Tech Talks - Previous Sessions Europe

These free informational and Q & A sessions, cover a wide range of topics on asset integrity management and regulatory ramifications for the oil and gas industry. The topics focus on multiple solutions that obtain quality data, which informs the best decisions, and planning capability for the near and long term. Select a region below to discover your customized sessions.

Find out more information about the previous sessions of our Europe Region below.

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Introductory Session

10 June 2020, 10:30 am BST

Key Note

This talk will look at the current status of pipeline integrity management, then “look into the future” to suggest some improvements and changes we need to consider if we want to continue operating safe pipelines.

Mind the Gap

With the energy industry seeking to increase the economic life of assets, many will remain in operation longer than anticipated. Alternative use (e.g. hydrogen) of our pipeline systems – incentivized by the energy transition – adds an additional challenge in managing our aging assets. Best practices from projects are a major component contributing to the success and safety of the industry. With cost pressures, an aging workforce and delivery deadlines, the time and effort required to capture and share those lessons are frequent casualties of those challenges. At the same time, pipelines are increasingly under the watchful eye of the public, demanding what has been referred to as a Roadmap to Zero Incidents. Systematic approaches derived from industry best practices may not sound like rocket science, but, working with many operators around the world, we experience many approaches and collect hard evidence on the results of those approaches. We firmly believe that most operators can achieve substantial efficiency gains and cost reductions by taking a value-chain approach. We will discuss a generic Pipeline Integrity Framework that enables the sharing of best practices and adds value to risk-based pipeline integrity decision-making. In addition, the described Framework will be instrumental in harvesting the value of the “digital promise” on data analytics and predictive analytics, ultimately contributing to efficiency and operational cost reduction.

Presenters:
Dr. Phil Hopkins, Phil Hopkins LTd
Roy van Elteren, Head of Integrity Solutions, ROSEN Europe

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Part 1 - Onshore stream

Morning session

12 June 2020, 10:30 am BST

Integrity Analytics – Data Science for Pipeline Integrity Management

"Integrity Analytics” involves the application of data science techniques (such as exploratory data analysis, data visualization, machine learning and computational probability) to everyday challenges of pipeline integrity management. By describing historical trends and creating predictive models, Integrity Analytics techniques can help us to use "big data" more effectively in the pipeline industry. Using a pilot data warehouse containing data for over 5,000 pipelines, it will be shown how Integrity Analytics can provide an alternative route to understanding complex pipeline threats, such as corrosion.

Dealing with SCC - An Approach to the Management of Pipeline External Stress Corrosion Cracking

Historically, many pipeline failures have been reported due to external Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in the oil and gas industry worldwide. While numerous SCC cases have been reported on the American Continent from North to South, there is a much lower level of reporting of such problems in Western Europe, which may have led to misplaced confidence that the Old Continent remains relatively immune to pipeline SCC challenges. Our experience shows that the European markets are not immune to pipeline external SCC, with failures reported as early as 1968. In this paper, the challenges of managing pipeline external SCC will be highlighted. An approach to understanding more confidently the occurrence of SCC on pipeline networks and to proceed to a more reliable management of SCC (and cracking) will be discussed.

Presenters:
Michael Smith, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Daniel Sandana, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Part 1 - Offshore stream

Afternoon session

12 June 2020, 2:30 pm BST

Integrity Analytics – Data Science for Pipeline Integrity Management

"Integrity Analytics” involves the application of data science techniques (such as exploratory data analysis, data visualization, machine learning and computational probability) to everyday challenges of pipeline integrity management. By describing historical trends and creating predictive models, Integrity Analytics techniques can help us to use "big data" more effectively in the pipeline industry. Using a pilot data warehouse containing data for over 5,000 pipelines, it will be shown how Integrity Analytics can provide an alternative route to understanding complex pipeline threats, such as corrosion.

Taking CGA to the Next Level – Advances in ILI-based Corrosion Growth Assessment

Accurate estimates of corrosion growth behavior are important for effective Integrity Management, to reduce uncertainty in future predictions and enable continued safe and economic pipeline operation. Following a brief description of conventional methods of corrosion growth assessment from repeat ILI data, this presentation will go on to show how computer vision and machine learning can be used to enhance the resulting corrosion behavior estimates from these methods. It will further demonstrate how corrosion growth distributions can be estimated for a pipeline, where in-line inspection data is not available.

Presenters:
Michael Smith, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Andy Russel, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Part 2 - Onshore stream

Morning session

17 June 2020, 10:30 am BST

Taking CGA to the Next Level – Advances in ILI-based Corrosion Growth Assessment

Accurate estimates of corrosion growth behavior are important for effective Integrity Management, to reduce uncertainty in future predictions and enable continued safe and economic pipeline operation. Following a brief description of conventional methods of corrosion growth assessment from repeat ILI data, this presentation will go on to show how computer vision and machine learning can be used to enhance the resulting corrosion behavior estimates from these methods. It will further demonstrate how corrosion growth distributions can be estimated for a pipeline, where in-line inspection data is not available.

Capturing Opportunities in the Energy Transition – Hydrogen Integrity Framework

This talk will illustrate a comprehensive integrity management approach supporting pipeline operators with the conversion of their existing natural gas grids and operations for transporting hydrogen.

In the talk, we will summarize the potential threats, and the changes or additions to current integrity management (and potentially operating) practices needed to monitor these new threats.

Presenters:
Andy Russel, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Neil Gallon, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Part 2 - Offshore stream

Afternoon session

17 June 2020, 2:30 pm BST

Pipelines Aging Gracefully - Assuring Longevity through Proactive Corrosion Management

Ageing is not about how old your equipment is; it is about its condition, and how that is changing over time. Aging assets, like the North Sea’s Forties oil field, which was brought online in 1975 is undergoing further development to extend their operational life beyond 2030, while others are being considered for future offshore hydrogen generation. An ageing asset doesn’t have to mean something that is unmanageable or inoperable (or unprofitable!). However, we are in an era where ageing assets the industry comes under greater regulatory scrutiny and the delicate balance between cost, efficiency, and sustainability continues to be just that, delicate. In order to create a sustainable and profitable future, we need to address integrity challenges in an integrated and strategic manner, always having a long-term strategy in mind. We must learn to be proactive and find answers to the questions like “What might go wrong?” and “How can we prevent incidents?” rather than having to answer the questions “What went wrong?” and “Could we have prevented this incident?”. Although a reactive approach may provide short-term cost savings, it is proactive corrosion management that delivers improved operational reliability and an optimisation of overall asset life-cycle cost.

Ready for a "Quick Fix?" – The Role of EPRS as a Key Component of PIMS

Offshore Emergency Pipeline Repair System (EPRS), follow on from Emergency Response, providing business continuity by ensuing a repair response is available.

In this talk, we restate the basic process and elements of an EPRS. Look at a few of the challenges operators have experienced in establishing an EPRS, and consider the impact of a low oil price and asset change of ownership. We close this out with a simple self-assessment activity where you can assess your current level of preparedness.

Presenters:
Marguerite Forde, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Will Sharman, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Part 3 - Onshore stream

Morning session

19 June 2020, 10:30 am BST

Need a Quick Fix? – An Update on Available Pipeline Repair Technologies and Solutions

During construction and subsequent operation, pipelines are subject to degradation, ageing mechanisms and external influences e.g. corrosion, fatigue, 3rd party damage, ground movement. Pipeline repair may be required when the structural integrity of the pipe has dropped below an acceptable level. In an extreme case this may be where there is a leak or rupture, but more usually it is where a defect has been identified by ILI or direct assessment and subsequent engineering assessment has confirmed the defect unacceptable for safe operation.

This talk will provide an outline of the key factors to consider when planning a pipeline repair, discuss repair method selection and provide an overview of available repair options today. This will include discussing repair options that fall outside of ASME B31.4, such as the epoxy sleeve or composites for the repair of cracks, together guidance on how to qualify and manage these repairs for safe install on a pipeline defect.

An Outside Perspective – The Importance of Cathodic Protection and Field Verification Data

The aim of the talk is to provide a general insight into how measured cathodic protection and environmental data obtained in conjunction with verification measurements of pipeline corrosion defects can provide clients with additional confidence for assessing and prioritising dig up campaigns associated with piggable and non-piggable pipeline scenarios.

Whilst offering insight into real life scenarios where often things are not quite the way it seems, the talk will have particular focus relating to the importance of accurate data gathering and how inaccuracies in measurement techniques can impact the operators vision significantly.

Presenters:
Lauren Guest, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Dave Baglin, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group

Pipeline Integrity Framework - Part 3 - Offshore stream

Afternoon session

19 June 2020, 2:30 pm BST

Maintaining Safe Operations – Working with the Regulations and Keeping the HSE Onside

The HSE introduced the Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR) almost a quarter of a century ago in 1996. The PSR replaced earlier prescriptive legislation on the management of pipeline safety with a more integrated, goal-setting, risk-based approach encompassing both onshore and offshore pipelines.

This talk will look at the structure of the regulations and how they should be implemented to ensure that effective pipeline integrity management processes in place that will stand up to the scrutiny of the HSE. Emphasis will be placed on the HSE’s more recent focus on Maintaining Safe Operations through Leadership Audits (MSOLA) as part of their wider offshore inspections and the key concerns these audits have raised since their introduction (in the wake of the previous oil price crash in 2015) and what you need to do to keep the HSE onside.

The NIMA Framework – A Tool for Dynamic Offshore Pipeline RBI

To help address the challenges faced by operators with ageing subsea assets, ROSEN has investigated ways to utilize the NIMA framework for the optimization of offshore pipeline integrity management.

This talk will provide insight into the offshore implementation of NIMA. In particular, it will be demonstrated how the framework facilitates the integration of multiple data sets, including subsea survey, in-line inspection data and pipeline risk-based inspection (RBI) within a single platform that allows for optimized integrity decision support.

Presenters:
Dave Fletts, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Michael Young, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group

TECH TALK TUESDAY: SESSION 1 - LIVE INTRODUCTORY SESSION

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

29 September 2020, 11 am CEST

Key Note: Pipeline Integrity Management - Thinking of the Future

This talk will look at the current status of pipeline integrity management, then “look into the future” to suggest some improvements and changes we need to consider if we want to continue operating safe pipelines.

Mind the Gap

To help address the challenges faced by operators with ageing subsea assets, ROSEN has investigated ways to utilize the NIMA framework for the optimization of offshore pipeline integrity management.

With the energy industry seeking to increase the economic life of assets, many will remain in operation longer than anticipated. Alternative use (e.g. hydrogen) of our pipeline systems – incentivized by the energy transition – adds an additional challenge in managing our aging assets. Best practices from projects are a major component contributing to the success and safety of the industry. With cost pressures, an aging workforce and delivery deadlines, the time and effort required to capture and share those lessons are frequent casualties of those challenges. At the same time, pipelines are increasingly under the watchful eye of the public, demanding what has been referred to as a Roadmap to Zero Incidents. Systematic approaches derived from industry best practices may not sound like rocket science, but, working with many operators around the world, we experience many approaches and collect hard evidence on the results of those approaches. We firmly believe that most operators can achieve substantial efficiency gains and cost reductions by taking a value-chain approach. We will discuss a generic Pipeline Integrity Framework that enables the sharing of best practices and adds value to risk-based pipeline integrity decision-making. In addition, the described Framework will be instrumental in harvesting the value of the “digital promise” on data analytics and predictive analytics, ultimately contributing to efficiency and operational cost reduction.

Presenters:
Phil Hopkins, Phil Hopkins Ltd.
Dr. Phil Hopkins is a consulting engineer with more than 35 years’ experience in pipeline engineering. Phil formed his consultancy company in 2015, after being Technical Director with Penspen Ltd in the UK, and previously Managing Director of Andrew Palmer and Associates, in the UK. He has worked with most of the major oil and gas companies and pipeline companies around the world, providing consultancy on management, business, design, maintenance, inspection, risk analysis and safety, and failure investigations. He is the past-chairman of the ASME Pipeline Systems Division, and is a Fellow of ASME. More than 15,000 engineers and technical personnel around the world have attended his courses. He also teaches extensively (as a Visiting Professor) on masters’ programmes at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities in the UK.

Roy van Elteren, Head of Regional Integrity Solutions EU, ROSEN Group
Roy van Elteren leads the Regional Integrity Solutions Business, covering ROSEN's activities in Europe, Africa and Central Asia. He has been involved in consulting and management roles in the oil and gas industry for more than 15 years. Throughout his career, he has been working on Asset Integrity Management and leading teams supporting customers with challenges related to aging assets, operational excellence and the energy transition.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 2 - Data as Intangible Assets

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

6 October 2020, 11 am CEST

Data Management - For Asset Integrity

In this webinar, we will talk about the journey of data from turning raw facts into intangible assets. With the fast growth in technology for collecting the various type of data, it becomes imperative to have a robust data management strategy at the core of company policies that are in-line with the suggestions of ISO 55000 Asset Management Philosophy. In this webinar, we will discuss data, types of data, various formats, quality, analyze, and visualization of them, and harness the value from it for future Asset Integrity Management. Later the same can be utilized to harness even more value when integrated with future tools and techniques such as Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and many more.

Presenter:
Gaurav Singh, Manager Business Line Integrity Systems, Region EU, ROSEN Group
Gaurav is a Civil Engineer with a Doctoral Degree in Information Systems from University of Twente, The Netherlands. He has 14 years of experience in providing software solutions, capacity building in Geospatial and asset management of the oil and gas and infrastructure industry. At ROSEN, he helps clients achieve their digital transformation goals by helping them implement pipeline integrity management systems.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 3 - Data Science for Pipeline Integrity Management

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

13 October 2020, 11 am CEST

"Integrity Analytics" involves the application of data science techniques (such as exploratory data analysis, data visualization, machine learning and computational probability) to everyday challenges of pipeline integrity management. By describing historical trends and creating predictive models, Integrity Analytics techniques can help us to use "big data" more effectively in the pipeline industry. Using a pilot data warehouse containing data for over 5,000 pipelines, it will be shown how Integrity Analytics can provide an alternative route to understanding complex pipeline threats, such as corrosion.

Presenter:
Michael Smith, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Michael Smith is a chartered Chemical Engineer with a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge. Within ROSEN, he leads the development of new asset integrity technologies, with a specific focus on data science.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 4 - Flow Assurance and Pigging Feasibility Studies

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

20 October 2020, 11 am CEST

Flow Assurance and Pigging Feasibility Studies to Optimize Cleaning Operations

• Do you often undertake pipeline cleaning to manage flow assurance issues such as wax, sand, corrosion, slugging etc. or for inspection?
• Is your pipeline a “challenging” asset (deep-water asset, small bends, varying pipe IDs, low pressure/flow, multiphase flow etc.)?
• Is your slugcatcher capacity limited to manage pig generated liquid slugs?

This webinar will demonstrate how ROSEN has successfully combined flow assurance analysis along with pigging feasibility studies in order to optimize pigging in very challenging onshore and offshore pigging applications. This integrated approach has shown significant benefit in quantifying risks, evaluating mitigation strategies, assuring feasibility and developing optimized pigging campaigns.

Presenters:
Paul Westwood, Senior Pigging Feasibility Engineer, ROSEN Group
Paul Westwood is a Senior Pigging Feasibility Engineer possessing expertise in in-line inspection technologies and operations. He has over 24 years’ experience in oil and gas integrity management for onshore and subsea assets, with more than 5 years of consulting-based experience for leading pipeline integrity providers. Paul has performed several piggability assessments and asset appraisals. He is an experienced pipeline professional with a service provider background in pipeline pigging operations. Paul has thorough knowledge of industry best practice, regulatory requirements and trends.

Ashwin Pinto, Senior Flow Assurance Engineer, ROSEN Group
Ashwin Pinto is a Senior Flow Assurance Engineer with expertise in process engineering and development, R&D and flow assurance consulting. He is a chartered Chemical Engineer with over 16 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, mainly in upstream and midstream systems. Ashwin has industry proven experience in steady state and dynamic simulations using industry standard software codes such as OLGA, Ledaflow, Maximus, Pipesim, Hysys, Aspen Plus, Flarenet etc. He has successfully completed several technical engineering studies for various oil and gas clients.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 5 - Corrosion Threat Assessment

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

27 October 2020, 11 am CET

We are in an era where assets are subject to increased regulatory scrutiny and the delicate balance between cost, efficiency, and sustainability continues to be just that, delicate.

In order to enable a safe and sustainable future, we need to address integrity challenges in a holistic and strategic manner, always keeping a long-term strategy in mind. We must be able to answer the question “What might go wrong?” and be proactive to ensure that we are not in a situation asking “What went wrong?” … Anticipating corrosion threats, susceptibility analysis and subsequent corrosion management delivers improved operational reliability and regulatory compliance.

Presenter:
Marguerite Forde, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Marguerite Forde has over 9 years’ experience as a corrosion and integrity management consultant in the oil and gas industry. As a Senior Corrosion Engineer, her expertise focuses on developing internal and external corrosion risk assessment and corrosion control schemes for onshore and subsea pipelines with extensive experience in the delivery and project management of these items. Most recently, she has been applying her corrosion knowledge to flow modelling and how pipeline flow effects corrosion characteristics. Marguerite has a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from University College Cork. She is also qualified as a NACE Senior Internal Corrosion Technologist (SICT).

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 6 - Benefits of Combined Diagnostics

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

3 November 2020, 11 am CET

Pipelines are exposed to a wide range of potential damage mechanisms, which may eventually result in leakage – or worse – if not identified and mitigated at the right time. While single threats may severely compromise the operational safety of a given pipeline, combined threats like corrosion in dents or cracks in corrosion pose an even higher risk to the asset’s overall integrity.

Performing a detailed threat analysis allows clear identification of the type and morphology of the expected integrity threats. Using a variety of modular inspection technologies that can be merged on one tool, allows for a comprehensively assessment of the expected types of threats with a single ILI run. This flexible approach ultimately reduces inspection-related costs and efforts. While each technology is strong on its own, the combination of multiple technologies provides significant added value as the combined evaluation of various data sets leads to more accurate integrity assessments.

Presenter:
Jochen Spalink, Head of Business Line Proficient Pipeline Diagnostics, ROSEN Group
With more than 25 years in the oil and gas industry Jochen Spalink has gathered a wealth of operational experience around pipeline cleaning and inspection. Today, Jochen is heading the Proficient Pipeline Diagnostics business within ROSEN Europe. Always closely aligned to customer needs, the team around Jochen supports pipeline operators with gathering of best possible inspection data from their assets as a basis for sound integrity assessments.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 7 - Outlook: Virtual-Dig Up Service

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

10 November 2020, 11 am CET

ROSEN’s Deep Field Analysis (DFA) technology turns the traditional MFL data evaluation process on its head and facilitates fully combined evaluation of axial and circumferential MFL technologies. DFA uses an iterative approach in combination with finite element analysis to calculate accurate 3D metal loss profiles that can be used to improve burst pressure estimates and increase confidence in repair calls.

Application of the technology is demonstrated through a case study for a liquid pipeline operator in Europe. A recent MFL inspection had reported a significant external corrosion anomaly that traditional MFL sizing and integrity assessment methods had indicated was of a critical size. The next step would have been rapidly scheduled pressure reduction, excavation and repair. The local terrain meant that access to the anomaly was challenging, so high confidence in the excavation decision was required. DFA technology was used to generate a 3D profile for the anomaly, and recent developments in burst pressure estimation were used to improve the overall assessment approach. Historic ILI data was used to investigate corrosion activity, provide a characteristic corrosion rate and establish a safe remaining life, avoiding immediate excavation and allowing planned monitoring.

Presenter:
Andrew Wilde, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Andrew is a Principal Engineer based in ROSEN’s office in Newcastle, UK and manages a team of integrity engineers who provide integrity consultancy support to clients worldwide. Andrew has a mechanical engineering background and has been working in the field of pipeline integrity for 20 years specializing in post in-line inspection integrity assessment.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 8 - Achieving First Run Success

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

17 November 2020, 11 am CET

First run success is a key parameter for anyone who is dealing with the inspection of pipelines. For ILI vendors it is a key indicator for their overall performance and might lead to or prevent future projects, not to mention reputation and costs. For operators it is a major cost factor if they have to deal with a failed inspection and have to plan a re-inspection. In worst cases they have to cut out a stuck tool which takes the pipeline out of service and leads to tremendous efforts and costs.

This webinar will introduce possibilities to ensure first run success or at least to decrease the risk of a failed run to a minimum. In any intelligent pipeline inspection you have to deal with uncertainties that you cannot fully exclude. But there are procedures and measures that can be taken to mitigate risks. These require collaboration and information sharing between pipeline operators and ILI vendors but are indispensable prior to any successful in-line inspection and are therefore part of the ROSEN Pipeline Integrity Framework.

Presenter:
Johannes Spille, International Project Manager, ROSEN Group
Johannes Spille has 6 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and holds a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering. He is working for ROSEN Germany since 2017 as an International Project Manager. In this function, he is leading worldwide projects to execute and roll-out new services - like RoCorr MFL-A Ultra - and is giving technical expertise on the feasibility of ILI projects.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 9 - Advanced Pipeline Cleaning & RoVisual

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

24 November 2020, 11 am CET

In this webinar, we will talk about advanced pipeline cleaning. But what does this actually mean? And why is pipeline cleaning an important aspect of the pipeline integrity framework? This webinar should not only focus on advanced pigging solutions but also provide a more holistic view on pipeline cleaning and show, based on an exemplary case study, the importance of having the right solutions on the one hand but at the same time also the right pigging strategy and operational approach in mind to manage challenging flow assurance issues and contribute to operate pipeline assets safe and at maximum efficiency. Moreover, this webinar should introduce RoVisual, a unique new inspection service. Other than crawling into a pipeline and looking yourself, there is no possible way of seeing its general condition; doing that, of course, is not an option. RoVisual allows this to take place by simply adding this technology – without the need for a tethered camera inspection – to a ROSEN cleaning tool during a regular operational pigging run. We will talk about the broad use and added value of a visual ILI inspection and how it can allow for an additional source of data for future integrity decisions.

Presenter:
Michael Bruns, Sales Manager Field Products & Services, ROSEN Group
Michael Bruns has over 7 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, specifically with a focus on pipeline cleaning. As part of an internal pigging expert group at ROSEN's R&D center in Germany he supported for over 5 years in the development and provision of cleaning products and services for challenging pipeline cleaning applications, as well as consulted on numerous cleaning operations and projects around the world. Since 2 years, he has become a Sales Manager for ROSEN Europe in the same field applying his knowledge to provide our customers with high quality pigging solutions to manage flow assurance issues and ensure their pipeline assets are operated safe and at maximum efficiency. Michael has a Master's degree in Business Chemistry & Engineering from the University of Münster in Germany.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 10 - Material Properties

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

1 December 2020, 11 am CET

Material Verification is the process of verifying or re-establishing key data including the strength grade, toughness, wall thickness, seam type and diameter. These data are critical to safe pipeline operation and Integrity Management.

Material properties are fundamental to safe MAOP and operating pressures, being used directly in Fitness for Service assessments to address metal loss and crack-like features. Where material properties are based on general assumptions or incorrect data these assessments are not representative of true properties and can lead to areas of unknown risk and unsafe operation.

Conversion of existing pipelines to hydrogen service also poses risks where material properties are unknown. Firstly, the pipe materials present within a pipeline must be identified, and secondly the risk or susceptibility to embrittlement or hydrogen assisted cracking mechanisms must be identified and assessed.

ROSEN’s Material Property Services work within the Pipeline Integrity Framework to provide a complete and flexible solution to the operator’s specific aims for Material Verification, incorporating In-Line Inspection (ILI), in-situ or destructive testing, engineering assessments and Integrity Management. Central to this approach is RoMat PGS, a unique ILI service that provides the strength and grade for each individual pipe within the inspected pipeline. Moreover, a data integration approach builds upon this data to group pipes into ‘populations’ with shared properties and attributes, creating a ‘Pipeline DNA’ and laying the foundations for fully informed Integrity Management processes for the remaining life of the pipeline.

Presenters:
Ollie Burkinshaw, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Ollie is a Materials Engineer with ROSEN Integrity Solutions, where he works on the delivery of RoMat PGS projects and development of Material Verification services. He holds a Master’s degree in Materials Science & Metallurgy from the University of Cambridge.

Jason Edwards, Project Manager, ROSEN Group
Jason is a Project Manager at the ROSEN Group where he coordinates the RoMat services PGS & DMG. Prior to coming to ROSEN, he worked for a gas operator in Australia for 6 years across operations and integrity management and holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 11 - Benefits of MFL Ultra

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

19 January 2021, 11 am CET

The principle of Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) for identifying metal loss defects in pipelines has been known since the 19th century. In the 1960s, the first MFL in-line inspection (ILI) tools were introduced. From then on, continuous improvement of this technology took place. Today, a common standard MFL tool is able to detect metal loss defects down to 10 mm in size. However, in recent years we have seen a higher demand for technologies that can detect defects even smaller than 10 mm. Therefore, ROSEN has made great efforts to further develop the capabilities of MFL tools with increased resolution and detection thresholds.

However, the question is, why should you care about defects that are only 5 mm, 3 mm or 1 mm in size? Are they even a threat to your pipeline, even if you can barely see them with your eyes? This webinar will focus on these very questions and the benefits of ultra-high resolution MFL technology.

Presenters:
Johannes Spille, International Project Manager, ROSEN Group
Johannes Spille has six years of experience in the oil and gas industry and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. He joined ROSEN in 2017 as an International Project Manager. In this role, he is leading global projects to execute and launch new services – such as RoCorr MFL-A Ultra – and providing technical expertise on the feasibility of ILI projects.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 12 - EMAT/UT Crack Detection

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

26 January 2021, 11 am CET

Let's get cracking – An introduction to ROSEN’s crack detection in-line inspection (ILI) technologies and how to manage cracks using ROSEN’s Crack Management Framework.

This webinar will provide an understanding of what cracking threats exist in pipelines and the technologies ROSEN offers to detect and size them (EMAT & UT), along with the challenges associated with these data sets. We will review how we can maximize the value of these data sets by better understanding these challenges using the ROSEN Crack Management Framework. This framework includes the key elements of a program needed to understand, quantify and effectively manage the threat of cracking.

Presenters:
Joerg Grillenberger, Technical Solutions Specialist, ROSEN Group
Joerg Grillenberger has more than 13 years of experience with ROSEN’s EMAT technology and holds a Master’s degree in Geoinformatics.
As Technical Solutions Specialist, he is supporting Sales and customers with his technical expertise on the feasibility of crack-detection ILI projects.

Michael Palmer, Principal Integrity Engineer, ROSEN Group
Michael Palmer has been with ROSEN for over ten years, where he focuses on supporting clients with their pipeline integrity management needs.
He has a Master's degree in Mechanical and Material Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, and is a chartered engineer with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, UK. He has completed and managed multiple fitness-for-purpose, corrosion growth, and risk assessments, as well as supported clients worldwide in managing their cracking threats. Michael is the engineering lead for the ROSEN crack management services group in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 13 - Challenging Pipeline Inspections

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

2 February 2021, 11 am CET

This session will explain the difference between conventional (piggable) and challenging (unpiggable or difficult to inspect) pipelines. What makes a pipeline unpiggable or difficult to inspect? How can these pipelines be inspected with special in-line inspection (ILI) tools for geometry, metal loss/corrosion/wall thickness and cracks? Which technologies are available for these challenging pipelines? Which solutions are available in the ROSEN/KTN Toolbox for pipelines without flow? In addition, some short case studies will be shown.

Presenters:
Ulrich Schneider, Business Development Manager, ROSEN Group
Ulrich Schneider has experience in oil and gas, and pipelines since 1981. Before he joined KTN in 2014, which is now part of the ROSEN Group, he spent eight years as a pipeline operator and twelve years each with two inspection vendors. Ulrich holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked in various positions as project manager, in sales and operations, and is now Business Development Manager for KTN/ROSEN Group. He was involved in hundreds of pipeline inspection projects, presented many papers on international pipeline conferences and conducted trainings and seminars on pipeline inspection for customers and operators.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 14 - Direct Assessment

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

9 February 2021, 11 am CET

Integrity management of challenging pipelines is a concern for all operators. Even with the extensive technology toolbox available today, there may not be an economic internal inspection solution for some pipelines or segments. For these cases, the industry generally applies a process known as Direct Assessment (DA). To support operators, the ROSEN Group provides DA services that are unique due to the combinations of technologies we deploy and the fundamental understanding of threats and degradation rates we have gained from dealing with internal inspection of many thousands of pipelines around the world.

Presenter:
Lewis Barton, Senior Engineer, ROSEN Group
Lewis Barton has over nine years of experience as a corrosion and integrity management consultant in the oil and gas industry. As a Senior Corrosion Engineer, Lewis focuses on delivering pre- and post-ILI services such as corrosion threat assessments and audits, corrosion modelling, and corrosion management plans to optimize operational mitigation and controls. Within ROSEN, Lewis specializes in non-piggable and challenging pipeline solutions utilizing the Internal and External Direct Assessment (ICDA/ECDA) methodologies. Most recently, he has developed solutions for the application of ICDA within complex gas distribution networks and has also integrated Stress Corrosion Tomography results into ECDA and ICDA to improve the reliability and detectability of corrosion defects, further refine excavation location selection, and optimize costs.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: SESSION 15 – SCREENING FOR SUSPECTED THREATS

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

23 February 2021, 11 am CET

The increasing amount and type of In-line Inspection (ILI) data collected increases the time needed to provide reliable results and the challenges in addressing the most critical concerns in the pipe data. By using recorded data, additional pipe information, and specialized processes, we are able to address the most critical anomalies/areas earlier and redirect our early evaluation efforts to best measure these anomalies and their surrounding areas. This way, we ensure that the most critical anomalies and/or areas in the pipe are communicated to our customers as soon as possible after the run is completed.

Presenter:
Hazem Rahmah, Lead Process Professional, ROSEN Group
Hazem Rahmah has 16 years of experience within pipeline inspection, mainly in evaluation and technical support. He is responsible for executing new ROSEN services in the market, with a focus on MFL-related services. His responsibilities include services related to corrosion, geometry, pipe material, mapping, integrity management, and others. In addition, he is responsible for developing processes to execute the evaluation part of the services and ensure the highest quality of work in the most efficient way with the goal of delivering a reliable product that meets our customer’s expectations. Global project experience helps to understand different customer challenges and ensures that the necessary actions are taken to address customer concerns within the service provided.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 16 - Code Compliance/Combined Defects

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

2 March 2021, 11 am CET

Defect assessment codes have been widely accepted and understood for many years and for a variety of defect types. Based on experimental data and/or significant research and experience, assessment codes have depth-based and/or pressure-based limits, which include inherent conservatisms within them. For combined defect types that are reported as coincident, however, the codified limits of acceptability are less prescriptive and further engineering assessment is often required to avoid intervention. This talk provides an overview of some key considerations when assessing coincident defects, and the various levels of assessment that can be achieved.

Presenter:
Paul Bailes, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Paul Bailes has over twelve years of experience in both the onshore and offshore pipeline industries, including proposal development, site work, high-level consultancy and project management. His skills relate to external MFL inspection and data interrogation, pipeline condition assessment, and providing technical service to the gas distribution, transmission and storage sectors. In addition, he has experience in writing high-level integrity management procedures for flexible pipelines (FIMS) and associated sub-level procedures, as well as technical audits and fitness-for-purpose assessments of pipelines within the offshore industry. He gained further experience in project management of integrity-related studies and assessments, specifically within Central Europe and CIS, and in the provision of integrity management training. He currently manages a team of eleven Integrity Engineers, delivering work for clients in the UK, Central Europe and CIS.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 17 – The Importance of Field Verification and Cathodic Protection Data

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

9 March 2021, 11 am CET

As pipeline infrastructure ages, it is often the case that many of these assets are operating well beyond their original design philosophy, accordingly, managing integrity issues has never been more challenging. Therefore, it is critical that when operational data is collected in the field, the quality and accuracy is of the highest possible standard, as integrity-based operational decisions are often derived from the assessment of field data.

While in-line inspection (ILI) data is often considered the most important data set when assessing pipeline infrastructure, the importance of high-quality cathodic protection, coating, and field verification data supports ILI in numerous ways by providing confidence in the inspection technology and compelling information about the WHY factor when it comes to understanding root causes. In addition, in cases where ILI is not achievable, the only aspects under which integrity can be managed is the field data collected.

Presenter:
Dave Baglin, Workgroup Lead, ROSEN Group
Dave Baglin has ten years of experience performing pipeline integrity assessments in the field on a global basis, ranging from above ground survey work, cathodic protection investigative and installation work to in-ditch non-destructive engineering and investigative scopes. He is currently responsible for the day-to-day technical and logistical management of the ISER field service teams in the ROSEN Newcastle office.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 18 – Benefits of Implementation of a Pipeline Repair Management Process

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

23 March 2021, 11 am CET

Pipeline repairs are frequently performed on almost all pipelines. The industry is governed by tables that recommend repair types for specific anomalies and mandatory requirements for generic steel sleeves and composite repairs. When considering what makes a successful pipeline repair, repair selection, although critical, is only one aspect. A number of other factors such as repair qualification, assessment/design, competency and QA/QC are all part of a successful repair. The session will discuss the main components of a successful repair and how they can be controlled as part of a repair management procedure.

Presenter:
Will Sharman, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
William Sharman has 34 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He has worked in operator companies, as a repair vendor, in a repair consultancy, and as a regional director of an integrity consultancy.His project experience includes the specification and design of standoff pressure-containing repairs, large-scale rehabilitation programs, EPRS scheme development and implementation, vendor appraisals and the development of repair management systems as well as the support of emergency field repairs. In addition, he delivers the pipeline repair and maintenance lecture, as part of the Newcastle University, Onshore Pipeline Engineering MSc.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 19 – Advances in Corrosion Growth Assessment

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

13 April 2021, 11 am CEST

Accurate estimates of corrosion growth behavior are important for effective integrity management to reduce uncertainty in future predictions and enable continued safe and economic pipeline operation. Following a brief description of conventional methods of corrosion growth assessment from repeated in-line inspection (ILI) data, this presentation will show how computer vision and machine learning can be used to enhance the corrosion behavior estimates resulting from these methods. It will further demonstrate how corrosion growth distributions can be estimated for a pipeline when in-line inspection data is not available.

Presenter:
Paul Bailes, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Paul Bailes has more than twelve years of experience in both the onshore and offshore pipeline industries, including proposal development, site work, high-level consultancy and project management. His skills relate to external MFL inspection and data interrogation, pipeline condition assessment, and providing technical service to the gas distribution, transmission and storage sectors. In addition, he has experience in writing high-level integrity management procedures for flexible pipelines (FIMS) and associated sub-level procedures, as well as technical audits and fitness-for-purpose assessments of pipelines within the offshore industry. He gained further experience in project management of integrity-related studies and assessments, specifically within Central Europe and CIS, and in the provision of integrity management training. He currently manages a team of eleven Integrity Engineers, delivering work for clients in the UK, Central Europe and CIS.

Please note, you will be re-directed to the Competence Club.

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 20 – Risk Analysis and Risk Management

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

20 April 2021, 11 am CEST

Risk management is a key element of a goal-orientated approach to pipeline integrity management. The risk management process includes the analysis of threats to pipeline integrity and the consequences of a failure event, as well as the assessment of acceptable risk levels. The type of risk analysis can vary from fully qualitative to fully quantitative, where the selection of the approach should align with the objectives of the assessment.
This session will introduce the basic principles of pipeline risk assessment, discuss the different analysis and assessment approaches that are available, and demonstrate how risk assessment is an important part of pipeline integrity management.

Presenter:
Katy Taylor, Principal Engineer, ROSEN Group
Kathy Taylor has more than 15 years of experience in mechanical and statistical modelling and interpretation and analysis of data. She has experience in pipeline risk, integrity and design engineering, as well as expertise in numerical data analysis and the development of business and strategic plans. Her specific skills relate to the preparation of Risk-based Inspection (RBI) studies and Structural Reliability Analysis (SRA), as well as the participation in Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRA).

Tech Talk Tuesday: Session 21 – The Role of Training and Competence Development in Integrity Frameworks

Pipeline Integrity Framework Series

25 May 2021, 11 pm CEST

We have all undergone huge changes in business over the past year. Many of us have been working from home, attending virtual meetings and avoiding travel. Remarkably, this has worked very well; however, there are some challenges when it comes to training and competence management in times of crisis. We have seen reductions in staff pools, training budget cuts, change of roles, and lack of mentoring.

Training and competence development is a key part of our integrity frameworks. It is required by standards, regulations – it is therefore business critical and not a ‘nice to have’. We cannot afford our ‘people barrier’ in our integrity management system to have any additional gaps due to the challenging times we are facing.

In this session, we will discuss how companies can both retain and even increase staff competence when faced with difficult decisions in these times of crisis. The presentation will also cover an innovative competence initiative designed by industry experts working in the training and competency development sector.

Presenter:
Michelle Unger, Head of Group Business Line 'Education Systems and Services', ROSEN Group
Michelle is the Head of the Group Business Line 'Education Systems and Services' for the ROSEN Group, and is based in the UK. She has over 25 years of experience: her early career involved pipeline integrity consultancy, but her more recent experience is in technical training, learning, education, and competence development. Michelle is a Visiting Lecturer at Newcastle University in the UK, and was a member of the development team of the MSc in Subsea Engineering and Management at Newcastle University. She was also the Program Director of the Distance Learning MSc in Pipeline Integrity Management at Northumbria University in the UK, which was awarded the ASME Global Pipeline Award in 2014. Michelle is a Civil Engineer with a Masters in Pipeline Hydraulics. She has a Postgraduate Degree (PgC) in Advanced Academic Practice from Newcastle University, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK.