1	PIPELINE ALIAS A UNIVERSAL NOMENCLATURE SYSTEM FOR THE PIPELINE INDUSTRY
2	Classify Each Star Uniquely describe these 4 stars.
3	Does Your System Still Work?
4	Obvious and Simple Describe the fundamental characteristics: Symmetry Symmetrical Asymmetrical Color: Yellow Blue Green Red Number of Points: Four Points Five Points Twelve Points Fourteen Points
5	Now Use This System to Classify Symmetrical VS Asymmetrical Color Number of Points
6	Now Index The System Symmetry: Symmetrical = 1,000 Asymmetrical = 2,000 Color: Red = 100 Blue = 200 Yellow = 300 Green = 400 Number of Points: Count from 3 to 99
7	Applying the Index Symmetry: Symmetrical = 1,000 Asymmetrical = 2,000 Color: Red = 100 Blue = 200 Yellow = 300 Green = 400 Number of Points: Count from 3 to 99
8	Applying the Index
9	Classify This Anomaly How would you classify this common pipeline anomaly? Using Pipeline Alias, this anomaly can be uniquely classified as 1105.
10	What is ALIAS? An indexed Classification System for Pipeline Anomalies and Features. ALIAS was inspired by an emerging need in our hi-technology industry where terabytes of digital pipeline integrity data is accumulating. Problems: Correlation of data. Quality control. Ability to query databases. Regulator audit requirements.
11	Where Did ALIAS Come From? Published Sources included: API's "5T1 - Imperfection Terminology" ASME B31.4 Liquids ASME B31.8 Gas CSA's Z662 Pig Source's Glossary of Pipeline Terms, The Pipeline Information Data Dictionary various NACE resources PODS C.E.P.A.’s recommended practices pipeline operators and other pipeline consultants
12	Adding ALL the Terms Used From the HM Integrity Database 20 different pipeline operators 76 different pipeline sections from 3” to 30” 11 different ILI vendor's data 5 different ILI technologies 20,000 miles of pipeline ILI surveys 6,500 previous dig evaluations and repairs From the RTD Anomaly Evaluation database (PRISM) 11,000 excavations 24,000 anomaly evaluations 30 different pipeline operators 5 different pipeline codes and recommended practices 5 different NDE technologies 5 different ILI technologies
13	The Final List Over 200 different items. The same item repeated with as many as six different terms! Required that specific definitions be used to identify which were unique items. Went back to the list of sources to find definitions.
14	Characteristics To Consider Features and fittings: Function – Valves, Check Valves, Sleeves, etc. Anomalies Method of Degradation: mill, third party, corrosion, etc. Physical Attributes: 2D VS 3D – crack VS wall loss, etc. Pipeline component affected: pipe wall, pipe shape, coating, etc.
15	Group Definitions Features and Fittings group: “Any engineered appurtenance, repair or modification made to or on a pipeline.” Anomalies group: “Abnormalities or defects on, or impacting the pipeline or its immediate environment.”
16	Three-Tiered Indexing System Classification - general or fundamental characteristic or function. Category – specific function, characteristics or degradation mode / cause. Type – specific feature or anomaly.
17	Classification Level Volumetric - Anomalies that alter the cross sectional area of the pipe wall. Planar - 2D Anomalies that do not change the cross sectional area of the pipe wall. Geometric - Anomalies that change the general shape of the pipe. Geotechnical - Anomalies affecting the environment surrounding buried pipelines. Cathodic Protection - Anomalies that alter the expected Cathodic Protection on a pipeline. Coating - Anomalies in the coating on a pipeline. Weld Imperfections- Anomalies associated with a welding process. Others - Anomalies or occurrences other than previously listed. Features & Fittings - Mechanical appurtenances on the pipeline.
18	Category Level Divisions are identified by specific characteristics or degradation mode / cause. An example using Volumetric anomalies is: Construction Corrosion Mill-related Mechanical
19	Type Level Indexes individual anomalies by physical attributes and inspection technique tolerances. Under the Corrosion Category there are four unique anomalies identified: Type: Corrosion Wall Loss – generic unknown method. General wall loss Isolated wall loss Erosion Corrosion
20	Indexing the ALIAS System Indexing of “Classifications” by thousands, “Categories” by hundreds, “Types” by ones and tens. 1000 = Volumetric 1100 = Corrosion Wall Loss 1105 = General Wall Loss
21	Value of the Index No requirement to accept one term – multiple terms for the same item can all refer to the same index: Classification “Volumetric” Category “Corrosion” Type “General Wall Loss” = 1105 Other Terms: Cluster Group Box Associated Area
22	Exclusions No dimensional parameters Bigger anomalies have the same name as smaller versions of them selves. No Position Parameters A dent on the top of the pipe has the same index and name as a dent on the bottom. No Cumulative Anomalies Stacking the entire library would result in thousands of new variations – dent with crack, dent with crack and wall loss, etc. Each unique anomaly needs a separate index.
23	Exceptions As with any rule, convention, or guideline, there are exceptions that don’t fit within the system: For ALIAS – we created the “Others” category. e.g. “External metal near the pipe”
24	Validation of ALIAS Applied to the HM Integrity Database 20 different pipeline operators 76 different pipeline sections from 3” to 30” 11 different ILI vendor's data 5 different ILI technologies 20,000 miles of pipeline ILI surveys 6,500 previous dig evaluations and repairs Applied to the RTD Anomaly Evaluation database (PRISM) 11,000 excavations 24,000 anomaly evaluations 30 different pipeline operators 5 different pipeline codes and recommended practices 5 different NDE technologies 5 different ILI technologies
25	Correlation of Data With ALIAS The index system of ALIAS not only identifies anomalies and features by their fundamental characteristics, but it is also provides a progressively concise correlation system. This is possible through the progressive indexing of definitions: Volumetric Anomaly Classification 1000 = anomaly that alters wall thickness Category 1100 = Corrosion wall loss Type 1110 = Isolated Pit
26	Correlation of Data With ALIAS Inspection technologies have specific abilities and limitations to make specific call outs when identifying pipeline anomalies. A low or standard resolution MFL ILI tool can only classify anomalies as having the appearance of wall loss. Even though likely due to corrosion, a wall loss anomaly would be assigned the index: 1000 = "Volumetric Defect". No Category or Type assigned due to tool limitation.
27	Correlation of Data With ALIAS Excavation and NDE with Ultrasonics could then determine that the anomaly was a single isolated internal wall loss pit, and it would be classified as: 1110, "Isolated Wall loss". A Type is assigned based on the NDE tools. If the section of pipe containing the anomaly was then cut out and sectioned for further examination, the source of the wall loss could be further determined to be assigned index: 1210 = "Mill Slug Void". A very concise and accurate Type is assigned.
28	Correlation of Data With ALIAS All three call outs were all in the same Classification (1000 Volumetric): ILI = 1000 - "Volumetric Defect". NDE = 1110 - "Isolated Wall loss". Lab = 1210 - "Mill Slug Void". A correlation of the call outs from all three methods of inspection can be easily made, confirming accuracy within the tolerance of each method.
29	Making ALIAS Easy Accessible on the web using Active Server Pages (ASP) with the data itself being housed in Microsoft SQL Server. Anyone can access and use the database from their web browser on any web-enabled computer. Users can create user accounts and store their preferred terms for each index. Customized lists can be downloaded and printed from the web site. The web site and database development was funded by Amec Pipeline Professionals and, It’s free!
30	Future of ALIAS Should have a committee or association with industry representation to direct alterations, changes and additions to the library and to the function of the database and web site. Should translate the library and definitions to other languages. Should remain free, and accessible to all interested parties.
31	ALIAS www.PipelineAlias.com