THE IMPORTANCE OF PIPELINE MAINTENANCE
Pipelines are an integral part of industries today such as building, manufacturing, mining, and oil & gas. Proper pipeline maintenance ensures that a pipeline and all its components are in optimal working condition. Most importantly it should be noted that pipeline maintenance involves a constant and continuous effort.
What does pipeline maintenance include?
1. Pipe Inspection – This involves a visual inspection of the outside components by a certified professional, and the use of a “smart pig” to gather information on the inside conditions of the pipe.
2. Corrosion Prevention – Corrosion is the result of how metal reacts to substances in the environment, and it is the #1 challenge related to pipeline maintenance. In some cases special coatings on the metal, and running low voltage through the metal helps to deter corrosion.
3. Making Repairs – This involves the use of steel sleeves or composite wraps on areas of the pipe that exhibit evidence of corrosion.
4. Continuous Commitment – This is the constant and continuous process of monitoring functional pipelines, even when not in use.
5. Distance Monitoring – This is done between visual inspections with acoustic and digital technologies from a central monitoring system.
Why is constant pipeline maintenance crucial?
- To prevent cracks, leaks and ruptures caused by corrosion which can damage our environment.
- To prevent explosions due to leakage of gas or other petroleum products that can come in contact with heat or fire.
- To prevent disruption of service, which would have a negative impact on related industries.
QP understands the importance of pipeline maintenance, and we are here to help!