Implementation of Alternative Integrity Validation on a Large Diameter Pipeline Construction Project

Hydrostatic testing has been used by the pipeline industry for many decades as an effective means to demonstrate safety and the leak-free condition of a newly constructed pipeline. However, significant advancements have been made in material, construction and leak detection technologies and quality control processes. These advancements have created the possibility of implementing an alternative to hydrostatic testing while still meeting the original purpose of demonstrating safety and leak-free condition of newly constructed pipelines. TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TransCanada) initiated the development of its Alternative Integrity Validation (AIV) approach in 2004. During 2004 and 2005, TransCanada successfully implemented AIV on a NPS 24 construction project under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB). With the learnings obtained from the first pilot AIV implementation, TransCanada subsequently implemented AIV on a NPS 42 construction project under the jurisdiction of the National Energy Board (NEB), with CC Technologies (CCT) as the independent third party auditor. As a result of the successful implementation of AIV, the hydrostatic testing requirement was waived for both projects by AEUB and NEB, respectively. This paper summarizes the AIV implementation on the larger diameter pipeline project and provides the perspectives from the pipeline company, regulator, and independent auditor.