The Pipeline Defect Assessment Manual (PDAM)

06/04/03

Pipeline operators around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the deleterious effect of defects and damage in their pipelines. Indeed, new federal regulations in the USA now require pipeline operators to procatively manage their assets integrity and assess the significance of defects that are expected or detected. Additionally, the American Petroleum Institute (API 1160) and the Amercian Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME B31.8S) have recently issued guidance on integrity management of pipelines, and emphasise the need to assess defect significance; however, there is no internationally accepted standard or code for assessing damaged pipelines.

Fifteen international companies recognised the need to produce a manual that contained 'best practice' methods for assessing the integrity of pipelines containing defects, and supported a Joint Industry Project called 'The Pipeline Defect Assessment Manual (PDAM)'.

The sponsors contributed $400,000 in total, and contracted Penspen Ltd (UK) to produce the Manual. It contains methods for assessing a wide range of pipeline defects, such as corrosion, dents and gouges. The Manual is supported by extensive literature reviews and spreadsheets to aid calculations, and it has been externally reviewed and audited by international experts in pipeline integrity.

The final version of the Manual was issued to the sponsors in 2003. The sponsors are continuing the project, and are meeting in June 2003 to discuss further improvements to the PDAM, and allow other sponsors to join.

New sponsors receive all the deliverables of the original PDAM project, including the manual and spreadsheets, and can take an active role in the update.

More details on PDAM are on www.penspenintegrity.com, or by emailing queries to integrity.ncl@penspen.com.