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What are you doing with all that data?

The subject of a talk entitled “Regulatory Developments for Pipeline Record Keeping” , delivered recently by W.R. (Bill) Byrd at the 2011 POD’s user’s conference really caught my attention and I think raises an interesting question;  What are you doing with all that data? Every year Pipeline operators run ILI tools to detect and measure corrosion, dents and other anomalies.  They collect copious amounts of data and conduct mitigation activities in an effort meet regulations and maintain the integrity of their pipeline system.  If you are a pipeline engineer responsible for the pipeline integrity maintenance program of a liquid or gas pipeline it’s critical that you ask this question.  Are you systematically collecting, categorizing and maintaining your pipeline integrity data in a way that, according to PHMSA, “
shall
 be 
traceable, 
verifiable, and
 complete.”

PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB 11-01 Jan. 4, 2011

“operators 
relying 
on 
the
 review 
of 
design, construction, 
inspection,
 testing
 and
 other 
related data 
to
 calculate 
MAOP
 or
 MOP 
must 
assure 
that the 
records  used 
are 
reliable.
 An
 operator 
must diligently
 search,
 review 
and
 scrutinize 
documents and 
records,
 including
 but 
not 
limited 
to, 
all 
as‐built drawings,
 alignment
 sheets,
 and
 specifications,
 and all 
design,
 construction, 
inspection,
 testing, maintenance,
 manufacturer,
 and 
other
 related records. 
These  records 
shall
 be 
traceable, 
verifiable, and
 complete.”

I met with an ILI consultant recently who told a story of a French Pipeline Operator who called to inquire about having an ILI inspection done, as per regulator requirements, following a massive failure resulting in loss of life.  The ILI vendor reported that they already had a record of a previous tool run and would they like that.  The tragedy is that the feature that caused the rupture was identified in the previous run and could easily have been prevented had proper record keeping been maintained.

This is perhaps an extreme example however a much more common occurrence is the excavation of sites that have been previously inspected and mitigated.  Over the years we have excavated numerous sites only to find a sleeve.  We’ve also seen ILI logs with the wrong pipe specs that wouldn’t have been detected unless we had taken the time to compare and verify the accuracy and completeness of the data.  Doesn’t it make sense to take some time and, as recommended by the NTSB to PG&E  “aggressively and diligently search documents and records relating to pipeline system components, such as pipe segments, valves, fittings, and weld seams…” I would add to this list all the records outlined in the PHMSA advisory.  A thorough review of this data prior to commencing a dig program could result in a much more effective program where you spend your budget investigating the areas of highest risk.