PRCI

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January 16, 2012

PRCI Completes Workshop to Initiate Facility Integrity Management Program

PRCI sponsored a workshop on October 24, 2011 at the New York Helmsley Hotel in conjunction with the Technical Committee meetings to support the development of a comprehensive Facility Integrity Research Program. The workshop was attended by representatives of pipeline operating companies, inspection and service providers, and industry organizations (e.g., NACE). The attendees represented a wide range of disciplines, experience, and subject matter expertise. The purpose of this workshop was to allow PRCI member companies and other industry stakeholders to identify the requirements for a comprehensive approach to managing the threats and risks associated with operating pipeline facilities. During the workshop, much of the emphasis was on gathering input provided by workshop participants to establish the program framework. PRCI sponsored the workshop to address the increasing level of interest in the pipeline industry related to inspection and integrity management of pipeline facilities, as many pipeline operators have recognized facility integrity as an important component of the overall integrity management program and have developed (or are developing) their own internal FIMPs. The PRCI program is targeted to provide industry-wide and accepted guidance for benchmarking industry best practices and standards.

A series of presentations were included as part of the workshop to provide the current status of projects and programs being planned or performed by PRCI and other industry work and initiatives focused on facility integrity issues. This information was needed to present the current baseline and program status across the industry. The presentations addressed the following topic areas:


  • Current Status of PRCI Pipeline R&D for Facility Integrity Management Program
  • API Recommended Practices and Standards for Facility Integrity
  • Overview CEPA Guidance for Facility Integrity Management
  • Practical Approaches to Managing Facility Integrity (two separate presentations)

Following the presentations, there was a breakout session to discuss gaps that need to be addressed for an industry accepted standard for a comprehensive Facility Integrity Management Program and gather the input for the program framework document. The breakout session provided the opportunity for the workshop participants to brainstorm and debate the issues and develop recommendations for the program. Key outcomes of the workshop include: establishing a leadership team for the program, determining additional relevant reports and association guidelines that would be relevant to program road mapping, and identifying current gaps in failure susceptibility assessment and mitigation in order to build upon current information. All of these topics of discussion aided in forming the basis of the program and will serve as the catalyst for the program development as work begins on the individual projects that make up the Facility Integrity Program.

PRCI is finalizing a report on the workshop proceedings and outcomes and will distribute the report to all participants and post in PRIME for member company review when completed. Please contact Carrie Greaney, PRCI Research Manager with any questions or if you would like additional information.

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