A Quick Look At Pipeline Integrity Management

The need for pipeline integrity management (PIM) has increased as it has become more

apparent that a disruption in a gas or liquid pipeline can have serious, long-term negative impacts on the environment and quality of life for people well beyond the location of the pipeline. In 2002, the Pipeline Safety Act was enacted in the United States which sets stringent requirements for assuring that all pipelines in the US meet specific safety standards both before they are installed and after installation.

There are many aspects addressed in the system that combines the expertise of scientists, engineers and production and transmission companies. The inspection standards have been determined and are in place in the United States. Bringing all systems into compliance with the legal stipulations is an ongoing process. But the systems are more than just fining or penalizing companies that are out of compliance. The regulations seek to improve the safety of an entire system of transportation and delivery of liquid such as petroleum products and gases such as natural gas.

The system also ensures that resources such as petroleum and natural gas are allocated fairly and consistently so that the country continues to operate effectively. This part of the statutes and regulations attempts to ensure that the country's operations would not come to a complete standstill in the event of a national or regional emergency. A continued supply of oil to run power plants and to provide fuel for vehicles is a key part of the operational systems.

The PIM rules force affected organizations and individuals to identify and analyze events that might cause disruption in the systems for pipeline transport. The next step is to rank those events in order of likelihood of occurrence. If the event is low on the list, less resources will be allocated to prevent or mitigate the effects of this particular event. This doesn't mean that it will be ignored. A fully operational system will have plans in place for dealing with every imaginable event.

Pre-planning means identifying the risk events and preparing action plans for reducing the effects of the event to the lowest possible level. Setting up management structures is just part of the operation. Each individual involved must know precisely what their responsibility is and under what circumstances they should take action.

In addition to planning for actions and responsibilities if a disaster should occur, the plans should include activities that are devoted to ensuring that the negative events don't occur. This might include different types of monitoring systems. It may also result in additional or upgraded security systems being put into place. Materials are constantly being developed to help in structural integrity and longevity of moving parts as well as for the infrastructure.

Preparation and training, as well as the defined level of responsibility can be helpful even if the event is relatively mild. The concepts and principles carry over into other scenarios, even those that were not planned for precisely. The constant upgrading of training will allow the most possible individuals to be prepared.

No one wants to worry about negative events and disasters that could occur. Some things are not preventable. But, when a disaster of any kind or level occurs, it helps to know exactly what the organization will be doing. In the past many of the disasters have created havoc amongst the people involved, simply because of lack of preparedness. The regulations included within the broad framework of pipeline integrity management will help individuals and companies to prepare for likely eventualities.

A Quick Look At Pipeline Integrity Management

By: haydenlavelle

POST COMMENT

Cymbalta For Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Depression And Pain Management Time Management For Attorneys - The Key To Improved Time Management The Truth About Debt Management Find Superior ERP Management In Canada At Plan ERP Training in Project Management and Leadership 7 Right Money Management Princples Best hotel management institute Selecting The Right Employee Management System E-learning management system in India Web Cms For The Better Management Of Your Work Flows Do you Track Your Pay per Click Management Services Results? The Benefits Of A Debt Management Plan Finding The Right Debt Management Companies