1. Can Technology Save Us?
Smart pigs, SCADA, Integrity management, and Leak detection – What more could we need?
Dr. Tom Bubenik,
CC Technologies, Inc. – a DNV Company
Restoring Trust in Pipeline Safety Conference
New Orleans, Louisiana
November 2, 2006
Can Technology Save Us?
Smart pigs, SCADA, Integrity management, and leak detection- what more could we need?
Tom Bubenik, Vice President Integrity Services, CC Technology
Andy Drake, P.E., General Manager of Technical Services for Duke Energy Gas Transmission
Don Deaver, President, Deatech Consulting, Houston, Texas
Representative from Battelle

2. Background and Qualifications
27 years of experience
2004-present: CC Technologies, Director of Integrity Services
, Battelle, Program Manager, Manager of Pipeline Technology Center
, Exxon Production Research, Research Scientist,
General Expertise
Material properties
Stress analyses, applied mechanics, post yield behavior, fracture mechanics
Degradation mechanisms
Inspection and monitoring technologies
Failure modes and effects
Risk analyses
Specialized Expertise (Pipeline Related)
Defect assessment – corrosion, mechanical damage, cracking, etc.
Degradation - stress corrosion cracking, fatigue, fracture, overload, etc.
Smart pigging – magnetic flux leakage, ultrasonics, etc.
Repair – selection, implementation
Monitoring, etc.
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3. Real World We know about damage mechanisms…
but we don’t always know when or where degradation occurs
or about all factors that affect the damage…
We know how to find some types of damage…
but we can’t find everything nor can we…
learn all there is to know about existing damage…
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4. Can Technology Save Us? Four key issues: Mother nature
Costs and benefits
Technology
Perfection
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5. Can Technology Save Us?
Mother nature is a wonderful equalizer. She works diligently to undo what man creates.
We need to be continually vigilant. Problems will never stop.
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6. Can Technology Save Us? There is always a cost/benefit ratio.
Everything has a price and there are trade-offs between the activities we choose.
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7. Can Technology Save Us? Technology has limitations.
No technology, or combination of technologies, “does it all.”
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8. Can Technology Save Us? Nothing is perfect.
All engineering materials have variations.
We don’t always know what we don’t know.
We’re going to make mistakes.
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9. The Question at Hand Can technology save us? From what? When? Where?
How?
At what cost?
Etc.
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10. Can Technology Save Us – From What?
The problems we know about and the problems we don’t:
Threat identification and assessments are essential.
We also need to look for problems that may be on the forefront.
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11. Can Technology Save Us – When?
Whenever we can, but not always:
Before people or the environment are significantly threatened.
We need to understand how and when degradation occurs.
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12. Can Technology Save Us – Where?
Where people and/or the environment is threatened:
Risk assessments are important tools.
We need to recognize all tools have limitations and not rely on only one tool in the toolbox.
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13. Can Technology Save Us – How?
With proven and evolving technologies:
Smart pigs, SCADA, Integrity management, and leak detection…
We need to strive to develop new and evolving technologies even though they aren’t perfect.
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14. Can Technology Save Us – At What Cost?
Cost/benefit ratios alone are not the answer. They are the starting point.
We need to add the uncertainties and intangibles.
We need to ask whether our plans are realistic, reasonable, and rational.
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15. Back to the Question at Hand
Can Technology Save Us?
Yes. Provided we know what problems we need to address.
Yes. Provided we know when to apply the tools we have.
Yes. Provided we look in the right places.
Yes. Provided we use proven and evolving technologies.
Yes. Provided we consider cost/benefit ratios but not let them drive the process.
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16. Can Technology Save Us?
Technology can “save us: if we know how and where to use it by:
Continuing to develop an understanding of how pipelines degrade and fail.
Developing and trying new technologies, recognizing they will not be perfect.
Learning from our mistakes.
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17. Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way – Don’t get stuck in the middle!
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18. Planning is important
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19. As is balance…
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20. We Are Not In Over Your Head!
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