Computer Systems and Databases Facilitate Pipeline IMP and Risk Management

Computer History - 101

It was not too many decades ago when a whole room would be designed and dedicated to just one computer system. These earlier computer systems required a lot of room and actually needed a cooling system that would prevent the computers from overheating. Now the same capabilities of these earlier computers are provided in computers that are hand-held, and can do much more than their early predecessors. It seems there is at least one computer involved in almost all we do today, and in some cases through initial design, computers are actually needed. For example, should an aircraft’s computer fail, in some of the latest models, it would be very difficult, probably even impossible to the pilot.

Today computers have made such pipeline processes as engineering, design, operations and even maintenance much quicker and much more efficient. The computer’s first real in-roads to the pipeline industry came as a need in both engineering and design, but today some pipeline systems are controlled, monitored and operated, for the most part by computers. It is safe to say, and a lot of people would agree that most of what we do today so effortlessly, may have been very difficult to achieve before the inroads of the computers.

Sunnet Solution’s MyDat@IQTM

SunNet Solutions is a web application development and information technology (IT) provider with over 17 years of commitment to serving their clients with IT solutions. They provide a full range of services in the areas of software development, enterprise software solutions, database application and web portal development. From small businesses to large corporations, they provide affordable IT solutions that will maximize efficiency and increase profit through optimum web-based applications.

MyDat@IQTM database manager is just one of many programs SunNet Solutions has to offer. It is a multifaceted and unique database manager that begins as a standalone foundation program that can be customized and integrated with, to meet any customer’s data management needs, and although it is not the only database management program available, it is certainly thought to be one of a kind.

Even though its programming core begins as what appears to be just another database management program, MyDat@IQTM does much more than just store and retrieve data. MyDat@IQTM not only remembers where it had put everything, but also remembers how to quickly retrieve it. This program is designed to manage multiple databases, while leaving them, and their data content intact and unchanged. MyDat@IQTM can copy and merge all, or some information of all databases together into one main database if needed. MyDat@IQTM will help in making almost all decisions, and will even offer up suggested options with possible end results for resolving many questions and requirements that come with managing such a large ongoing program as an IMP, for example.

Through programing, this database management program can be built to accept any, and all forms of data; handwritten, photographs, drawings, quantitative values, etc. MyDat@IQTM has the ability to not only access and retrieve data from other databases, it can also be programed to evaluate the data as it receives it, and ensures that it understands all it needs to know, in order to store it properly (again, through its initial programming), and will even check against all other similar data that already exists – no matter where that data is located.

If while data is being entered appears to be a duplication that already exists in another form, or does not merge well with what is already available, MyDat@IQTM will prompt the computer program operator to check it, and make any necessary alterations to ensure the data is good, and is stored properly. And as it should be, for historical purposes, this database manager will not over-write any data.

IMP Management

For the benefit of this IMP management discussion we will use a mock project call the “Recoat Project” performed sometime in the past. Let’s say this project took place some 14 years earlier on a 30-year-old pipeline system. We will use this mock project, and its data as a single maintenance incident that we will carry throughout various examples of how MyDat@IQTM works, in an effort to explain and highlight the many program features, expectations and uses. Also, in doing this it is hoped that the reader will better understand how important one item from some otherwise seemingly obscured historical data can be used over, and over again as a very useful means for something as involved and massive as a good IMP, and give some insight into how MyDat@IQTM actually works, while also highlighting some of the features that it has to offer.

A good example of how MyDat@IQTM will work within many aspects of operating a pipeline, just by being always available, and waiting for the go-ahead to run. Let’s take the following common example, MyDat@IQTM has in its database (in this case, available from a historical maintenance record) records of a 1,500 feet segment of pipeline recoated, and within another database it is noted that its cathodic protection (CP) system’s protective current output reduced as a probable result, at the same time. A good maintenance record, but not thought of since was developed of the Recoat Project and served as a very good piece of historical data to have for various reasons at the time it was recorded, and now while trying to determine threats for this pipeline during an IMP risk analysis process, it becomes even more important and becomes a consideration to MyDat@IQTM rather than just a maintenance record. MyDat@IQTM is aware that this information is available, because that is its basic nature to always consider all available during any process it is asked to perform.

It is the job of MyDat@IQTM through its programming to be aware of this data through its continued awareness and recognition that a lot of good information exists from many records for various reasons. One of the items that MyDat@IQTM considers and would find noteworthy and possibly important as future reference, is the Recoat Project did not include any pipe replacement or repairs since the external wall loss was found to be minor, leaving more than enough wall thickness to continue operating the pipeline safely. But again, the wall loss did cover a large area as general corrosion, so the Recoat Project was quite an undertaking. It was also noted in this particular maintenance report that the root-cause was poor coating leaving too much of the pipe’s exterior exposed to corrosive elements, and no other threat contribution was noted. The CP system was in play, but was being operated at a level that if left uncorrected may have later caused more serious corrosion problems with all of the pipeline’s coating system failing in that general area. Before the coating repair the CP maintenance records also indicate that even with the CP system’s protective current at an elevated level, the pipe-to-soil potential readings were not what was required to fully protect the pipeline. When completed the Recoat Project was a success, in that the CP system’s protective current could be reduced after follow-up investigations were performed. All of the good work and good record keeping was probably initially recorded for prosperity, and thought to be nothing more than simply a matter of historical information. Now some 14 years later MyDat@IQTM has access to this information and will use it as consideration for as many processes it is programed to initiate.

Integrity Assessment Method and Remediation

The Recoat Project again comes into play while trying to determine an integrity assessment method and making determination for all possible remediation considerations. Thanks largely to the work of MyDat@IQTM during the risk analysis process; we now know external corrosion, due to coating deterioration is a real threat consideration, especially making the coating suspect elsewhere. Because of a history of wall loss due to poor coating, the decision is made to use an inline inspection (ILI) tool as the method for integrity assessment. As the results of the tool run are analyzed the data is then imported by MyDat@IQTM into its database for storage, retrieval and further analysis. While MyDat@IQTM considers the anomalies, and begins to prepare the dig sheets for remediation as required by the appropriate regulations. It should be noted that MyDat@IQTM is aware of where the high consequence areas (HCA) are and uses this to correctly prioritize the digs and repairs. To continue with our Recoat Project example, let’s say there are a total of 550 anomalies in need of attention, and are grouped in 27 general areas, with only 15 of these found within HCA. MyDat@IQTM has not forgotten about the historical Recoat Project record, and realizes that 5 of the areas noted, because of their location are called out as areas of concern and are included as anomalies in need of repair. This recognition is added to its report, and suggests that these may have already been taken care of some 14 years earlier by the Recoat Project – remember no repairs or pipe replacement had occurred to restore any wall loss, so these could be the very same anomalies found at that earlier time. As it turns out the Recoat Project’s new coating was still in very good shape as verified by a few pipeline exposures, and the wall loss depths that were called out by the ILI tool were, indeed preexisting, and with that bit of information, more time and effort would be better spent on the remaining 10 areas, of which were really of lesser consequence in this particular case.

Program Self Evaluation

Because MyDat@IQTM has all that is needed to perform, or implement a very large and demonstrative IMP, it also has every capability and available data for evaluating how well all processes have performed, and produce records and demonstrations in any format a pipeline operator could think of to prove or show ongoing progress and any cost savings. And if IMP personnel are at a moment’s loss for a demonstration, MyDat@IQTM can, of course offer up suggestions – at this point would you expect less?

Today’s computers have become great tools for doing almost everything, and in using the best available programs just make the computers even better tools, and even more of a necessity. Hopefully this writing has given some insight into how all of this is possible. The many capabilities of MyDat@IQTM have only been touched-on here for introduction purposes, with the surface scratched only, but it is hoped this has instilled enough interest and consideration to promote the use of this innovative and very powerful database management program.