Repair and Rehabilitation

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Background

Pipelines are damaged and fail. Causes of damage and failures include: corrosion, mechanical damage, pipeline instability, ground movement, cyclic pressurisation and cyclic thermal loading. All of these mechanisms will result in defects that weaken the pipeline. If these defects are severe then action will be required to strengthen or repair the pipeline and ensure its long term integrity.

Pipeline operators need access to safe reliable repair systems. They also need to be able to assess the need for repair and select appropriate repairs.

Where there is an emergency due to a failure or severe damage repairs must be completed quickly and efficiently. This can be a significant challenge if there are no systems and procedures in place. For example an emergency repair of a large diameter offshore pipeline could take 6 months if there are no emergency repair procedures and systems in place.

Repair

Penspen Integrity has a wealth of experience in the development and application of pipeline repairs. We are ideally placed to give independent advice on the suitability of particular repairs for different defects, locations and loading conditions. We have advised operators around the world on the selection of repairs for internal and external corrosion damage, anchor damage of subsea pipelines, external interference damage to onshore pipelines. We have developed emergency repair procedures and for onshore and offshore pipeline networks. We have also assisted in the development of specialised repair systems.

Rehabilitation

At Penspen Integrity we can develop cost effective strategies for planning and implementing programs of inspection and rehabilitation. These strategies are designed to suit the client. For example, where there is sufficient information available concerning the history and condition of a pipeline, probabilistic methods can be used to optimise inspection and rehabilitation expenditure. Where information is limited, then a strategy based on expert knowledge and qualitative measures will be more appropriate.