Pipeline Integrity Management Made Simple

Over the years, new regulations, safety and environmental concerns from the public have emphasized the requirement for pipeline owners to demonstrate and document the safe operation of their facilities. In Europe, the “Seveso 2” regulation has mentioned pipelines in the requirement for safety and integrity management of hazardous facilities. What were originally technical issues related to inspection and maintenance have now been wrapped up in the general concept of pipeline integrity management. The safety of pipelines has indeed become a social accountability issue at Corporate level for every Operator. Bureau Veritas has been involved since its inception in the conformity assessment, the certification of facilities and organisations and has developed a vast experience in the field of QHSE and Regulatory compliance. Based on this experience, Bureau Veritas is developing a practical approach to Pipeline Integrity Management, providing guidelines and methodologies for operators. The paper describes a performance-based and risk-based approach to Pipeline Integrity Management. The approach includes: assessment of the condition of facilities (through audits and inspections), performing risk analysis and engineering criticality assessments, drawing up the priority list of further inspections, interventions, repairs and maintenance, assisting and advising in the selection of the appropriate methodologies and tools, controlling the execution of such inline inspections, cathodic protection surveys, safety systems upgrades, maintenance and repair works. Bureau Veritas has also developed calculation criteria to interpret inspection data and to advise on fitness for service of the facilities to prioritize the repair works.