MANAGING TECHNOLOGY IN OIL PIPELINES INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study identifies a few technology management issues of operating oil pipelines in oil industry and suggests an analytical framework to resolve those. This study focuses on the pipeline system design, pipeline coating selection, route selection, construction management, and pipeline inspection and maintenance issues. Operating oil pipelines in an optimum capacity through out its life, effective construction management and failure free operations are considered as critical success factors in oil transportation business. Operating oil pipelines in derated capacity due to deteriorating pipeline health or lack of demand, non-ability of augmenting pipeline capacity despite of demand, non-achievement of time, cost, and quality of pipeline construction projects, and many failures of pipelines despite of huge expenditure in inspection and maintenance are the common phenomena in oil pipelines industry. These not only cause business loss, but also increase stakeholders’ concerns for sustainable development. This study addresses the above issues using an analytical framework through stakeholders’ involvement. Keywords: Pipeline operations, technology management issues, analytical frameworks, group decision-making.