Q: Can a pipeline pass an integrity assessment and still have threats lurking in the shadows?

Yes. Yes! An integrity assessment provides a snapshot of pipeline conditions at a specific point in time. Threats such as corrosion, cracking, and third-party damage can develop or worsen between assessments.

That’s why 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195 include ongoing integrity management requirements, including preventive and mitigative measures, monitoring, and reassessments, as applicable.

The takeaway? Just because nothing showed up during the last inspection doesn’t mean there’s nothing lurking in the pipeline. 👻