White paper highlights forward thinking of young pipeline engineers
In an encouraging nod to the next generation of pipeline engineers, the American Gas Association welcomed winners of a white paper contest sponsored by Young Pipeline Professionals to the AGA Operations Conference in May.
Daryl Bandstra represented the winning trio of authors—which also includes Eric Lang, engineer with Kinder Morgan Pipelines, and Eric Lor, engineer with Southern California Gas Company—and shared “Implementation of Probabilistic Methods in Pipeline Risk and Integrity Engineering.”
Probabilistic methods are available to aid pipeline operators in managing uncertainty when making decisions about the operation and maintenance of their system.
“Probabilistic assessments use statistics to help companies to predict events and to determine the probability that they will occur,” Bandstra, a pipeline engineer who founded Integral Engineering in Vancouver, Canada, told American Gas.
In their white paper, the authors highlight potential barriers to the new methodology—resistance to change, educational and technical challenges of implementation, and interpretation of results—and suggest solutions.
“Probabilistic methods are a really useful way to help prevent failures in pipelines and improve safety,” Bandstra said.
Young Pipeline Professionals USA is led and run by a team of young professionals in the pipeline industry committed to “accept the duty of care for the pipeline industry.” The group, whose board of directors is composed of senior-level industry members, creates opportunities for learning and networking through site visits, webinars, social events and a symposium. Christina Sames, AGA’s vice president of operations and engineering, presented at the latest Young Pipeline Professionals Symposium, giving an overview of the regulatory process.
“For a young professional to have work showcased on a stage like the AGA Operations Conference and to have AGA’s support is monumental,” Lang, vice chairman of YPP, told American Gas. “This opportunity is the beginning of what will hopefully evolve into a career focused on the betterment of the industry, knowledge sharing and giving back to an industry that gives us so much.”
Likewise, AGA is grateful for YPP’s efforts.
“We at AGA recognize that young pipeline professionals of today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow who will carry on our members’ core values of delivering safe and reliable energy in an environmentally responsible way,” Wen Tu, AGA operations and engineering services manager, told American Gas. “We are excited to have these forward-thinking young leaders share their ideas and engage with industry decision-makers.”