Summary of the Services Provided by PIE

Interpretation of Legislation

All activities associated with the design, construction and operation of high pressure pipelines in the UK are carried out under a goal setting legislative regime. The aim is to ensure that pipeline operators establish adequate safety standards and that these are maintained and improved, through good management and the application of new technology. PIE has the experience and expertise to interpret legislative requirements and define compliance in terms of accepted engineering standards and practice.

Fitness for Purpose Assessment

During service, pipelines are subject to duty-based and time-based deterioration and random damage. ln addition, changes in duty may require that operating conditions differ from original design conditions. PIE has the expertise to assess the applied loading, quantify the integrity and evaluate the change in risk to determine whether a pipeline is fit for purpose.

Surveillance, Monitoring, Inspection and Maintenance Strategies

The life cycle management of the safe operation and integrity of pipelines is dependent upon the control of damage. Strategies for surveillance, monitoring, inspection and maintenance depend upon the location, duty, age and operational history of the asset under consideration. PIE has the operational experience to assess these aspects and to recommend safe, practical and cost effective strategies.

Revalidation and Uprating

Pipelines are distributed, high value assets and, in many cases, revalidation and/or uprating provide the most reasonably practicable strategies for future operations. As duty holder under the Pipelines Safety Regulations, the operator must provide a safety and technical justification to the HSE to demonstrate that the pipelines and associated installations are fit for purpose for continued operation. PIE has the technical expertise, operational and project management experience to develop and implement pipeline revalidation and uprating of pipelines and associated assets.

Risk and Environmental Assessment

Risk and environmental assessments are essential requirements of all aspects of pipeline development and operation and results, decisions and future strategy are sensitive to assumptions inherently required as part of the process. PIE offers specialist advice, strategic management, and technical capability, including specialist software relating to these activities.

Project Management

PIE offers project management expertise covering feasibility studies, conceptual and detail design, materials procurement, special operations, commissioning and handover relating to the construction of new facilities and the revalidation and uprating of existing facilities.

Technical Audits

PIE also offers a comprehensive technical audit service relating to all activities associated with the development of new pipelines and/or associated installations and the revalidation and uprating of existing facilities.