Pipeline Defect Assessment (PDAC)

Objective and Overview

Many oil and gas pipelines are at, or nearing, the end of their design life but they still have many years of production left. Pipeline infrastructure will need to perform for many more decades, as world demand for oil and gas will increase up to 2020. Many transmission pipelines are now "middle aged" in pipeline terms, and even the best designed and maintained pipeline will become defective as it progresses through its design life. Operators need to be aware of the effect these defects will have on their pipeline, and – more importantly – be able to assess their significance in terms of the continuing integrity of the pipeline.

The increasing use of high technology maintenance (for example, intelligent pigs) is helping pipeline owners to assess the condition of their lines, and if these modern maintenance methods are combined with modern defect assessment methods, they can provide a very powerful, and cost-effective, tool. These methods will range from simple, quick assessment methods, to the more detailed – fitness for purpose – analysis. The course is highly interactive and takes the form of lectures, workshops, and case studies.

The course will:

• Cover methods available to assess the significance of defects detected in onshore and offshore pipelines.
• Introduce simple analytical methods used to assess Internal and External Corrosion, Dents and Gouges, Cracks (e.g. SCC), Weld Defects and Fatigue.
• Include worked examples where attendees will calculate the significance of defects in pipelines and set intelligent pig inspection levels.

The course is unique as it is a holistic approach to defect assessment, and hence ensures that the attendee appreciates all aspects of the subject, including repair and risk management.

Who Should Attend

Pipeline managers, engineers and designers involved with the maintenance, inspection and repair of pipelines.

Lecturers

Phil Hopkins, Roland Palmer-Jones, Michelle Unger, Susannah Turner, André Gonçalves

Testimonials

"Thanks to Prof Hopkins and Mr. Gonçalves for the course. The knowledge gained from this session will help us to make intelligent decisions, with the ultimate benefit for the fitness and integrity of our pipelines."

"This course should be a requirement for engineers that are new to the gas business."

"A very informative course. I just wish I had this exposure 15 years ago."

South Africa July 2011

"Roland Palmer-Jones was great! Great speaker, very knowledgeable and helpful!"

Houston June 2011

PDAC via Online Distance Learning

Objective and Overview

Penspen now offer the Pipeline Defect Assessment Course via online distance learning for those wishing to study more flexibly, and from work/home.

The methods presented enable students to understand and apply the theory and practice of pipeline integrity engineering in a work-based environment, aiming to produce highly skilled and professional graduates in key aspects of pipeline integrity – in particular ensuring the continued safety of ageing pipelines.

On completion of the course students will have relevant skills in dealing with the problems facing pipelines: assessing pipeline damage, assessing risk and corrosion problems as well as having a good foundation understanding of pipeline engineering. The course presents a holistic view of pipeline integrity, which ensures students understand the history, theory, and foundations of the technologies they will use.

Delivery

The course is presented by online distance learning enhanced tutorials, which include case studies and fully interactive quizzes, to be used as a self-evaluation tool. Penspen provide all e-learning materials and academic tutors.

"There is a shortage of skilled pipeline engineers in the world today, and as pipelines continue to age there is an increasing need for pipeline engineers with specific skills in pipeline integrity. This is the first course of its kind and a market-leader, its development primarily driven by the skills-crisis within the industry."

Professor Phil Hopkins

Additional Information

There will also be opportunities to meet the tutors by attending complementary Master Classes and Residential Courses (there is a fee associated with this). Please contact the Integrity Training Team for further information.

Additionally, there is a collaborative programme between Northumbria University's School of Computing Engineering & Information Sciences, and Penspen Ltd., UK. Students are enrolled at Northumbria University and formal assessment takes place by examination and coursework at the end of each module of the course.

Onshore Pipeline Engineering

Objective and Overview

There are millions of kilometres of onshore oil and gas pipelines around the world. As the industry expands and new staff are introduced into it, there is an increasing need for a full appreciation of the engineering design of pipelines. Additionally, many staff in the pipeline industry have not received basic pipeline engineering training, and some staff are only exposed to specialised areas. This course is a formal introduction to pipeline engineering.

Who Should Attend

Engineers who are new to the pipeline business: Pipeline Engineers, Pipeline Construction Engineers, Project Managers, Maintenance Engineers, Contractors, Supervisors, Inspectors, Operators, Equipment Suppliers, Inspection and Quality Engineers, Pipeline Design Engineers, Engineers who require a wider appreciation of onshore pipeline engineering

Lecturers

Professor Phil Hopkins, Dr Roger King

Testimonials

"Great training – thank you! Will recommend it to other young engineers. Wish I had this training during my 1st and 2nd year of work in off gas."

"I liked the examples of real world application."

"Great course and very applicable. The modern twist is very refreshing."

Houston, March 2011

"Very good course; great details and kept everyone's attention through the entire week."

Houston, March 2010

Practical Pipeline Pigging

Objective and Overview

Practical Pipeline Pigging is a focused 5 day course that combines practical exercises running a range of pigs in a test loop with detailed lectures on pig types, pigging operations, in line inspection technology (ILI) and inspection data.

The course is ideal for engineers and technical personnel who are both new to, or experienced in pigging. The course is of particular interest to those who are involved in the processes of pig selection, planning pigging projects, supervising pigging operations or project management of pigging activities. The syllabus covers: proving, cleaning, In Line Inspection pigging and associated activities.

The course is currently run in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) and USA (Houston) with plans to extend into Europe.

Lecturers

John Simon, André Gonçalves

Pipeline Pigging Operations

Penspen also deliver a theory based course on an in-house basis, providing an overview of all pigging operations from the planning required to run a pig through to the launch and receive. Please contact the Integrity Training Team for further details.

Testimonials

"A very complete course showing all the aspects of the process and eliminating a lot of related doubts."

"Fantastic!! I learnt a lot; the lectures were well balanced from beginning to end."

"I felt confident about the lecturers and their experience."

"Wonderful; it's a complete basic course, nice simulations and marvellous staff."

Rio de Janeiro, Sep 2011

Additional Information

The Practical Pipeline Pigging course includes workshop talks and demonstrations of various pig set ups and the pig preparations required prior to running in a pipeline. The course is five days long and structured to link the theory and written detail (as shown in the lecture programme) with actual practical sessions at the test loop. Each day of the course has both theory and practical elements and is designed to demonstrate how a typical program for a pigging project is planned and undertaken right through to inspection data reports and feature location.

The aim is to provide information on pig types and technology and give an overview of ILI data reporting, whilst also providing details of pipeline preparation, project planning, procedures (such as how to launch and receive pigs), general operations and safety related to pigging activities. Activities at the loop include; running a range of different pigs (proving through to ILI), tracking and feature location.

Pig design, methods and pigging philosophy are also explained, together with guidance on the type of documentation and information required when planning and running a pigging campaign.

Subsea Pipeline Engineering

Objective and Overview

The course will provide a complete and up-to-date overview of the area of Subsea Pipeline Engineering, taking delegates through the pre-design phase, design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance. It will give a complete picture of the work of design engineers and pipeline construction companies, using actual case studies from around the world to highlight the topics discussed.

While the course requires no previous experience, this is not a superficial overview. The lecturers are experts in their fields and have vast experience in lecturing on the subject of Subsea Pipeline Engineering. Places will be strictly limited to ensure maximum individual attention.

Who Should Attend

Engineers from oil & gas companies, construction companies, pipe and service suppliers and regulatory authorities who are newly qualified, have recently moved into pipeline engineering or hold broad responsibilities that include pipelines.

Lecturers

Professor Andrew Palmer, Dr Roger King

Testimonials

"Very informative in many areas of pipeline engineering. A good overview to pipelines for junior engineers as well as being detailed in areas for the more experienced."

"Very useful. Good overview of the pipeline topic from all perspectives and the case studies were useful."

"Good overall presentation of subjects. Well structured and organised lectures."

Aberdeen, February 2004

Pipeline Risk Assessment and Management

Objective and Overview

The course introduces the concepts of hazard and risk assessment, and will present the methods available to assess and control risk in gas transmission and distribution, and oil pipelines. The course will consider the methods available for the identification of threats and failure modes, the analysis of risk using qualitative and quantitative methods, methods of risk control, and the assessment of risk acceptability. Regulatory issues and risk management strategies will also be covered.

The course will provide attendees with a broad overview of risk concepts and definitions and an understanding of quantitative and qualitative risk analysis, assessment and management techniques for hazardous pipelines.

Who Should Attend

Pipeline engineers and designers who require knowledge of risk assessment and management.

This course is suitable for both managers and engineers involved in risk assessment and management or engineers who require a good, broad, understanding of these topics.

Lecturers

Graham Goodfellow, Susannah Turner

Offshore and Onshore Pipeline Legislation

Objective and Overview

The aim of both courses is to provide those whose work involves them in the planning, design, construction, commissioning, operations, inspection, maintenance or abandonment of pipelines with an understanding of the UK legislation in respect of these activities.

The courses address all planning and abandonment, major accident hazard and environmental protection legislation relevant to pipelines in the UK. The roles of the principal regulatory authorities including the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Health and Safety Executive, the Marine Management Organisation/Marine Scotland, Environment Agency, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency are discussed.

The course describes the principle Acts and Regulations that must be complied with. For offshore these include the Petroleum Act, the Pipelines Safety Regulations, the Safety Case Regulations, The Food and Environmental Protection Act, The Marine and Coastal Access Act/Marine Scotland Act while the Onshore course addresses the Pipelines Act, the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and the Environment Act. The various processes that must be completed in order to gain the necessary authorisations and ensure legal compliance are detailed.

Who Should Attend

Pipeline engineers, designers and operators involved in the planning, design, construction, commissioning, operations, inspection, maintenance and abandonment of offshore/onshore pipelines, who must ensure that such activities comply with legal duties. Managers and engineers involved in the day to day pipeline activities. Managers and engineers who require a good, broad, understanding of these topics.

"It is vital that those involved with offshore pipelines understand exactly what the law says and how the regulatory authorities interpret and implement the law. So often, people have an understanding based on inaccurate anecdotal information picked up on the job. This course explains precisely what the legal duties are and what is required to ensure compliance. Ignorance is no defence."

Dennis Keen, Principal Consultant & Lecturer

Additional Information

Some offshore pipeline operators operate pipelines that terminate at a site onshore. The onshore section is normally less than 1 mile long, however still attracts onshore duties. As such, Penspen offers an extended offshore course that also addresses what operators need to know in relation to onshore regulations. Penspen therefore offers 3 separate courses dependent upon your requirements:

• Onshore course – 1 day
• Offshore course – 1 day
• Extended offshore including onshore aspects – 1.5 days