Pipeline Integrity
Pipeline operators engage in many activities to ensure the integrity of the systems they operate and to protect the safety of the communities in which they are located. Some of these activities include:
- Design the strength and thickness of the steel or plastic to adhere to or exceed stringent safety standards
- Install protective covering to prevent damage to the pipeline
- Apply cathodic protection to safeguard the steel from external corrosion
- Inject corrosion inhibitors into the pipeline to prevent corrosion from occurring internally
- X-ray the welds of pipe connections to examine for any possible defects or cracks
- Via computerized system, monitor the pressure and flow of the commodity being transported
- Schedule regular cleanings of the inside of the pipe with the use of an internal device
- Clear the right-of-way to make it possible to monitor the pipeline’s route
- Patrol the right-of-way regularly to check for any signs of a leak or encroachment
- Conduct testing to confirm the integrity of the pipe before the line becomes operational
- Evaluate the risks posed to the pipeline under different operating conditions
- Coat the pipeline to prevent corrosion