An integrity management program provides a means to improve the safety of pipeline systems and to allocate operator resources effectively to : identify and analyze actual and potential precursor events that can result in pipeline incidents; examine the likelihood and potential severity of pipeline incidents; provide a comprehensive and integrated means for examining and comparing the spectrum of risks and risk reduction activities available; provide a structured, easily communicated means for selecting and implementing risk reduction activities; and, establish and track systems performance with the goal of improving that performance.
This standard is intended for use by individuals and teams charged with planning, implementing and improving a pipeline integrity management program. Typically a team would include engineers, operating personnel and technicians or specialist with specific experience or expertise (corrosion, in-line inspection, right-of-way patrolling, etc.) Users of this standard should be familiar with the pipeline safety regulations (Title49 CFR Part 195), including the requirements for pipeline operations to have a written pipeline integrity program, and to conduct a baseline assessment and periodic reassessments of pipeline management integrity.