Quality Assurance of Pipeline Fittings Project

28 – 29 June 2017

Summary

The National Energy Board (NEB) is hosting a Technical Workshop on Quality Assurance for Pipeline Fittings on 28 – 29 June 2017 at the Metropolitan Centre in Calgary Alberta (333-4 Ave. SW).

This initiative is linked to Safety Advisory SA 2016-01A2 and a proposed Order which would require NEB-regulated companies to report to the Board on pipeline fittings that do not meet specifications. Information on these measures is available on the NEB website.

The Workshop purpose is to identify potential actions or solutions to improve quality assurance for Pipeline components throughout the supply chain.

Contents

Summary

Contents

Workshop Objectives

Program

Workshop Objectives

Defining the Issue:

Assess the extent to which Pipeline fittings may be susceptible to failing to meet specifications and identify the potential risk to Pipeline safety based on evidence to date.

This will include a review of cases where fitting properties did not meet requirements and an identification of the significance of the potential hazard.

Manufacturing Issues:

Identify possible issues related to fitting manufacturing processes.

This will assess issues that could occur from the selection of the base material to the production of a fitting. It will also identify the manufacturer’s Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) processes and procedures, including relationships to standards.

Company Procurement Issues:

Identify deficiencies in procedures, standards and regulations, which may affect the quality assurance of Pipeline fittings.

This will include:

  • understanding company QA requirements for procurement of Pipeline fittings and QC procedures for inspections and testing;
  • identifying what standards are applicable and where there may be opportunities for improvement; and
  • identifying the role regulators have in the QA/QC processes.

Action Plan:

Identify possible actions to improve quality assurance for new, previously purchased and currently in service Pipeline fittings.

Recommended actions will include those to be implemented by the NEB as well as those where the NEB can work on continual improvement initiatives with industry associations, standards associations and other regulators.

Program

Wednesday 28 June 2017

Wednesday 28 June 2017

8:00 – 8:15am

Registration and Coffee

8:15am

Workshop Format: Facilitator

8:20 – 8:30am

Welcome: Peter Watson, CEO and Chair, National Energy Board

8:30 – 9:20am

Session 1

Overview of Quality Assurance for Pipeline Fittings
DNV-GL

An explanation of the pipeline components production process; the quality assurance check points typically in the supply chain for pipeline components; and the extent to which pipeline fittings may be susceptible to not meeting specifications

9:20 – 9:50am

Session 2

Regulator’s Perspective
NEB, PHMSA, ABSA

Reasons the regulator believes this issue is important and why steps must be taken to prevent future occurrences. Identifying the role regulators have in the QA/QC processes

9:50 – 10:10am

Coffee and Networking

10:10 – 10:50am

Session 3

Pipeline Company Quality Assurance Procedures – Design/Procurement
TransCanada PipeLines, Enbridge

Understanding company QA requirements for procurement of pipeline fittings and identifying what standards are applicable and where there may be opportunities for improvement

10:50 – 11:30am

Session 4

Pipeline Company Quality Assurance Procedures – Installation Inspection and Testing
Enbridge, Rosen Group

Pipeline company QC procedures for inspections and testing including standards requirements.

11:30 – 12:00pm

Session 5

Traceability of Pipeline Components by Pipeline Companies
Vintri Technologies Inc.

What a company should track to identify risks with pipeline components before and after installation

12:00 Noon

Lunch Provided

1:00 – 1:30pm

Session 6

Third party Inspection Procedures and Standards
Devon Canada

Assess how a company confirms that contracted inspection services address the potential for pipe and pipeline components to not meet specifications

1:30 – 2:30pm

Session 7

Research on Pipeline Fittings Out-Of-Specification
CanmetMaterials

An integrated thermal treatment/microstructure/ mechanical properties model, i.e. a predictive tool to determine whether a fitting with a specified metallurgy, geometry and grade would meet the required standards taking into account realistic plant-specific processing variations

2:30 – 2:50pm

Coffee and Networking

2:50 – 4:30pm

Session 8

Manufacturing of Pipeline Components
Manufacturers’ Panel – Allied Group; Tecnoforge; TK Corporation; Canadoil Forge Ltd.; Tube Forgings of America

Presentations and panel discussion on Manufacturer’s Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) processes and procedures. This includes identification of manufacturers’ standards

4:30pm

End of Day

Thursday 29 June 2017

Thursday 29 June 2017

8:00 – 8:30am

Coffee and Networking

8:30 – 9:00am

Session 9

Traceability of Pipeline Components by Manufacturers
T.D. Williamson, Inc.

What a manufacturer should track to identify risks with materials and products

9:00 – 9:45am

Session 10

Recommended Actions for Companies
Breakout Tables for Discussion

Possible actions and strategies for pipeline and processing plant companies to improve quality assurance for new, previously purchased and currently in service pipeline fittings

9:45 – 10:30am

Session 11

Recommended Actions for Manufacturers and Regulators
Breakout Tables for Discussion

Possible actions and strategies for manufacturers and regulators to improve quality assurance for pipeline components

10:30 – 10:50am

Coffee and Networking

10:50 – 11:45am

Session 12

Workshop Outcome Summary
Plenary

Key outcomes from breakout sessions to be reviewed

11:45am

Conclusion: Peter Watson, CEO and Chair, National Energy Board

12:00pm

End of Workshop

Participation

Participation in the workshop is by invitation and the capacity of the workshop has been reached.

Invitations were extended to Industry representatives including manufacturing, distribution and pipeline companies primarily with experience in cases involving fittings that did not meet specifications. Regulators, consultants and academia were also invited.

Location

The venue for the workshop is in downtown Calgary, Alberta at:

  • The Metropolitan Centre
    333 4 Ave SW
    Calgary AB T2P  0H9

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Metropolitan+Conference+Centre/

There are several hotels in the vicinity.

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