NTSB Releases Gas Pipeline Integrity Management Study
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) adopted a safety study on integrity management of gas transmission pipelines in high consequence areas.
“Effective oversight and management of these programs save lives, preserve property, and protect the environment,” said NTSB Acting Chairman Christopher A. Hart.
The study, which the NTSB released Jan. 27, includes recommendations addressing a broad range of improvements. These include broadened use of in-line inspection, the inspection method that detects the most potential problem areas per mile of pipeline.
The recommendations also emphasizes closer state to-state and federal-state cooperation among inspectors, and call for expanded and improved resources and guidance at the federal level, including improvements to the National Pipeline Mapping System and better integration of geographic information system (GIS) technology.
In 2003, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued regulations governing these integrity management processes. The regulations took effect in 2004.
In its safety study, the NTSB analyzed information from PHMSA’s data systems, federal and state pipeline inspectors, transmission pipeline operators, industry associations, and pipeline and safety engineering support organizations. The study also reviewed recent NTSB accident investigations.
Integrity management of gas transmission pipelines requires expert knowledge and integration of multiple disciplines to detect potential problems. America’s onshore gas transmission pipeline network comprises almost 300,000 miles of pipeline, the majority of which was laid before 1970. The study focused specifically on high consequence areas, where an accident could cause the most damage and loss of lives.
While the 2003 regulations have kept the rate of corrosion failures and material failures low, study authors note, there is no evidence that they have led to an overall decline in accidents in high consequence areas.
“Improving pipeline safety is a critical human safety issue that can and must be improved now,” Hart said. “With the collaborative input of experts throughout the pipeline industry and regulatory community we’ve identified additional ways to find the potential problems before they become tragedies.”
The entire report can be accessed at the following link: 2015-NTSB-Integrity-Management-Report
Tags: integrity management, NTSB, PHMSA, pipeline integrity
