PECIMS (Pipeline External Corrosion Integrity Management System)

PECIMS was developed to allow the whole ECDA Process to be undertaken, analysed and all the data stored on one software package. Traditionally, the information required for a detailed ECDA analysis is stored in a variety of different data bases and proprietary software packages, as well as in different formats. So, for example, the overline data such as DCVG may have been analysed and stored on a proprietary DCVG graphing and analysis package, the direct examination data may be in various reports and photographs and the CP historical data may be in hard copy in the CP Department of the Company.

PECIMS allows the integration of all that data. Firstly, all the historical information required for the Pre-Assessment is entered into the software and will then be available electronically to be shared within the company for future use or future surveys.

Secondly, all the information from each step of the ECDA Process will also be stored on the software.

During the Indirect Inspection Phase, all the information relating to the person surveying, the type of instrument being used, calibration information and serial numbers is stored so that it can be referenced in the future. All the data collected during the overline surveys is stored, analysed, graphed and printed in PECIMS. Therefore, PECIMS is also a DCVG and CIS analysis and graphing package. PECIMS also allows all the severity rankings, of each individual survey technique to be user-customisable as well as the combination of the overall severity rankings, based on the combination of the techniques to be user-definable.

One of the most powerful features of the PECIMS software is the alignment of all the data collected during the Indirect Inspection Phase which can then be printed out to show all the data, or for each individual technique, or for any combination of techniques that the user selects.

PECIMS facilitates all the data gathered during the Direct Examination Phase. There are four screens of information that need to be filled in, which take the user logically through the analysis of an excavation. The information that is required for each screen ensures that the site personnel record and take measurements of all the pertinent features that will be required later.

Any relevant information such as reports, photographs, NDT reports, potential recordings etc can be imported into PECIMS so that all  relevant information relating to a particular excavation or location on the pipeline are stored in the software. New exciting features are planned for PECIMS in the near future. A TRU management system is currently being developed which will be linked to PECIMS to allow all the information relating to TRU’s to be available in one location. The incorporation of remote monitoring information into PECIMS is being finalised and will be available shortly.