Pipeline inspections Gauges, or pigs, are extremely important to the pipeline industry. These are the devices that keep pipelines clean, safe, and efficient by removing debris, allowing hydrostatic testing, controlling corrosion, chemically cleaning, and locating imperfections such as dents or buckles. Without these tools, the productivity of our network of pipeline transportation would be far lower as well as more costly.
Following the construction of a pipeline, the line must be rid of any debris from the process, such as tools, welding icicles, etc. This will not be the only time a pig will be used for this purpose. Pipelines require regular servicing to maintain efficiency and control corrosion. As time goes by, it may even be necessary to use a PIG for a chemical cleaning of the pipeline. There must be no obstacles or obstructions within a pipeline. Any resistance may cause a multitude of problems.
PIGs are also used for hydrostatic testing which involves filling the pipeline with water to test the seals and pressure tolerance. This is an extremely important test regarding pipeline safety. If the pipeline as the potential to leak, it is in this phase it will be discovered. A PIG must also be used to remove the water or any testing material from the pipe.
The geometric integrity of a pipe can be studied using PIGs, as well as the level of corrosion or metal loss within a pipeline. When pipelines are used to transport more than one type of fuel, PIGs are utilized to separate those products and clean the way for the next product such as a different gasoline grade or fuel type.
As you might imagine, there are several categories of PIGs that are used for various jobs. The PIG that is used for cleaning debris is not usually the same PIG used to check for dents or imperfections. The three major categories of PIGs include conventional, geometric, and ILI (In Line Inspection) tools. ILI PIGs test for corrosion and metal loss, while geometric PIGs check for dents and blemishes. The most common, or conventional, PIGs are used for routine cleaning and testing seals.
Pigging technology has increased productivity and safety of pipeline transportation. As pipelines increase in their complexity, so more PIGs must be developed to maintain and support them. Without the ability to check run multiple materials, or clean debris without digging up pipeline, the entire industry would be simply cost ineffective, and the price of all fuel would be much more incredible. PIGs and pipeline provide the transportation we need to continue to fuel our industries, our homes, and our economy.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Pipeline Challenges: Unpiggable Lines
Pipeline development history is short and fast. The technology as increased faster than new crews could be trained or new materials produced, and as a result, much of the currently used pipeline network is not necessarily up to date. The infrastructure continues to change due to fuel prices, technology, and construction methods. It is an industry wide challenge to continually maintain pipelines and upgrade to newer technology so that future inspections are easily conducted.
Subsea development has increased dramatically in recent decades, which is very difficult in terms of inspection. Pipelines of production flow as well as other field pipelines lack launcher/receiver facilities for the entire section of pipe. Pipeline inspection vessels must be deployed to inspect the length of the pipeline, which is very costly. Those lines designed with PIGS, or Pipeline Inspection Gages, are much more cost effective to inspect, so the challenge is converting the lines previously laid. As you might imagine, inspection is not only a challenge for these offshore pipelines, but also for all older subterranean pipes.
Refinery pipelines are another challenging example of "unpiggable" lines. There are so many difficult factors when inspecting these pipelines and updating them for future inspection. Problems associated with casings, flow lines, j-tubes, and risers are just to name a few. Because of new regulations and code requirements, companies and their engineers are concentrating on investigating these older lines, but that is not the only reason. It is simply cost prohibitive not to perform extensive inspections for smaller pipeline companies such as Western Pipeline Corporation. The cost of a single spill will far outweigh the cost of inspecting every pipeline.
Though the technology necessary to inspect unpiggable pipelines varies depending on the location, new more cost effective solutions are developing. There are now external ultrasonic testing methods, corrosion mapping, NDT, and even internal systems available. Internal systems basically consist of free swimming PIGs connected by an umbilical tube that propels itself inside a pipeline. This free moving inspection gauge prevents the need to remove soil, rock, or coating, thus it is fairly cost effective. Unlike the traditional PIG, it actually gauges pressure through its own internal pumps rather than through the pipeline.
Companies and regulating bodies alike are working hard to solve the challenges of the shifting pipeline infrastructure, and the curve is continuing to move up. It is not a bad thing that the United States has the oldest and most complicated pipeline network, but it does make for some interesting problem solving issues as times change.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Subsea development has increased dramatically in recent decades, which is very difficult in terms of inspection. Pipelines of production flow as well as other field pipelines lack launcher/receiver facilities for the entire section of pipe. Pipeline inspection vessels must be deployed to inspect the length of the pipeline, which is very costly. Those lines designed with PIGS, or Pipeline Inspection Gages, are much more cost effective to inspect, so the challenge is converting the lines previously laid. As you might imagine, inspection is not only a challenge for these offshore pipelines, but also for all older subterranean pipes.
Refinery pipelines are another challenging example of "unpiggable" lines. There are so many difficult factors when inspecting these pipelines and updating them for future inspection. Problems associated with casings, flow lines, j-tubes, and risers are just to name a few. Because of new regulations and code requirements, companies and their engineers are concentrating on investigating these older lines, but that is not the only reason. It is simply cost prohibitive not to perform extensive inspections for smaller pipeline companies such as Western Pipeline Corporation. The cost of a single spill will far outweigh the cost of inspecting every pipeline.
Though the technology necessary to inspect unpiggable pipelines varies depending on the location, new more cost effective solutions are developing. There are now external ultrasonic testing methods, corrosion mapping, NDT, and even internal systems available. Internal systems basically consist of free swimming PIGs connected by an umbilical tube that propels itself inside a pipeline. This free moving inspection gauge prevents the need to remove soil, rock, or coating, thus it is fairly cost effective. Unlike the traditional PIG, it actually gauges pressure through its own internal pumps rather than through the pipeline.
Companies and regulating bodies alike are working hard to solve the challenges of the shifting pipeline infrastructure, and the curve is continuing to move up. It is not a bad thing that the United States has the oldest and most complicated pipeline network, but it does make for some interesting problem solving issues as times change.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Market Solutions for Climate Change
In an age when environmental awareness is really beginning to take hold in federal government and private industry, so many factors must be considered in the effort to reduce the global emissions of green house gasses. There is much deliberation within the government on this subject, including the evaluation of potential economic risks or possible consumer hardships that may come from the wrong approach to solving the problem. The Natural Gas Supply Association, or NGSA, encourages massive voluntary efforts of problem solving regardless of governmental policy decisions, such as targets for reducing emissions as well as enhancements in technology.
The NGSA plans to focus on such policy discussions that involve more stationary emissions, which is a completely separate issue apart from mobile emission efficiency. It also claims to support the policies devised by the American Petroleum Institute, regarding the prevention of any damage to the economy that may occur due to ineffective policies or unrealistic goals. The most dramatic affect the natural gas industry can create is by pipeline companies, such as western pipeline corporation, continuing to supply clean-burning natural gas and constantly increase exploration and production efficiency. This strategy is very similar to the current strategy, which is based on demand and competition. Because natural gas is such an efficient and clean fuel source, the capitalistic drive of private companies should naturally improve our greenhouse gas situation.
Other initiatives involving the industry will insure our progress in climate change. The NGSA suggests that a global coordination, creating an international market flow, will increase the efficiency and supply of natural gas. Also, a consistency of standards and goals should be established nationally. It is the belief of the NGSA that there must also be more natural resource access, to prevent a cost inflation as the price of natural gas increases. Basically, the NGSA would like to see market based solutions to insure the protection of the consumer as well as the climate. Any regulations that stifle the industry to0 much and too soon are liable to hurt consumers in the pocketbooks and crash the economy.
In the past, the federal government as found market solutions to be the best solution to natural gas regulation. Encouragement from the government for new technology, and incentives for further efficiency are more likely positively impact the industry. Existing regulations should remain consistent, while market incentives for emission reduction increase. It may eventually be determined that the efficiency emission becomes the principle factor rather than actual fuel production.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
The NGSA plans to focus on such policy discussions that involve more stationary emissions, which is a completely separate issue apart from mobile emission efficiency. It also claims to support the policies devised by the American Petroleum Institute, regarding the prevention of any damage to the economy that may occur due to ineffective policies or unrealistic goals. The most dramatic affect the natural gas industry can create is by pipeline companies, such as western pipeline corporation, continuing to supply clean-burning natural gas and constantly increase exploration and production efficiency. This strategy is very similar to the current strategy, which is based on demand and competition. Because natural gas is such an efficient and clean fuel source, the capitalistic drive of private companies should naturally improve our greenhouse gas situation.
Other initiatives involving the industry will insure our progress in climate change. The NGSA suggests that a global coordination, creating an international market flow, will increase the efficiency and supply of natural gas. Also, a consistency of standards and goals should be established nationally. It is the belief of the NGSA that there must also be more natural resource access, to prevent a cost inflation as the price of natural gas increases. Basically, the NGSA would like to see market based solutions to insure the protection of the consumer as well as the climate. Any regulations that stifle the industry to0 much and too soon are liable to hurt consumers in the pocketbooks and crash the economy.
In the past, the federal government as found market solutions to be the best solution to natural gas regulation. Encouragement from the government for new technology, and incentives for further efficiency are more likely positively impact the industry. Existing regulations should remain consistent, while market incentives for emission reduction increase. It may eventually be determined that the efficiency emission becomes the principle factor rather than actual fuel production.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Monday, July 23, 2007
History of Piping Natural Gas
Natural gas has become one of the most efficient and clean energy resources on the planet, but not without the help of human innovation. The precious natural resource is an excellent energy source for so many different things due to a long history of utilizing natural gas.
For most of the 1800's, the primary use of natural gas was to fuel street lamps, providing light for night transportation. Because there was no real way to transport natural gas over long distances, street lamps were among the few things that could be fueled by gas, but in the late 1920's, piping technology began to advance. Previously, pipelines were poor in quality with bad joint technology, and they were used primarily for transporting water, sewage, or other materials that are not extremely pressure sensitive. In the '20s and '30s, pipeline technology took a turn for the better, and a larger transportation network began. Once a reliable pipeline system was created, the demand for natural gas grew exponentially in residential, industrial, and electric utility markets.
As in all industries, the higher the demand and more money involved, the more regulation needed. In 1938, the federal government passed the Natural Gas Act to regulate the price of natural gas. Lawmakers felt that the natural gas industry would quickly become a monopoly in the absence of regulation. At the same time, the federal government established an incentive program for investing in pipeline construction. This was created to insure the quality of a national network of pipeline. Certain regions were given to individual natural gas companies with exclusive license for pipeline development. This gave companies a vested interest in quickly establishing an efficient transportation system. The Supreme Court later made a ruling to regulate wellhead prices as well in 1954.
Many of these regulations and incentives have changed dramatically due to natural gas shortages in the 1970's. Interestingly enough, the federal government believed that price regulations were stifling companies and putting the industry at risk, and they were right. During the '80s and '90s, natural gas price regulations fall away, introducing more competition into the market. Remarkable, the supply of natural gas increased dramatically, and the prices actually fell. A capitalistic market actually stabilized the industry through dynamic competition. This was also partly responsible for a great deal of technological advances in natural gas location, extraction, and pipeline transportation. This increased efficiency continues to lower the cost of natural gas will the demand continues to support individual drilling and pipeline companies like Western Pipeline Corporation.
In 1990, the Clean Air Act Amendments challenged the fossil fuel industry in general, and greatly increased the demand for natural gas. Natural gas is now utilized by more than a billion customers in the United States. This once simple street lighting fuel has become one of the cleanest most efficient fuel sources on our planet, and it will continue to greatly impact the future history of human civilization.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
For most of the 1800's, the primary use of natural gas was to fuel street lamps, providing light for night transportation. Because there was no real way to transport natural gas over long distances, street lamps were among the few things that could be fueled by gas, but in the late 1920's, piping technology began to advance. Previously, pipelines were poor in quality with bad joint technology, and they were used primarily for transporting water, sewage, or other materials that are not extremely pressure sensitive. In the '20s and '30s, pipeline technology took a turn for the better, and a larger transportation network began. Once a reliable pipeline system was created, the demand for natural gas grew exponentially in residential, industrial, and electric utility markets.
As in all industries, the higher the demand and more money involved, the more regulation needed. In 1938, the federal government passed the Natural Gas Act to regulate the price of natural gas. Lawmakers felt that the natural gas industry would quickly become a monopoly in the absence of regulation. At the same time, the federal government established an incentive program for investing in pipeline construction. This was created to insure the quality of a national network of pipeline. Certain regions were given to individual natural gas companies with exclusive license for pipeline development. This gave companies a vested interest in quickly establishing an efficient transportation system. The Supreme Court later made a ruling to regulate wellhead prices as well in 1954.
Many of these regulations and incentives have changed dramatically due to natural gas shortages in the 1970's. Interestingly enough, the federal government believed that price regulations were stifling companies and putting the industry at risk, and they were right. During the '80s and '90s, natural gas price regulations fall away, introducing more competition into the market. Remarkable, the supply of natural gas increased dramatically, and the prices actually fell. A capitalistic market actually stabilized the industry through dynamic competition. This was also partly responsible for a great deal of technological advances in natural gas location, extraction, and pipeline transportation. This increased efficiency continues to lower the cost of natural gas will the demand continues to support individual drilling and pipeline companies like Western Pipeline Corporation.
In 1990, the Clean Air Act Amendments challenged the fossil fuel industry in general, and greatly increased the demand for natural gas. Natural gas is now utilized by more than a billion customers in the United States. This once simple street lighting fuel has become one of the cleanest most efficient fuel sources on our planet, and it will continue to greatly impact the future history of human civilization.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Federal Interest in Pipeline Safety
In 2003, the United States Department of Transportation issued grants to three major entities, engaged in safety oriented pipeline improvement projects. This was an over $500K increase from the previous years investments, totaling at $5.8 million. The Department of Transportation is dedicated to the safety and efficiency of our nations pipeline transport system, and saw an investment in pipeline safety research for both public and private sectors very important. This effort was intended to strengthen our citizens' confidence in the safety and security of the pipeline industry. In fact, the previous year, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act was issued for the similar purpose of insuring safe pipeline operations in the future through the cultivation of new innovative technologies.
This Act and the 2003 grants followed a previous set of awards the Dept. of Transportation, DOT, issued to enhance pipeline controls, operations, and monitoring solutions. These previous grants included a $627,000 pipeline related funding project and three other broad agency announcements for pipeline research and development, resulting in approximately $2.8 million awarded to 13 different research endeavors. The private pipeline industry then matched those awards by providing $3 million for future research and development.
The RSPA branch of the DOT issued awards for its third BAA in September of 2003 for projects focus on improving pipeline materials and prolonging the lifetime of previously installed pipeline systems. This covered a large variety of components and materials that might be enhanced. The awards in 2003 included the Battelle Corporation of Columbus, OH, to estimate the value of current pipeline construction, the CC Technologies of Cublin, OH, to create guidelines for pipeline operators, and the FINO AG of Hildesheim, Germany, to improve the current pipeline inspection system for "pigless," small diameter pipelines. These are extremely brief and summarized descriptions of these awarded research and development projects, but they lend a general idea of federal interests in the safety and efficiency of our national pipeline network.
The Federal Department of Transportation RSPA is responsible for the safety of our pipeline system, controlling the transport of hazardous fuels to consumers and industrial locations around the country. It is in the interest of private companies such as Western Pipeline Corporation, and in the interest of the public to have rapid response for pipeline emergencies, advanced training for pipeline professionals, and the best in applied technologies and sciences to increase the efficiency and safety of the pipeline transportation system.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
This Act and the 2003 grants followed a previous set of awards the Dept. of Transportation, DOT, issued to enhance pipeline controls, operations, and monitoring solutions. These previous grants included a $627,000 pipeline related funding project and three other broad agency announcements for pipeline research and development, resulting in approximately $2.8 million awarded to 13 different research endeavors. The private pipeline industry then matched those awards by providing $3 million for future research and development.
The RSPA branch of the DOT issued awards for its third BAA in September of 2003 for projects focus on improving pipeline materials and prolonging the lifetime of previously installed pipeline systems. This covered a large variety of components and materials that might be enhanced. The awards in 2003 included the Battelle Corporation of Columbus, OH, to estimate the value of current pipeline construction, the CC Technologies of Cublin, OH, to create guidelines for pipeline operators, and the FINO AG of Hildesheim, Germany, to improve the current pipeline inspection system for "pigless," small diameter pipelines. These are extremely brief and summarized descriptions of these awarded research and development projects, but they lend a general idea of federal interests in the safety and efficiency of our national pipeline network.
The Federal Department of Transportation RSPA is responsible for the safety of our pipeline system, controlling the transport of hazardous fuels to consumers and industrial locations around the country. It is in the interest of private companies such as Western Pipeline Corporation, and in the interest of the public to have rapid response for pipeline emergencies, advanced training for pipeline professionals, and the best in applied technologies and sciences to increase the efficiency and safety of the pipeline transportation system.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Coal VS Natural Gas
Both Natural Gas and Coal are used largely to produce electricity, an energy that is used in such a wide variety of ways by our civilization. As we progress in our industrial development, humans are beginning to notice our effects on our surround environment more and more. For this reason, finding the most efficient fuel sources with the lowest carbon dioxide emission is becoming for of a goal. Coal combustion is an older model for producing electricity and has provided power to our homes abundantly for decades, but natural gas is far more efficient.
The megawatt hour expresses the consistent emissions of carbon versus the amount of electricity that is generated, and newer combined cycle generators have a much better megawatt hour using natural gas than that of coal plants. Every fossil fuel from coal, to oil, to natural gas contains carbon. There is no known method to combust these hydrocarbons without emitting carbon dioxide. It is not just that natural gas puts off less carbon. Really, it simply produces more electricity. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted from a single megawatt hour, or MMBtu, is 40% less than a coal MMBtu. Every fossil fuel from coal, to oil, to natural gas contains carbon. There is no known method to combust these hydrocarbons without emitting carbon dioxide.
Also, natural gas has almost no emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide due to an absence of precursors in natural gas as well as strict gas plant controls. Gas fired power generation produces less than .1 tons of mercury per year while coal burning plants account for 50 tones of mercury. Though this is still a low number, mercury is an extremely harmful substance that can damage brain cells and cause other health problems, even in small doses. Sulfur dioxide is usually created during the combustion process due to the existence of sulfur in coal and other fuels. The presence of sulfur in coal and liquid fuels is close to 4 percent while the presence of sulfur in natural gas is less than one 1/110th of a percent. For this reason, SO2 emissions from natural gas are very negligible. Nitrogen Oxides have less to do with the nitrogen levels in different fuels, and more to do with the actual process of combustion. Natural gas has lower nitrogen oxide emissions because it is combustible with more efficient techniques that are more amenable to low nitrogen oxides.
Natural gas is a more versatile fossil fuel that produces more energy. New technologies continue to improve the emissions of natural gas while coal seems to constantly struggle to meat current standards. Western Pipeline Corporation is one of many companies increasing the transport of natural gas to increase energy and lower emissions. The coming demands of our civilization will depend on the production of fuels like natural gas.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
The megawatt hour expresses the consistent emissions of carbon versus the amount of electricity that is generated, and newer combined cycle generators have a much better megawatt hour using natural gas than that of coal plants. Every fossil fuel from coal, to oil, to natural gas contains carbon. There is no known method to combust these hydrocarbons without emitting carbon dioxide. It is not just that natural gas puts off less carbon. Really, it simply produces more electricity. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted from a single megawatt hour, or MMBtu, is 40% less than a coal MMBtu. Every fossil fuel from coal, to oil, to natural gas contains carbon. There is no known method to combust these hydrocarbons without emitting carbon dioxide.
Also, natural gas has almost no emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide due to an absence of precursors in natural gas as well as strict gas plant controls. Gas fired power generation produces less than .1 tons of mercury per year while coal burning plants account for 50 tones of mercury. Though this is still a low number, mercury is an extremely harmful substance that can damage brain cells and cause other health problems, even in small doses. Sulfur dioxide is usually created during the combustion process due to the existence of sulfur in coal and other fuels. The presence of sulfur in coal and liquid fuels is close to 4 percent while the presence of sulfur in natural gas is less than one 1/110th of a percent. For this reason, SO2 emissions from natural gas are very negligible. Nitrogen Oxides have less to do with the nitrogen levels in different fuels, and more to do with the actual process of combustion. Natural gas has lower nitrogen oxide emissions because it is combustible with more efficient techniques that are more amenable to low nitrogen oxides.
Natural gas is a more versatile fossil fuel that produces more energy. New technologies continue to improve the emissions of natural gas while coal seems to constantly struggle to meat current standards. Western Pipeline Corporation is one of many companies increasing the transport of natural gas to increase energy and lower emissions. The coming demands of our civilization will depend on the production of fuels like natural gas.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Pipeline Welding
Pipeline welding is a process that must be executed with precision. Lives and investments must be protected from any kind of leakage or accident that any activity involving oil or natural gas is prone to produce. Because these fuels are highly flammable and toxic to our health, the joints must be welded within strict governmental specifications. Thankfully, pipeline companies, western pipeline corporation included, are dedicated to the safety and efficiency of their pipelines to ensure safety.
Once a pipeline trench has been dug along the right of way, the pipe sections are temporarily supported along the side of it and aligned together. Pipes are then lifted by specialized pipeline rigs, known as side booms. These machines lift, support, and align each pipe to the next piece through the first pass of each welding. The welding itself is controlled by extremely strict specifications. Semiautomatic and automatic procedures are required, and on larger projects, no manual welding is used at all. The pipeline sections must obviously be welded into one continuous length with now room for leakage, so as part of quality assurance, each welder is required to pass qualification tests to work in particular jobs, and every weld job must be approved under federal welding standards.
The qualification process for a welder occurs before a project starts. Every welder under consideration for a new project must weld the same type of pipe that will be used in the project, completing several flawless welds. Each of these welds is evaluated under a test of force. The weld is put under extreme pressure to measure what is required to pull the weld apart. The requirements are so intense, that the weld must actually be stronger than the actual pipeline.
On the pipeline construction site, quality assurance continues upmost scrutiny. A dark room with qualified X-Ray technicians examines pictures that were taken of the various welds to guarantee federal quality standards. X-Ray technicians process the film inside the portable dark room and if any flaws are perceived, the weld must be repaired or destroyed. New innovations with ultrasound technology are bringing new possibilities to weld examination.
The art of welding is at its finest in the oil and natural gas pipeline industry. Government regulations along with intense private interests protect pipelines from malfunction or defect and keep our communities and environment safe. Becoming a pipeline welder is a prestigious level of the metal working industry, requiring precision and perfection.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
Once a pipeline trench has been dug along the right of way, the pipe sections are temporarily supported along the side of it and aligned together. Pipes are then lifted by specialized pipeline rigs, known as side booms. These machines lift, support, and align each pipe to the next piece through the first pass of each welding. The welding itself is controlled by extremely strict specifications. Semiautomatic and automatic procedures are required, and on larger projects, no manual welding is used at all. The pipeline sections must obviously be welded into one continuous length with now room for leakage, so as part of quality assurance, each welder is required to pass qualification tests to work in particular jobs, and every weld job must be approved under federal welding standards.
The qualification process for a welder occurs before a project starts. Every welder under consideration for a new project must weld the same type of pipe that will be used in the project, completing several flawless welds. Each of these welds is evaluated under a test of force. The weld is put under extreme pressure to measure what is required to pull the weld apart. The requirements are so intense, that the weld must actually be stronger than the actual pipeline.
On the pipeline construction site, quality assurance continues upmost scrutiny. A dark room with qualified X-Ray technicians examines pictures that were taken of the various welds to guarantee federal quality standards. X-Ray technicians process the film inside the portable dark room and if any flaws are perceived, the weld must be repaired or destroyed. New innovations with ultrasound technology are bringing new possibilities to weld examination.
The art of welding is at its finest in the oil and natural gas pipeline industry. Government regulations along with intense private interests protect pipelines from malfunction or defect and keep our communities and environment safe. Becoming a pipeline welder is a prestigious level of the metal working industry, requiring precision and perfection.
About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp is a successful, private independent producer of oil and natural gas.
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