What Does
Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) Mean?
Pipeline integrity management (PIM) is a system used by pipeline owners and operators to ensure a pipeline's safety from its conception to its retirement. Pipeline integrity management is used to address many aspects including health, safety, and environment (HSE), engineering, inspection, maintenance and other branches of pipeline labor.
Corrosionpedia Explains Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM)
Pipeline integrity management (PIM) is becoming increasingly important as more and more regulations are placed on pipeline construction and operation.
A pipeline failure can have devastating effects on the environment and human life, which makes it very important for pipeline owners and operators to ensure their pipelines are safe. (Read also: Integrity Management: How Ultrasonic Inline Inspection Enhances Safety.)
How Do You Measure Pipeline Integrity?
Having an appropriate pipeline integrity management plan is an integral part of measuring and maintaining pipeline integrity. Items included in a pipeline integrity management system include:
- Monitoring of pipeline corrosion
- Pressure testing
- Evaluating pipeline discontinuities
- Evaluating soil condition
- Many other activities
A pipeline integrity management system continues until the pipeline is retired or replaced. It is constantly updated and evaluated as new standards, concerns and conditions develop.