Pipeline integrity management process

• US 20060129338A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Company LP (Marathon Petroleum Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Company LLC (Marathon Petroleum Corporation)
• Inventors: Jones, Thomas A., Price, Raymond W., Carr, Douglas T., Feigert, Debra S., Kendrick, Andrew W., Guinn, George L., Hucke, Dennis C., Jones, J. Charles, Stechschulte, Donald J., Ross, Steven T., Melan, Bryan P., Schmits, Nina M., Johnston, Dennis C., Siebold, David E., Turley, Richard D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,263,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/51
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/00 Protection or supervision of installations arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss

Abstract

A method for reducing the consequences and risks of failure in a hydrocarbon pipeline system includes identifying specific segments of pipelines the leakage of which could have an adverse impact on environment or safety, particularly in areas of high consequence, developing a baseline assessment plan for such segments by analyzing information including age, corrosion, and types of seams and joints and then establishing preventive and migitative measures including, where necessary, positioning emergency flow restricting devices in one or more pipeline segments.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating the integrity of pipelines transporting fluids, the leakage of which could present adverse environmental or safety concerns, comprising the steps of

(a) identifying specific segments of said pipelines the leakage of which could adverse impact on environment or safety;

(b) develop a baseline assessment plan for said segments, said plan including

(i) analyze all available information relating to the integrity of said segments and other portions of said pipelines including age, corrosion, types of seams and joints;

(ii) develop criteria for remedial action to address integrity issues identified in step (i); and

(c) establish preventive and mitigative measures for high consequence areas.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of ascertaining whether emergency flow restricting devices are required for any of said high consequence areas and, if so, which of said high consequence areas require said devices.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said step of ascertaining comprises developing a computer interface which includes an estimate of potential spill volume at each of a plurality of points along said pipeline based upon changes to types and locations of said emergency flow restricting devices.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said method of ascertaining comprises

(a) developing a risk assessment procedure which

(i) identifies one or more risk assessments each based upon both qualitative and quantitative risk factors and

(ii) establishes a relative risk cost based on tangible and intangible cost estimates;

(b) estimating the probability of leakage occurring for specific segments of said pipeline; and

(c) taking remedial action based upon an evaluation of steps (a) and (b).

5. A process for managing the operation of a pipeline comprising the steps of

(a) identifying pipeline segments and/or related assets in which a spill could effect an area of high consequence;

(b) developing a database of geological information for said segments on a segment by segment basis and/or related assets on an asset by asset basis;

(c) estimating worst case release data for said pipeline segment and/or said related assets; and

(d) developing a baseline threat assessment for said pipeline segments.

6. The process according to claim 5 further including the step of updating data to ascertain changes in said could affect areas.

7. The process of claim 5 further including the step of obtaining data showing the type of physical support utilizing for pipeline segments.

8. The process of claim 5 wherein said estimate of worst case release data includes estimates of liquid releases and airborne releases.

9. The process of claim 5 further including the step of preparing maps or reports using a computer interface of said data.

10. The process of claim 9 further including the step of preparing three dimensional modeling to predict areas which could be affected by spills of various magnitude.

11. The process of claim 10 including the step of identifying buffer or impact zones to predict the potential for air-borne dispersion of vapors from said spills.

12. The process of claim 5 wherein developing said baseline threat assessment includes the steps of ascertaining

(a) corrosion of said pipeline segments;

(b) damage to pipeline segments from outside forces; and

(c) longitudinal seam integrity of said pipeline segments.

13. The process according to claim 5 further including the step of formulating an assessment method selection based upon

(a) integrity threats including threats due to outside force damage, corrosion or long seam susceptibility;

and

(b) a selection matrix of in-line inspection tools.

14. The process of claim 5 wherein said step of developing said baseline threat assessment includes, for various ones of said pipeline segments

(a) collecting, construction data, operational data, inspection data and incident data;

(b) developing an integrity threat matrix;

(c) evaluating risk factors including long seam susceptibility, corrosion and evaluating said integrity matrix; and

(d) ranking risks and establishing prioritization of corrective actions for said segments.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein developing said integrity threat matrix includes

(a) identifying potential integrity threats for various pipeline segments, including those segments identified as could affect high consequence area segments;

and

(b) identifying past incidents which occurred in said segments.

16. The process of claim 14 wherein said risk ranking includes the steps of developing an algorithm for said pipeline segments based upon evaluation of risks for specific ones of said pipeline segments and incorporating said algorithm in a computer interface.

17. The process of claim 14 wherein the step of ranking risks and establishing said prioritization includes reviewing for specific pipeline segments

(a) results of previous tests;

(b) physical data including type of material, seams and supports;

(c) leak history;

(d) products transported;

(e) operating stress levels;

(f) geographic factors;

(g) environmental factors; and

(h) geotechnical factors.

18. The process of claim 14 further including the step of developing preventive and mitigative measures for pipeline segments determined to have high or medium risk.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein the step of developing preventive and mitigative measures includes

(a) identifying possible risk reduction measures;

(b) analyzing said risk reduction measures with computer software;

(c) selecting most effective remedy; and

(d) scheduling said remedy.

20. The process of claim 18 wherein installation of an emergency flow reduction device is identified as a remedy, the further steps comprising

(a) evaluating risk factors;

(b) calculating financial impacts with and without installation of said emergency flow reduction device;

(c) determine type and proposed location of said emergency flow reduction device;

(d) perform cost-benefit analysis; and

(e) determine appropriate action.

21. The process of claim 16 further including the step of developing a continuous improvement program which includes one or more of the following

(a) identifying a change to a risk;

(b) modifying said threat matrix based on said change;

(c) modifying threat specific algorithms; and

(d) modifying total risk algorithms.

22. The process of claim 21 further including the step of modifying the effectiveness algorithm of emergency flow restriction devices.

23. The process of claim 21 further including the step of modifying the effectiveness algorithm of leak detection.

24. The process of claim 21 further including the step of modifying priority of action to be taken.

25. The process of claim 21 wherein said continuous improvement program includes

(a) reviewing existing data for specific pipeline segments;

(b) determining appropriate testing methods for said segments; and

(c) calculating appropriate time interval for reassessment.

26. A process for managing the operation of a pipeline comprising the steps of

(a) identifying pipeline segments in which a spill could effect an area of high consequence;

(b) developing a database of geological information for said segments on a segment by segment basis;

(c) estimating worst case release data for said pipeline segments; and

(d) developing a baseline threat assessment for said pipeline segments.