Pipeline Integrity Management System - A New Approach In Managing Pipelines

Abstract Managing pipelines in operation divisions of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) always as important as producing a hydrocarbon from its fields. Three (3) PCSB domestic operation regions namely Peninsular Malaysia Operation (PMO), Sarawak Operation (SKO) and Sabah Operation (SBO) are currently operating a total of more than 277 pipelines. Due to aging pipelines that PCSB are currently operating in which some are more than 25 years, a prudent management in term of its risk and consequence as well as cost of operating the aging pipelines need to be re-assessed via a comprehensive management system that can be used as a tool to inform PCSB management in term its integrity. It is imperative that an integrated pipeline integrity management system (PIMS) to be made available to ensure pipelines integrity always available upon request and are up to date with the latest integrity status. Before the development of the PIMS for PCSB, all the pipeline integrity management for each region is residing with the individual(s)/units that performing specific functions e.g. inspection, engineering and operations. With the development of the PIMS, all those effort related to pipeline integrity are managed and integrated in more effective manner by single point reference i.e. Pipeline Competent Person in PCSB. It was determined that the adoption of an integrated approach in managing pipelines would be the optimal way to facilitate prudent management and surveillance of pipeline integrity. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effort that had been put in making the PIMS project materialised as well as to share the experience in developing the system with the help of other resources from internal and external of PCSB organisation. Having the PIMS implemented in PCSB it will reduce considerable amount of time and effort that previously needed to acquire the integrity status of pipelines. Adopting an integrated team effort throughout the company has provided the necessary forum for open and inter-disciplinary exchange of ideas and experiences on PIMS related matters. As a result, it has aided in enhancing cooperative actions and the capturing of synergism, all to the benefit of the PCSB.