TDWdzԹs pipeline technology day
Published by Stephanie Roker,
Editor
World dzԹ,
Is my pipeline piggable? How clean is clean? WhatdzԹs the safest way to do a hot tap? Is there a better way to find more defects the first time?
Those were some of the questions asked by the 200+ pipeline professionals who gathered to learn more about ensuring pipeline integrity at T.D. Williamson (TDW) Technology Day, 12 May, at the Marriott Westchase in Houston.
The answers came in the form of equipment demonstrations, break-out technical presentations, and plenty of individual and group discussions.
At Technology Day, participants can see, touch, and gain a better understanding of products and processes that improve integrity. As one pipeline engineer explained, it was the first time hedzԹd had a chance to observe the products that he orders on a daily basis.
Technology Day also includes a traditional crawfish boil that helps create a relaxed and congenial atmosphere. Participants freely exchange information and ideas with one another, and TDW can find out whatdzԹs on the minds of pipeline operators.
dzԹThe value is in the conversation.dzԹ
This year, one of the chief issues was keeping integrity high while commodity prices are low.
According to a pipeline integrity engineer at a company that operates pipelines, terminals, and storage facilities, in a down economy companies may have to cut back on capital spending, but integrity management remains steady.
dzԹEveryone is working to be as prudent as possible,dzԹ he said. dzԹWedzԹre doing everything we can to understand our pipe, including inline inspection (ILI), corrosion control, and damage identification.dzԹ
He said that Technology Day enabled him to gain a more thorough understanding of how various components work together to better integrate data, improve inline assessments, and provide a clearer picture of what needs to be done in terms of maintenance and repair.
Consultant Brent Phelps, P.E., added that although prices are down and new construction has slowed, problems like corrosion dondzԹt take a holiday. Maintenance goes on, he said, and regulations dondzԹt change with oil price. As a result, knowing whatdzԹs in the market to aid maintenance and integrity is as important as ever, and seeing it in person is better than just reading or hearing about it.
For Brent Solomon, TDW pipeline integrity sales manager, Technology Day is an opportunity to listen to operators without distractions.
dzԹThe value is in the conversation,dzԹ he said. dzԹIdzԹm learning as much from the operator as he is from me dzԹ probably even more.dzԹ
Technology Day began as an open house held in conjunction with the launch of the TDW sales and service centre in Pasadena, TX, in 2007. Since then, the event has become an annual tradition that attracts hundreds of attendees from the Gulf Coast area.
Edited from source by
Read the article online at: /business-news/03062016/tdws-pipeline-technology-day/
You might also like
The World dzԹ Podcast
A podcast series for energy professionals featuring short, insightful interviews with experts who can shed light on topics that matter to you and your business. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to start listening today.

