With the posting of new pipeline integrity management regulations in the United States, an increased emphasis has been put on utilizing in-line inspection (ILI) techniques for assessing pipeline systems. While these regulations have greatly impacted the way that pipeline operators implement their maintenance and pipeline integrity programs, little if no attention has been paid to ILI service providers … their capacity, and the qualifications of their analysis staff.

Currently, there are no written, consensus standards pertaining to ILI analyst training, analyst qualifications, and data QA/QC. This paper outlines some minimum and/or general guidelines that should be considered in order to relay confidence to the pipeline operators and to the regulators that a “best efforts” quality product is being presented by ILI vendors. Additionally, this paper highlights the needs for a collaborative effort amongst the ILI service providers, the operating companies, and the regulatory agencies to develop these guidelines into standard practices and procedures.

Subject
Pipeline operations, Piping, Pipeline integrity management, Industries, Regulations, Pipelines, Tools, Inspection, Metal loss, Personnel, Defects, Training, Surveys
© 2002 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2002
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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