The changing pipeline integrity landscape, understanding dents
as potential threats, and complying with new PHMSA
requirements
According to the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), pipeline incidents have cost
the U.S. approximately $11 billion over the past 20 years.
Many of those incidents were related to pipeline failures, leaks,
and the resulting cleanups and repairs.
To combat these incidents while considering safety and economic
implications, PHMSA published new code requirements in August 2022
affecting the way pipeline operators can respond to dents and other
mechanical integrity threats (49 CFR 192.712(c)) that may increase
the risk of pipeline failure. Enforcement of the new code went into
effect February 2024, meaning that today, companies must be ready
to perform engineering critical assessments (ECAs) to better
understand the potential integrity implications of dents and other
damage that "could result in a stress riser or
