Below the surface strength: The key to pipeline integrity management

With the aging of the energy infrastructure across broad regions and the ongoing expansion of pipeline networks, management of pipeline integrity has become a focal point for the safe and reliable operation of pipelines. This field is dedicated to making sure that the pipes that carry oil, gas and other dangerous substances are sound throughout their lifespan and environmentally secure. At the heart of it, integrity pipeline management consists of a continuous process of pipeline system monitoring, evaluation and maintenance. Potential threats, such as corrosion, mechanical damage or material fatigue, can be detected and dealt with long before growing into serious failures by the means of advanced inspection technologies like smart pigs, ultrasonic testing, aerial surveillance, and so on. But pipeline integrity goes beyond just technical inspections. It contains analytics, risk modelling, and proactive maintenance scheduling. Today’s operators are leveraging machine learning and p...