What is pipeline maintenance and integrity management?

 

All the pipeline installation companies are aware that a pipeline leak can be devastating for both the environment and humans. There are a number of reasons that may impact the working of a pipeline. For example corrosion, faulty operation in a link or end seal, excavation, failure of equipment, or even a natural disaster. As a result, pipelines need to be repaired and sometimes an underground pipeline leak repair is required to fix the issue.

What is pipeline maintenance?

Pipeline installation companies do a regular check on pipeline functions. This check is done to ensure that the pipeline is transporting fuel and there is no leak. This requires regular inspections to check that the pipeline is working fine. Pipeline maintenance is critical keeping in mind the cost involved in replacement.

What is Pipeline Integrity Management(PIM)?

PIM is an action taken to ensure the integrity of the pipeline. Pipeline integrity means making sure the pipeline is safe from the time it is installed to the time it is closed. Bigger pipelines are connected with a link seal when they pass through a barrier to avoid any particle entering. They are at a higher risk. Under PIM, the pipeline is regularly evaluated and its condition is checked frequently. To prevent a pipeline failure or leak, the following steps are taken.

A. Assessing the pipeline:

Pipeline assessment means closely observing both internal and external sections of the pipelines. It is done to identify whether there are any internal and external faults, allowing pipeline owners to decide whether it needs replacement or an underground pipeline leak repair?

B. Making a plan:

In order to repair or replace, the owner needs to make a plan on how to proceed further. Data will be collected through audits and inspections.

C. Action time:

Based on the results action will be taken.

Pipeline maintenance is an integral part of the overall process of PIM. While pipeline maintenance focuses on how to keep the pipeline running in good condition, PIM aims to follow the rules and regulations as well as plan beforehand how to conduct and execute pipeline maintenance. PIM involves assessing the risk and identifying the threat to the pipeline. Safety needs to be ensured at the stages of pipeline installation, to repairs or extensions. RACI offers services in pipeline construction and maintenance. Through their engineered solutions, they help to maintain pipeline integrity.