Pipelines

Pipeline assets keep oil and gas flowing, which maintains energy production and powers industry, transport, our homes and society. Pipelines are the distribution networks for the fuels of the future, such as hydrogen. Our goal is to help operators protect this network of pipeline assets from risks that reduce performance and disrupt supply. Together with the challenges of day-to-day pipeline operations, aging infrastructure and climate change are additional threats for operators to manage.

Older pipelines built using dated materials and construction technology suffer disproportionately from threats such as corrosion and cracking. Climate change is driving extreme weather events, with more frequent and severe geohazards, that can cause damage and failure. Managing these complex risks requires a holistic approach.

Our comprehensive asset solutions approach

We offer holistic pipeline risk management strategies tailored to the needs of your assets to ensure they continue to operate at optimal levels of performance. Our comprehensive asset solutions approach comprises two uniquely defined loops, based on a plan, do, check, act and set process. Each loop identifies a specific goal while identifying technology, methods and consultancy to achieve that goal.

The result is an integrated pipeline management framework that, when combined with our inspection, prevention, management and rehabilitation solutions, enables safe, compliant and efficient pipeline operations.

What do you need?

Safe cost-effective operation. We keep energy flowing with integrated strategies for process optimization and comprehensive asset integrity. Our technologies are deployed alongside our dedicated software and data platforms, managed by our multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Asset integrity and process optimization double loop with the words "Plan", "Do", "Check", "Act", "Set".

While supporting pipeline operators in all stages of the asset's lifecycle, we always have in mind various challenges a pipeline system can face.

What is your challenge? 

Our comprehensive asset solutions approach has been over forty years in the making and constantly evolves as we learn more. We have the technology, knowledge, data and expertise to help you manage all risks to the performance and integrity of your pipeline assets.
Image of a pipeline wall showing a crack.

Environmental effects on pipelines

Extreme weather events driven by climate change are causing floods, sediment flows, settlement and landslides. Global warming is increasing extreme drought events, causing subsidence and population movements. Pipelines are affected, experiencing severe bending and axial loads from ground movement or vortex induced vibration from exposure to fast flowing water after river scour. These lead to permanent deformation, cracking and ultimately catastrophic failure. Older pipelines that have been stable for decades are now experiencing conditions for which they were never designed and which, due to their materials and construction, they cannot tolerate.

White-grey image showing a form of pipeline cracking.

Pipeline cracking  

Cracking is a complex threat for pipelines, with a wide range of crack types, locations and causes. Fatigue cracks, environmentally assisted cracking and other crack types can all compromise pipeline integrity, leading to safety and operational risks. 

To manage this diversity, our pipeline integrity framework for cracking covers every possibility in exploring the potential types, causes and contributing factors for cracking. This holistic approach gives pipeline operators the most effective means to control cracks. 

Thoughtful woman with H2 and CO2 molecules around her.

Hydrogen

As the world moves toward a decarbonized future, we support pipeline operators in converting their existing gas networks to hydrogen.
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