Pipeline Integrity Management (PIMS) system is all activities (monitoring, control, documentation, etc) that assure the pipeline remains in a Safe Condition throughout its operational lifetime. Technically, it can be said that PIMS is a mean to assure that the pipeline satisfies all relevant Design Criteria.

Perspective VS Risk Based Methods
• Traditionally, pipeline integrity is managed by prescriptive requirements that comply to authorities. Today’s industry tends to reduce operational cost in one side, but simultaneously maintain reliability and safety for its personnel, assets and environment.
  Industries trends are:
  • Going from prescriptive rules to goal setting/functionality, based on risk assessment
  • Use of risk based approaches to optimize revenue without jeopardizing safety or environment
  • Use of risk based approaches in pipeline integrity project phase is to ensure that the pipeline is safe and secure. It involves all aspects of a pipeline’s design construction, operation, inspection, management and maintenance

Component of PIMS
• In summary the RBI approach adopted by DNV involves the following steps:
  • Review of equipment Database
  • Analyze the data
  • Evaluate each equipment item with regards to: probability of failure, consequence, risk
  • Evaluation of management systems
  • Evaluation of inspection plan
  • Focused Inspection efforts
  • Identify opportunities for: risk reduction, cost reduction

Benefit of PIMS
• Consistent use of PIMS according to codes/standards, best practice, and consistent documentation, gives several benefits:
  • Document the risk of the pipelines, which hence can be used to prioritized actions
  • Can save inspection costs (from excessive inspections) and improve operations
  • The benefit of inspection and other actions can be documented
  • Make the operator aware of the condition of the pipeline, and risk exposure