Defect Assessment in Pipelines

February 11, 2008
7:30am	Registration & coffee
8:00am-4:45pm	Course
February 12, 2008
8:00am-4:45pm	Course

Organized in association with Penspen Integrity

"Through this required program...an operator must evaluate all defects and...
develop a schedule that prioritizes the defects for evaluation and repair."
—from the Final DOT Rule: Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas

Many transmission pipelines are now over 20 years old. This is "middle aged" in pipeline terms, and even the best designed and maintained pipeline will become defective as it progresses through its design life. Therefore, operators need to be aware of the effect these defects will have on their pipeline, and — more importantly — be able to assess their significance in terms of the continuing integrity of the pipeline. The increasing use of high-technology maintenance (for example, intelligent pigs) is helping pipeline owners to assess the condition of their lines, and if these modern maintenance methods are combined with modern defect-assessment methods, they can provide a very powerful, and cost-effective, tool. This course will present the latest defect-assessment methods to pipeline engineers and managers. These methods will range from simple, quick, assessment methods, to the more-detailed —fitness for purpose— analysis. The course is highly interactive and takes the form of lectures, workshops, and case studies.

Course Objectives

The course will cover methods available to assess the significance of defects detected in onshore and offshore pipelines. It will introduce simple analytical methods used to assess internal and external corrosion, dents and gouges, cracks (e.g. SCC), weld defects, and fatigue. The course is unique as it is a holistic approach to defect assessment, and it ensures the student appreciates all aspects of the subject, including repair and risk management.

Who Should Attend

Pipeline engineers, designers and service professionals who are involved with the maintenance, inspection, and repair of pipelines.

Course Notes

All delegates will receive a detailed set of lecture notes totaling more than 1100 pages, providing an invaluable reference document.

Continuing Education Units

Upon completion of the course, participants will be eligible to receive 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Lecturer

Professor Phil Hopkins has more than 26 years’ experience in pipeline engineering, and is Technical Director with Penspen Integrity and Visiting Professor of Engineering at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He has worked with most of the major oil and gas companies and pipeline companies around the world, providing consultancy on management, business, design, maintenance, inspection, risk analysis and safety, and failure investigations. He is the past-chairman of the Executive Committee of the ASME Pipeline Systems Division and has served on many other professional committees, including the British Standards Institution, European Pipeline Research Group, the American Gas Association’s Pipeline Research Committee, and the DNV Pipeline Committee. More than 1700 engineers and technical personnel around the world have attended his Pipeline Defect Assessment and Pipeline Integrity-related courses.