PSA Norway to Host Seminar with Focus on Pipeline Integrity from a Systems Perspective

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway​ (PSA) is hosting a seminar at its premises in Stavanger on Wednesday 19 October 2011 concerning pipelines and risers – both rigid and flexible. The focus will be on pipeline integrity from a systems perspective.

Pipelines and risers have been used for many decades on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), in the rest of the North Sea and internationally to transport hydrocarbons from well to installation, directly to shore, and between various installations and land-based facilities.

Steel pipelines and risers are constructed in a familiar and robust material, with good control of deterioration mechanisms and failure modes.

Flexible pipelines and risers are a product comprising several layers and materials. Their structure is more complicated, they are basically less robust to damage and load, they provide few or no direct inspection opportunities, and their failure modes are not all equally well known.

Pipeline systems are also tied back to subsea and surface installations and/or facilities on land. In that context, it is important to consider the whole system when examining its safety and integrity, and to take account of every interface regardless of the physical positions, companies, disciplines, norms and standards involved.

A number of possible failure modes exist for a pipeline system, from planning, through installation and operation, to possible removal. Many years of experience have provided more detailed understanding of failure mechanisms related to these systems, but room for improvement still exists – particularly for systems thinking and integrity, interfaces, quality, technology qualification, learning and sharing of experience, and failure modes.

The PSA has paid particular attention in recent years to barriers, management and major accidents, and the natural environment. In that context, pipelines and risers have been closely monitored. The agency has also been involved in the development of standards and in joint industry projects (JIPs) which have looked at design, installation, operation, maintenance, commercial life and integrity management.

The purpose of the seminar is to enhance general knowledge about systems thinking and integrity for pipeline systems, and to share experience in the industry. Attention will be concentrated primarily on systems and integrated thinking, from planning and design to operation and removal, and from well to surface installation/land.

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Source: Ptil,September 13, 2011;