October 2011
PPIM Europe
Prague, Czech Republic
Conference Paper
Pipeline Integrity Monitoring and the Application of Molecular Microbiological Methods
Pipeline integrity monitoring programmes (PIMP) are carried out on a regular basis, usually quarterly. A series of analyses are performed on the pipeline fluids and pipeline pigging solids, when appropriate, in order to assess the corrosivity of the fluids towards the pipeline materials of construction.
In addition to the routine water parameter analyses, such as pH, dissolved iron, dissolved CO2 and H2S etc, a full suite of bacterial analyses are also carried out, including MPN, DAPI and FISH, in order to fully characterise the type and extent of bacterial proliferation. Furthermore, direct measurements of corrosivity are performed using LPR and CEION techniques.
Trend information, obtained from successive quarterly PIMP results, can highlight potential pipeline integrity issues, and corrective action can be instigated in order to mitigate corrosion.
