Pipelines
Pipeline assets keep oil and gas flowing, which maintains energy production and powers industry, transport, our homes and society. Pipelines are the distribution networks for the fuels of the future, such as hydrogen. Our goal is to help operators protect this network of pipeline assets from risks that reduce performance and disrupt supply. Together with the challenges of day-to-day pipeline operations, aging infrastructure and climate change are additional threats for operators to manage.
Older pipelines built using dated materials and construction technology suffer disproportionately from threats such as corrosion and cracking. Climate change is driving extreme weather events, with more frequent and severe geohazards, that can cause damage and failure. Managing these complex risks requires a holistic approach.
Our comprehensive asset solutions approach
We offer holistic pipeline risk management strategies tailored to the needs of your assets to ensure they continue to operate at optimal levels of performance. Our comprehensive asset solutions approach comprises two uniquely defined loops, based on a plan, do, check, act and set process. Each loop identifies a specific goal while identifying technology, methods and consultancy to achieve that goal.
The result is an integrated pipeline management framework that, when combined with our inspection, prevention, management and rehabilitation solutions, enables safe, compliant and efficient pipeline operations.
While supporting pipeline operators in all stages of the asset's lifecycle, we always have in mind various challenges a pipeline system can face.
Environmental effects on pipelines
Extreme weather events driven by climate change are causing floods, sediment flows, settlement and landslides. Global warming is increasing extreme drought events, causing subsidence and population movements. Pipelines are affected, experiencing severe bending and axial loads from ground movement or vortex induced vibration from exposure to fast flowing water after river scour. These lead to permanent deformation, cracking and ultimately catastrophic failure. Older pipelines that have been stable for decades are now experiencing conditions for which they were never designed and which, due to their materials and construction, they cannot tolerate.
Pipeline cracking
Cracking is a complex threat for pipelines, with a wide range of crack types, locations and causes. Fatigue cracks, environmentally assisted cracking and other crack types can all compromise pipeline integrity, leading to safety and operational risks.
To manage this diversity, our pipeline integrity framework for cracking covers every possibility in exploring the potential types, causes and contributing factors for cracking. This holistic approach gives pipeline operators the most effective means to control cracks.