Introduction to Pipeline Technology

Introduction

Oil and Gas from field production plants are transported to petroleum refineries; petrochemical and chemical plants; power plants and terminals by cross country pipelines. Pipelines have been the backbone energy transport infrastructure in many regions of the world for many decades now and this situation will most likely continue into the future.

The pipeline industry is capital intensive and subject to extreme public scrutiny and regulatory pressures. The safety and mechanical integrity of these pipelines are of paramount importance because they may traverse populated areas and also because of the need for continuity of supply of oil and gas to processing facilities.

Pipelines are the safest and most efficient means of transporting crude oil and natural gas from producing fields to refineries and processing plants and of distributing petroleum products and natural gas to the consumer, as witnessed by the few recorded incidents of fatality or injury despite the millions of kilometres of pipelines in use world-wide. However, even the best designed and maintained pipeline will be subjected to degradation and may become defective over time as it progresses through its design life. Consequently, operators should be aware of the effect these defects will have on their pipeline, and must effectively assess their significance in terms of the continuing integrity of the pipeline.

Ensuring the long-term integrity of pipelines requires a clear understanding of the degradation and damage mechanisms that a pipeline may be subjected to coupled with a systematic approach to pipeline inspection and maintenance that embodies proven management processes and the judicious application of industry best practices. Industry standards such as API 1160 and ASME B31.8S represent the starting point for a range of best practices that are available to all pipeline operators.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of oil and gas pipeline systems which integrates the hydraulic and mechanical design, operations & maintenance, and the all important safety and integrity aspects of these pipeline systems.