Independent Risk Management Systems B.V. (IRM Systems), suppliers of independent guidance and hands-on support for emergency pipeline repair systems (EPRS) and pipeline repair, announced that it has opened its doors for business. In order to mitigate risks associated with critical pipeline networks, IRM Systems draws upon the expertise of its team of experienced managers and engineers from the pipeline, risk, insurance, and marine industries to provide pipeline owners and operators with expertise, engineering and project management services for development and implementation of custom emergency pipeline repair systems,

Emergency preparedness on the rise

“In the event of an emergency, the only way to ensure that response is rapid and that the pipeline is repaired safely and efficiently is to develop an EPRS that is customised to the pipeline system. It’s critical to update it regularly to adjust it to changes in the environment, technologies and the pipeline itself,” said Rutger Schouten, General Manager of IRM Systems. “To do otherwise creates a scenario where, as in the case of a damaged offshore pipeline, a significant loss of time in restoring throughput will inevitably result. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, recent anchor drag incidents and Macondo, more and more pipeline operators and owners are taking steps to adopt a truly comprehensive emergency pipeline repair philosophy,” he added.

Objectivity key to responsive and cost-effective EPRS

IRM Systems is the brainchild of Schouten, Operations Director Remko Luyten, Engineering Manager Peter Spaargaren, Communications Specialist Wouter van den Berg, and Commercial Director Dirk Rook , each of whom boasts a long-term career in the pipeline and offshore industries. Collectively, they offer in-depth experience in pipeline repair, EPRS development, project management, offshore construction, design and engineering, and crisis communications. During the past few years, they realized that although pipeline owners and operators are keen to adopt an EPRS, it’s not a straightforward process that can be achieved by a single in-house manager or committee.

“To create and implement the best EPRS in terms of cost and effectiveness, it demands not only an understanding of the client’s needs, but a thorough knowledge of pipeline-specific risks, emergency and repair procedures, and EPRS and marine technology. This is where IRM Systems comes in,” said Schouten. “We know the entire process, the suppliers and technologies, but have absolutely no vested interest in any specific technology or contractor. We work solely on behalf of the customer to ensure that their EPRS system is fit-for-purpose and tailored to their requirements. In a sense, our objectivity and independence are what sets us apart,”he added.

Helping pipeline operators to understand, mitigate and manage the risks

With its experience in the pipeline industry, Schouten is quick to point out that the IRM Systems team has the ability to quickly grasp the client’s requirements, the context and content of any EPRS or its individual components. This means that when a pipeline operator approaches IRM Systems to develop an EPRS, it first assesses the context of the specific pipeline, including risks, drawings, and available hardware and software, among others.

It then develops tailored repair scenarios, and provides the pipeline operator with a full response plan, timeline and decision tree. This plan begins with the current “as is” situation, and takes the organization through a step-by-step course of action until it reaches the desired outcome. Typically, the “action plan” provides the operator with a series of optimized repair scenarios. The repair scenarios feature all details associated with, for example, front-end engineering and design, commercial and vendor requirements that are central components of an EPRS. As appropriate, IRM Systems also provides guidance on the benefits of joining one of a number of EPRS “clubs” or initiatives whereby operators pool their resources to purchase essential equipment to use in case of emergency.

The action plan is followed by the implementation phase. IRM Systems can provide support in the form of complete FEED, ITT and contracting, as well as vendor audits and inspections, and Factory Acceptance Tests and System Integration Tests. Once a system is created and the long lead items are secured, an integration test is required to ensure that all elements are interlinked, and the operator organization is capable of operating the system. At this point, IRM Systems can provide continuous project management and emergency response as part of the operator’s team.

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