Integrity will remain a pipe dream

Sometimes, looking back can help you figure out the best way to move forward. Independent research shows that up to 43% of industrial hydrocarbon events that led to a loss of containment were caused by mechanical integrity failures. Also, up to 70% of all mechanical integrity problems were caused by corrosion on the inside or outside of process pipes.

Mechanical integrity is about making sure that important process equipment is designed and installed correctly and that it works and is maintained correctly. This is one of the pillars of PSM, which stands for Process Safety Management. Corrosion-related risk assessments are still needed, and the help of the people who do them is becoming more and more important. Managing building materials becomes very important, especially for pipes or equipment that are insulated. Design and operating temperatures, process considerations, insulation types, pipe geometry and location, and/or equipment and application considerations are all important factors in choosing a coating. Up to 40% of the fixed equipment and pipes on a factory site can be insulated. 

When making decisions, you should think about how these systems have worked in the past. Each process scenario has a lot of different factors, so getting as much information as possible can help evaluate the system. In addition to what has already been said, knowing the country of application, the type of application, whether the system will be installed in a shop or in the field, and other things can help shape the overall picture of what to expect from the service life. In this field, carboline solutions include epoxy, phenolic, and flake-filled inorganic coatings. 

Pipelines: just a pipe dream or the end of the road?

In the near to medium term, oil and gas infrastructure will be very important because of the gradual move toward greener energy. This will bring new fuel types and new challenges for pipeline engineers as time goes on. But in the long run, what will happen? We have to ask, “Is this the end of pipelines?” because the public is paying more attention to how new projects affect the environment and whether or not they are possible. Oil and gas have long been moved around the world through a vast network of pipelines..

How do oil leaks from pipelines compare to each other?

Even though there have been a few high-profile accidents, it is important to note that almost all relevant factors, such as environmental impact and worker safety, show that moving oil and gas through pipelines is safer than moving similar amounts by rail or road Fraser Institute. Countries with less rail and road infrastructure have a much bigger gap between the two.

Is the apex the last stop?

After World War II, engineering and technology made it possible to build pipelines that were longer, bigger, and safer. This led to a huge growth in the number of pipelines. These works of engineering are now an important part of the infrastructure of everyday life. Many big pipeline systems are getting close to the end of their design lives, and the different interests of the many people who have an interest in them make it hard.