I N DEGYPT U S T RYUPDATES INSIGHTS
SMART PIPELINES PIGGING: A STEP-IN
TOWARDS INTEGRATED SAFETY
BY FATMA AHMED
P
ipelines are considered the best way to transport large amounts of oil and natural gas across various distances. Also, pipelines are the safest mean in terms of its impact on the environment and human health. This fact should be taken into consideration when it comes to petroleum sector.
PIPELINES SAFETY However, a number of processes should be followed to avoid any possible incidents that may occur because of neglect of pipelines. Proactive inspections should be done for pipelines on a regular basis to detect any possible problems before happening. Operators should use high-tech inspection tools while inspecting pipelines such as an ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and digital analysis. Additionally, pipeline operators have to implement preventative maintenance if 28
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there is any initiated problems from recovering pipes with protective coating or replacing the damaged part with another. Also, operators should monitor pipes continuously, as per daily schedules. Another issue that should be considered is the design and construction of pipeline, in terms of its quality. For example, this means ensuring that type of steel used is that of a good quality and must be certified. After construction, they have to be tested to ensure that there are no leaks. Moreover, operators should be ready for any emergency by preparing emergency plans and train their employees to be ready for any potential incident.
