Effects of poor pipeline maintainance

O&G. What are the knock-on effects for industry if pipelines are not effectively maintained? Left unchecked, what scenario could companies be facing in the future?

Industry is at a point of no return, a no win situation. Politically nor economically can they afford to shut down or create a negative environmental impact. I suspect that a huge thrust will be taken in the near future to increase inspection, improve monitoring, and make needed preventative repairs.

O&G. What solutions are now available to make maintenance and monitoring easier? Are they simple to implement?

The new ASME Post Construction Standard has several helpful Articles. An example is Article 4.1, Non-metallic Composite Repair Systems for Pipelines and Pipework: High Risk Applications, which will make repairs easier. This standard defines how a qualified fiber reinforced, thermoset resin composite, may be used for the repair of corroded or damaged pipe. This is often a lower cost and more expedient repair than previous methods.

O&G. Are there any technologies in the R&D phase that show promise over the next few years? Is there a danger companies could rely too much on IT and sacrifice rigorous staff training and a more skilled workforce?

As a result of the new standard, there has been and will continue to be, a great deal of research for the use of composites. There is also some leading edge technology for self-monitoring of pipelines.

O&G. What lessons do you think have been learned from Prudhoe Bay and do you think this will spur more R&D spending into new technologies/materials to improve pipeline shelf life?

Industry cannot afford to postpone comprehensive inspection and maintenance programs. The political impact of what happened at Prudhoe Bay is far greater on the industry than can immediately be measured in dollars.