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The pipeline industry is undeniably important. There’s always product flowing through pipelines, even when the upstream and downstream markets stagnate. Most people outside the industry are unaware of the essential role this infrastructure plays in their day-to-day lives. Without it running properly, life would be very different from the way we know it today.
However, the pipeline industry’s safety record has been a major concern in the public eye for the past five decades. After many notable events resulting in devastating consequences for human life, the environment and property, the pipeline industry as a whole has worked diligently to improve safety. This effort has benefited not only the public, but pipeline companies and shareholders. By improving safety, reliability and efficiency, companies have also created more profitable ventures. However, there is still so much pipeliners, and the industry at large, can learn from each other as we work towards a zero-incident future. This continues to remain our collective mission.
On top of this, worry about the “silver tsunami” -- the wave of highly qualified workers retiring soon – looms gravely. The serious matter of information exchange is right in front of us. Information exchange is simply the passing of information from one well-experienced group to a less-experienced group. We must commit to sharing our knowledge amongst our colleagues and peers in all industries, but especially the midstream oil and gas sector – before it’s too late. Without the critical knowledge these soon-to-be-retirees hold being passed on, our pipelines will surely be less safe and the industry less resilient.
How do we solve this issue?
The best way to get people to talk about their common problems – so they can solve them – is to get them together around a singular imperative: your problems today are my problems tomorrow. 37 years ago, Clarion Technical Conferences created a forum for just this purpose – the Pipeline Pigging and Integrity Management Conference & Exhibition (PPIM).
It's happening in downtown Houston this month, at the George R. Brown Center January 27-31. More than 3,800 pipeline integrity specialists will get together to share experience and solutions. Supported by a technology expo that involves 170+ companies from around the world.
PPIM is the largest technical exhibition of its kind in the world: It’s the place where the needs of pipeline operators and the capabilities of service and equipment suppliers intersect. This is the place to get answers to all your pipeline problems, and to discover what’s on the horizon for our industry. Luck favors the prepared, after all.
36 years of experience
More than 60% of PPIM participants are ‘repeat attenders’ and more than 90% of their exhibitors return each year. This year the hot topics will be inspecting pipeline cracks and long seam welds, assessing geohazards, and conversion of pipeline networks for transporting hydrogen. The technical program has over 100 different presentations that will focus on these and other developments in pipeline inspection, assessment and repair technology and engineering.
For more information, visit ppimconference.com.
