New pipeline conference is full of integrity

Citation

(2008), "New pipeline conference is full of integrity", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 55 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2008.12855cac.005

New pipeline conference is full of integrity

Article Type: Conferences, training and publications From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 55, Issue 3.

Maintaining the integrity of pipelines for continued safe and efficient operation has never been more important. Any loss of integrity that results in reduced performance or failure can have an immediate impact on safety and the environment. Reduced pipeline availability can also restrict revenues through disruption to industry and consumers. Failures that lead to environmental damage or litigation and adversely affect public perception and the reputation of the operator may be even worse.

Industries that rely on pipelines take great care to ensure the correct design, operation, inspection and maintenance that preserves the integrity of these valuable assets. Skilled engineers, with relevant experience and up-to-date tools, meet the immediate and changing demands of pipeline transmission and distribution companies. Despite the precautions failures still occur and, more worryingly, seem to be on the increase.

An ageing and, in some sectors, poorly maintained pipeline infrastructure, the need to operate well beyond design lifetimes, changes in the nature of the products being transported, and changing operating approaches all present pipeline operators with unique and demanding challenges. Massive new construction projects involving cross-border transportation increase the complexity of risk assessment and mitigation.

BHR Group's First International Conference on Pipeline Integrity aims to meet demand for authoritative information about best practice and new techniques by bringing together the world's the best professionals, experience and technology. The organisers have issued a call for papers for presentation at this new event which will be held in Schiphol, The Netherlands, November 5-7, 2008.

The conference provides a unique forum for the leading industrial exponents of pipeline integrity and the related disciplines of design, risk assessment, operation, inspection and maintenance. Delegates will be able to share their experiences and present the latest engineering philosophies, innovative technologies, materials and best practice to meet current and evolving demands of pipelines.

The organisers recognise the wealth of knowledge within the oil and gas, petrochemical and water and waste industries and invite papers on current techniques and new developments from these and other sectors. Case studies that present learning experiences gained from solving actual problems and meeting new challenges will be especially welcome as they are always identified by delegates as providing some of the most valuable contributions to a technical conference. Authors offering new papers on major projects and novel solutions will also be prioritised.

It is likely that papers accepted for presentation will cover one of the following areas: design; inspection techniques; long-term reliability; risk assessment and data gathering; cathodic protection; life cycle analysis; data analysis; SCC/hydro; asset management; maintenance embrittlement; safety, security and insurance; rehabilitation and remediation; ECDA/ICDA.

The conference is designed for people involved with the design, creation, operation and maintenance of pipelines including end-users, consultants, applicators, pipeline operators, construction managers, manufacturers, researchers, designers, coating manufacturers, contractors, inspection companies and developers. The programme will include two workshops covering cathodic protection and pipeline maintenance led by world experts in these fields. Focused on the practical issues related to implementing ISO 15156, each workshop will be held at the end of the first two conference days.

Further information about the conference can be obtained from www.bhrgroup.co.uk/confsite/