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.
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