Defect Assessment in Pipelines
Led by Dr. Phil Hopkins
July 20-22, 2020: Long Beach, CA
Courses with the 
symbol have been evaluated by the QPPI and their contents are aligned to their competency standards set out in the Competency Standards Manual for Pipeline Integrity Management. More information is available on the QPPI website: http://qualificationpanel.com/
| Day 1 | |
| 7:30am | Registration & coffee |
| 8:00am-5:00pm | Course |
| Day 2 | |
| 8:00am-5:00pm | Course |
| Day 3 | |
| 8:00am-noon | Course |
Organized in association with Penspen Integrity
"Through this required program...an operator must evaluate all defects and...
develop a schedule that prioritizes the defects for evaluation
and repair."
—from the Final DOT Rule: Pipeline Integrity Management in High Consequence Areas
Many transmission pipelines are now over 50 years old. This is "middle aged" in pipeline terms, and even the best designed and maintained pipeline will become defective as it progresses through its design life. Therefore, operators need to be aware of the effect these defects will have on their pipeline, and — more importantly — be able to assess their significance in terms of the continuing integrity of the pipeline. The increasing use of high-technology maintenance (for example, intelligent pigs) is helping pipeline owners to assess the condition of their lines, and if these modern maintenance methods are combined with modern defect-assessment methods, they can provide a very powerful, and cost-effective, tool. This course, organized in association with Penspen Integrity, will present the latest defect-assessment methods to pipeline engineers and managers. These methods will range from simple, quick, assessment methods, to the more-detailed —fitness for purpose— analysis. The course is highly interactive and takes the form of lectures, workshops, and case studies.
Regulatory authorities and standards bodies now require pipeline engineers to have demonstrable competencies. Competence is gained from a combination of skills, experience, and knowledge. ASME B31Q defines skill as "... the ability to perform mental and physical activities acquired or developed through training or experience," and ASME B31.4 defines experience as "... work activities accomplished... under the direction of qualified supervision... but not including time spent in organized training program." Training is thus a key element of competency. PHMSA defines training as "… an educational or instructional process (e.g., classroom, computer-based, or on-the-job) by which an individual's knowledge, skills, and his/her capacity to do or act, physically and/or mentally, are improved." It is essential that any training a pipeline engineer undergoes is contributing to his/her competencies, and can be shown to be doing this. This course is based on classes in Master Degree programs at UK universities, and has been presented for over 15 years. The trainers are demonstrably world authorities. This combination of an established course and elite trainers allows companies to state that their engineers have attended a training course that is demonstrably best practice.
The course will cover methods available to assess the significance of defects detected in onshore and offshore pipelines. It will introduce simple analytical methods used to assess internal and external corrosion, dents and gouges, cracks (e.g. SCC), weld defects, and fatigue. The course is unique as it is a holistic approach to defect assessment, and it ensures the student appreciates all aspects of the subject, including repair and risk management.
Pipeline engineers, designers and service professionals who are involved with the maintenance, inspection, and repair of pipelines.
All delegates will receive a detailed set of lecture notes totaling more than 500 pages, providing an invaluable reference document.
Upon completion of the course, participants will be eligible to receive1.4 CEUs.
Dr. Phil Hopkins has over 35 years' experience in pipeline engineering, and is an independent consultant based in Newcastle, UK. Prior to establishing his consultancy, Phil was Technical Director with the engineering company Penspen Ltd., and Managing Director of the pipeline engineering consultancy Andrew Palmer and Associates. 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 has served on many other professional committees, including the British Standards Institution, European Pipeline Research Group, the Pipeline Research Committee International, and the DNV Pipeline Committee. More than 6000 engineers and technical personnel around the world have attended his courses. He has also contributed extensively to master's programs at Newcastle and Northumbria universities in the UK.
Introduction to Basic Pipeline Engineering Principles
Understanding Fatigue (handouts and notes only, no lecture)
Fundamental Pipeline Defect Failure Relationships
Workshop: Corrosion Assessment using Fitness for Purpose
How to Assess Gouges
