The Why and How of Data Integration for Integrity Management Pursuant to API TR 1178

Abstract

Data integration is a foundational element and a regulatory requirement for pipeline operators as part of an Integrity Management (IM) program. Having taken effect in July 2020, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) new Gas Mega Rule heavily emphasizes the requirement for the validation of data and records. As a result, pipeline operators must face new challenges to ensure they are in continuous regulatory compliance. Data integration plays a major role in supporting pipeline operators and engineering consultants as they adjust to the new requirements set forth in regulations. The Integrity Management (IM) regulations require pipeline operators to include the results of the latest as well as of previous integrity evaluations, including risk assessment information based on integrated data from the entire pipeline. Leveraging this data and the analysis thereof is required when making decisions regarding the course of action to address pipeline threats. The American Petroleum Institute (API) Technical Report (TR) 1178, “Integrity Data Management and Integration,” provides a compendium of systematic methodologies, recommendations and processes to spatially integrate and normalize integrity data to empower pipeline operators to efficiently analyze integrity-related data to support their integrity management decisions and programs. Through the execution of multiple post-ILI service projects, the significance of this TR has been realized as a cornerstone to support pipeline operators in their efforts to meet the requirements of new regulations and achieve compliance. In the present case study, ILI results from various inspections gathered from over 179 post-ILI data integration projects for a mid-size pipeline operator located in the southern United States — totaling over 5,500 mi of pipe segments and ranging in diameter from 10″ to 24″ — were analyzed following the core processes described in API TR 1178. The datasets — ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of integrity data records from different sources including a variety of in-line inspection (ILI) tool technologies and service providers — were interpreted to distinguish pipe features or references from anomalies. Subsequent analyses were applied to the integrated datasets and delivered per the pipeline operator’s specifications. This effort greatly supported a seamless transition to achieve compliance with the new regulations and help to establish reporting requirements for technology and inspection service providers. The operator now has a complete historical ILI database. As it is fully integrated into the GIS system of record, the pipeline operator is able to transition into advanced analytics, helping them to spot trends and make sounder integrity management decisions long-term.