This process happens naturally when metal materials deteriorate through oxidation. In regard to pipelines, corrosion can cause metal loss in the pipe, which leads to weakening and compromises the overall integrity of the pipe. There are two main types of corrosion — external, which is the outside material of the pipe reacting with the surrounding environment, and internal, which refers to interior pipe corrosion from the products traveling through it. Other specific types of corrosion can occur on pipeline components, such as seam corrosion.
What Is Pipeline Integrity?
Pipeline safety is our passion. When quality, experience and cost matter you can turn to our powerhouse integrity and compliance team.
The process of pipeline integrity ensures pipelines and their related components are properly and safely designed and operational. The goal is to safeguard pipelines from damage and defects all the way through their life spans, from design to decommissioning.
Because pipelines are exposed to extreme conditions, taking steps to improve and maintain pipeline integrity is essential. As a result, pipeline integrity management (PIM) involves numerous strategies to ensure the pipeline is continually safe for use.
Common Causes of Pipeline Failure
Understanding how a pipeline might fail is crucial, as it helps pipeline managers and maintenance workers better anticipate failures and enact proper PIM. There are several potential causes of pipeline failure, including:
One of the most common pipeline failure causes is external damage. For example, natural forces like landslides or temperature extremes, or other outside forces, such as vandalism, can lead to failures in pipeline integrity. These causes can be beyond human control, but PIM for external forces is still necessary.
The internal pressure within pipelines is often cyclical, which can lead to eventual interior wear. This kind of failure is more likely to happen over time as the inner wall of the pipe experiences pressure fluctuations.
Sometimes, defects can be present in the material manufacturing process for pipelines. This issue can lead to incomplete bonding in the steel components used to produce the pipe. While rare in modern pipeline production processes, impurities are still a possibility and can lead to failure later on.
Assurance That Critical Infrastructure Is Safe and Reliable
Pipeline integrity management ensures safety from conception to retirement. Our integrity management services include program development, data validation, risk analysis, corrosion evaluation, integrity engineering and integrity field services.
TRC’s experienced pipeline integrity team will get you in the rule and keep you in the rule. Not satisfied with standardized pipeline integrity solutions? Our experts provide carefully tailored integrity strategies that solve your specific challenges within your corporate framework and budget.
The need for accurate comprehensive analysis of integrity data is of the utmost importance to ensure you can make informed and accurate decisions about safely operating and maintaining your assets.
Integrity Engineering:
- HCA and MCA Identification and Class Locations Analysis (Gas)
- HCA Spill Modeling and Air Dispersion (Liquids)
- Emergency Flow Restricting Device (EFRD) Studies
- MAOP/MOP Calculation, Validation and Reconfirmation
- Pipeline and Facility Risk and Threat Identification
- In-Line Inspection (ILI) Program, Design and Implementation
- Remediation Planning
Integrity Field Services:
- ILI Program Management Including Repair and Remediation
- Integrity Dig Plan Development and Management
- ILI Tool Validation and Run Supervision
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Services Including Validation
- Line Location and Structure Validation
- Asset and Class Location Verification
- Digital Field Data Capture
Corrosion Services:
- Direct Assessment Program Design and Management (ECDA, ICDA and SCCDA)
- CP Design and AC Mitigation
- Model Pipeline and HVAC Powerlines
- Close Interval Survey and Corrosion Mapping
- Coating Assessment
- MIC Sample Collection
- Test Stations, External Corrosion Coupons, Reference Cells and Anodes
Pipeline Integrity Management Projects
Discover the success we’ve had with helping our clients execute major projects and make a meaningful impact on their local communities.
Asset Knowledge Management and Creating a Digital Twin
Large-Scale Asset Knowledge Gathering
Emergency Preparedness – Gas Utility ERPs and FEMA ICS Integration
Rapid Response to Unplanned System Disruption Event
Small Pipeline Operator Integrity Management Planning
Transmission AC Interference Study and Mitigation Design
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
Insights
OSHA Enforces New National Emphasis Program to Address Concerns with Warehouses and Distribution Centers
August 23, 2023
Why is OSHA concerned with Warehouses and Distribution Center Operations? The warehousing and distribution centers industries are growing rapidly, with employment increasing from 668,900 workers in 2011 to 1,713,900 in 2021. Within these same industries, there have been high rates of illness and injury. Specifically, within the warehousing and storage industry, top illnesses and injuries in 2020 included:
Insights
How to Use an Integrated Approach To Manage EHS and ESG Risks
April 20, 2022
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an employee is injured on the job every seven seconds. Workplace accidents are all too common and can cause major problems for employees and employers. We’re going to look at some of the most common workplace accidents and discuss how to avoid and prevent them so you and your employees can enjoy the benefits of a safe work environment.
