OPS Observations, Expectations, and Concerns

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OPS Observations, Expectations, and Concerns

• Zach Barrett (OPS)
• Direct Assessment Workshop
• November 4, 2003

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Observations

• Not Always Practical To Inline Inspect
• Small Diameter Lines
• Telescoping Lines (Storage Fields)
• Short Radius Bends
• Crossover Lines
• Adverse Flow Conditions

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Observations

• Not Always Practical To Pressure Test
• Supply Concerns
• Water Availability and Disposal
• Internal Corrosion Concerns
• No Quantification of Future Corrosion Risk

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The Landscape is Changing

• Individual Cathodic Protection and Coating
  Surveys
• Long History of Operator Use
• Evolving into Direct Assessment
• Formalized Process
• Integration of Data

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The Landscape is Changing

• Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002
• Includes Provisions for Direct Assessment
• Pending Gas Integrity Management Rule
• Includes Direct Assessment

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The Landscape is Changing

• NACE Developing DA Recommended Practices
• RP0502-2002 External Corrosion Final
• Internal Corrosion Dry/Wet Gas
• Stress Corrosion Cracking

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OPS Concerns

• Validation of Direct Assessment Methodology
• Are Standards Appropriate
• Will Direct Assessment Identify Threats to
  Pipeline Integrity
• Repeatability of Process and Results

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OPS Concerns

• Validation of Direct Assessment Methodology
• Establishment Excavation Criteria
• Reassessment Interval Justification

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OPS Concerns

• Indirect Assessment Tool Limitations not well
  Defined (Probability of Detection)
• Important for Tool Selection
• Critical for Setting Reassessment Interval
• Needs Field Validation

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OPS Expectations

• Validation through Direct Assessment Workgroup
  Demonstrations
• Standard Applicability
• Strengths and Limitations of the Methodology
• Improvements to Pipeline Integrity Resulting from
  Direct Assessment

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OPS Concerns

• Consistency in Application of Assessments
• Critical for Repeatability of Results
• Successful Monitoring of Non-excavated
  Indications

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OPS Expectations

• Development of Detailed Process and Documentation
  for
• Direct Assessment Approach
• Staff Contractor Qualifications
• Bases for Key Decisions Criteria
• Employee Contractor Roles

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OPS Concerns

• Data Availability
• DA Requires Complete and Reliable Data
• Data Must Be Acquired Where Lacking
• May Result in Additional Direct Examinations

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OPS Concerns

• Existence of Mature Data Management Processes
• Acquire, Store, Retrieve
• Data Quality - Verification
• Crucial to Effective Data Integration/Analysis

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OPS Expectations

• Development of Effective Data Management System
• Processes and Procedures Key
• Data Collection, Storage, Retrieval
• Data Integration
• Data Quality/Control

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OPS Concerns

• Proper NDT Methods for Direct Assessment
• Important for Effective Data Integration/Analysis
• Crucial for Identifying Proper Preventive or
  Mitigative Actions
• Key to Effective Reassessment Interval

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OPS Expectations

• Development of Effective DA Process and
  Procedures
• Identifies Integrity Threat
• Conservative in Consideration of Full Range of
  Integrity Threats
• Provides Quality Data for Future Analysis

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OPS Concerns

• Timeliness of Standard Development
• Key to Ensuring Quality and Consistency
• Developing for
• ICDA Wet/Dry Still Under Development
• SCCDA Still Under Development

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OPS Expectations

• Standard Development
• Should Follow ECDA Path for Evaluation/Validation
• Update Standards as Experience Demands
• Provide Detailed Guidance Where Appropriate

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Successful Programs

• Establish Detailed Procedures for All Activities
• Data Collection/Management
• Feasibility Determinations
• Definition of Regions
• Indirect Inspection

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Successful Programs

• Establish Detailed Procedures for All Activities
• Data Integration Risk Analysis
• Direct Examination
• Post-Assessment

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Successful Programs

• Procedures Address
• Responsibilities
• Task Identification
• How When Task is Accomplished
• Communication of Task Results
• Records Documentation

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Successful Programs

• Demonstrate Effectiveness
• Aggressive Excavation Criteria
• Data Integration
• Comparisons with Excavation Findings
• Re-assessment Results

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Successful Programs

• Documentation
• Identifies and Provides Justification for
  Assumptions
• Evidences Compliance with Gas IM Rule
• Provides Detailed Explanation When Standards not
  Followed
• Details are Important

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Path Forward

• Continued Participation in DA Demonstration
  Projects
• Continued Support for Standards Development
• Improve from Lessons Learned