Author: Ing. mayuly rodriguez
The main industrial sector demanding integrity of pipeline assets , is that of oil and gas, because it depends to a large extent on the transportation networks of hydrocarbons and their derivatives through long distances of pipelines distributed throughout the planet and the innumerable systems that make up the processing plants and refiners. Pipelines are the main transportation option due to their efficiency, safety, and lower cost compared to other means used.
However, these networks and systems are vulnerable to a series of variables such as: corrosion, erosion, wear, fatigue, temperature, service, environmental factors, among other present variables that affect the pipeline asset integrity and it is essential to monitor them to guarantee both the efficiency and security of the systems as well as the protection of the ecosystem and the investments of the organizations.
Light products in the oil and gas industry
In the oil and gas industry, light products are an essential part of refining processes. They refer to liquid hydrocarbons that have a relatively low density and a low boiling point, they are also characterized by their low content of carbon atoms and high volatility, making them valuable for a wide variety of applications. They mainly include gasoline, kerosene, diesel, naphtha, solvents, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), among others.
Much of these are called flammable fuels, therefore, the success of the efficiency of piping systems that transport light products depends to a large extent on the innovations and technologies applied for monitoring, inspections and maintenance. Making the systems work optimally and be safer, preventing failures that cause large spills, affecting the environment, communities and generating economic losses for investors.
What is pipeline asset integrity management?
It is the ability of a pipeline to operate safely and efficiently in its operating environment, maintaining its functionality and structural resistance over time. This includes the prevention of leaks, resistance to corrosion, protection against mechanical damage, third-party care, among other factors that must be controlled, to avoid asset failures, guaranteeing the safety of people, the environment, and profitability. of companies.
Pipeline integrity management is essential in the oil and gas industry. The transportation and distribution of fuels and gas, among other light products, is largely carried out through piping systems, where today new technologies make important contributions with the development of methodologies, software, devices to overcome the challenges that the stakeholders face.
Main risks to which pipes for light products are subjected
It is necessary to identify the risks that threaten the integrity of industrial pipelines and can cause serious consequences to production systems. Among these we can mention:
Corrosion: Pipes are exposed to external corrosion due to possible failures of the protective systems and environmental conditions, and internally due to the chemical agents of the products they transport.
Vibrations: They greatly affect the integrity when the pipes are exposed to constant vibrations.
Fatigue: It is a random phenomenon, but it can occur without prior warning, causing failure of materials under mechanical loads.
Mechanical impacts: The pipes can suffer mechanical blows, by machinery and falling objects.
Incorrect operating procedures: Any variation in compliance with the design operational variables or poor operation of the valves or drainage and venting systems can be risk factors for the pipelines.
Environmental factors: They can be greatly affected by floods, earth movements, climate changes.
External factors: Third parties are always latent among the risks, mainly in piping systems that are located in external areas.
What are the costs of ignoring the integrity of the light product pipeline?
Throughout history, in many companies in the oil and gas industry, it was not possible to detect discontinuities in time that generated failures with serious irreversible consequences , with human losses, contamination of the ecosystem, deteriorated infrastructure and devaluation of business capital.
Not maintaining the mechanical integrity of a light product piping system can be detrimental to organizations, among the main consequences are:
- Failures, leaks, or spills can result in injury, loss of life, property damage, and environmental damage. Additionally, unplanned repairs result in additional downtime and costs.
- Lack of pipeline integrity can affect production and revenue. Failure to detect damage to the pipeline such as corrosion, vibrations, temperature variables or other failures that affect the operational continuity of the system and reduces the transport capacity of the products.
Regulatory non-compliance can result in large fines and penalties. Regulatory agencies require ongoing inspections and testing to ensure the integrity of this asset.
Understandably today, the industry is being cautious about allocating substantial resources for inspections, maintenance or renovations of its assets, as the risk of getting it wrong in terms of reputational damage, financial performance, safety and environmental impact can be significant.
How to improve pipeline integrity to protect your investment?
The security of transport infrastructures for light products has been increasing as technological advances have made it possible to automate processes, monitor tasks and collect large amounts of information that favor greater reliability of production systems.
Below are the best practices that can be applied to maintain the integrity of the pipelines and protect the investments of the organizations:
Risk assessment: It is important to identify potential risks to pipeline integrity and develop a risk management plan.
Regular inspections: Continuous inspections help detect problems early, before they become serious problems.
Data management: It is essential for the maintenance and management of the integrity of the pipelines. Inspection and monitoring data must be recorded and stored in an asset management system.
This data is used to develop maintenance plans and identify potential problems before they become a major problem. Additionally, data management can help ensure regulatory compliance and provide critical information for decision-making.
Predictive and Preventive Maintenance: Predictive and preventive maintenance technologies, such as continuous monitoring and data analysis, can help identify problems before they become major problems.
Adequate design and construction: The adequate selection of materials from the design and the fulfillment of all the requirements during the construction are a key factor to prevent risks of corrosion and some other failure during the operation of the systems.
Personnel training: It is important that the personnel manage all the terms of pipeline integrity, and are trained to identify, report, take actions and make the best proposals for maintenance or repair of the pipeline; as well as in the identification of potential problems.
They must also be trained in the use of monitoring equipment and the identification of corrosion failures and other structural damage.
Regulatory compliance: Comply with the requirements that regulate the integrity of the pipeline, including the required inspections and tests.
With the implementation of industrial inspection and maintenance programs, assets can be protected and guaranteed for a long term.
How to maximize the integrity of pipeline assets through the implementation of new technologies?
In oil and gas, levels of return and operational risk are highly dependent on the integrity of assets throughout the value chain.
Therefore, with the purpose of avoiding unforeseen operational stops, improving the integrity of the pipelines, today advanced technologies for the latest generation of data analysis are implemented, such as software, equipment and remote monitoring devices, to know in real time the conditions of the pipes.
Advanced tools are implemented to locate the precise points where the damage mechanisms occur that must be evaluated to detect potential failure risks in time.
There are companies that propose solutions adapted to the needs of the industry, to face all the challenges in terms of asset integrity and to optimize their operations and maintenance, guaranteeing a continuous, efficient, safe production system and in compliance with the applicable regulations.
Ancor Pipeline Integrity is a company specialized in data analysis and evaluation in the area of pipeline integrity, risk assessment, cathodic protection, corrosion and reliability. They offer advanced pipeline integrity engineering services for various industry sectors.
Vector Engineering International Offers training and specialized services in mechanical integrity for different industrial sectors in order to contribute to the transformation and integrity of assets.
PiMSlider is powerful, graphical, multi-user software used in all phases of pipeline and static equipment integrity management. Piping, equipment, population, and environmental data are integrated and processed in PiMSlider to provide vital information for demonstrating pipeline integrity and making critical business decisions about pipeline maintenance program design, inspection strategies and the investment for repairs or substitutions.
Synergi Company offers an asset integrity software suite that provides a central platform to support effective risk-based integrity management that helps reduce unscheduled downtime or incidents due to asset failure.
In addition to using advanced technologies, it is necessary to implement inspection and maintenance programs that must be fulfilled as part of the strategies developed by the operators to maintain the reliability of the pipelines and define the maintenance actions required in terms of cost benefits to ensure life useful and view inspections as an investment that guarantees the profitability of piping systems.
Conclusions
The oil and gas market is innovating and the best way to protect your investments is by applying technological advances that create efficient, safe and environmentally responsible opportunities.
Pipeline integrity for organizations means ensuring that all related components function properly. It’s about keeping pipelines safe for life, doing everything possible to ensure that pipelines are designed, built and operated to be safe, reliable and sustainable.
A point of reference regarding the energy transition towards renewable energies, due to the growing concern at the global level of environmental impact, among the projects is, studying the approval of existing infrastructures so that it can be used with alternative fuels from new energies, which encourages stakeholders to keep their assets in excellent operating condition.
Sources
https://www.mckinseyenergyinsights.com/resources/refinery-reference-desk/refined-products/
https://www.nrdc.org/bio/amy-mall/pipeline-incident-statistics-reveal-significant-dangers
https://integridadmecanica.com/capacitacion-disponible/
If you want to become a specialist in Non-Destructive Testing to improve the Integrity of industrial assets, we invite you to enroll in our ” Non-Destructive Testing (END): uses and applications in the Oil and Gas sector ” diploma course. This program is aimed at improving the level of skills of professionals in the areas of design, maintenance, inspection and quality engineering, as well as all those who seek to develop their professional profile in the area of mechanical integrity and asset reliability.
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