following:

Physical Stressors

Activities such as construction work can understandably cause damage to pipelines. As such detection of physical activities such as hammer blow or a pneumatic drill is vital to maintain integrity.

Human Interference 

The remote nature of some pipelines, particularly those in dangerous parts of the world can leave them open to sabotage and damage. Identifying acts of sabotage quickly and responding to these threats by deploying security personnel accurately are key to effective monitoring.

Natural Events

Modern monitoring systems are capable of detecting seismic activity along the length of the pipeline, not purely to detect earthquakes but other natural events such as ground shifts.

Temperature

The temperature of a pipeline can have a severe affect upon its efficiency and subsequently understanding the areas which are subject to extreme temperatures can be valuable insight.

Leaks

A loss of pressure within the pipe can indicate a leak, the value provided by monitoring systems is that they can pinpoint where these leaks are to mitigate the negative effects.

The development in pipeline integrity management technology has led to far more effective procedures and insight into the state of pipelines, even if they span thousands of miles. It is with this accurate insight and clarity that companies can improve their responses and minimise the threats posed by leaks and other damage.