Pipeline Construction Inspection

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 1169 SECOND EDITION, MARCH 2020

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Contents

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms, Definitions, and Abbreviations 1

   1. Terms and Definitions 1

   2. Abbreviations 4

4. Pipeline Construction Inspector—Foundational Information 6

   1. General 6

   2. Authority 8

   3. Code of Conduct 8

   4. Worker, Site, and Construction Safety 10

   5. Quality, Deficiencies, and Nonconformance Procedures 19

   6. Environmental Considerations 20

   7. Execution of Work 24

   8. Administration of Contractual Obligations 25

   9. Records Management 26

   10. Personnel Qualifications and Certifications 27

   11. Equipment Calibration 29

   12. Incident Reporting 29

   13. References—Foundational Information 29

Annex A (informative) Pipeline Construction Inspector 32

Annex B (normative) Blasting Inspector 122

Annex C (normative) Horizontal Directional Drilling Inspector 123

Annex D (normative) Welding Inspector 126

Annex E (normative) Corrosion Control Inspector 129

Annex F (normative) Chief Inspector 131

Annex G (informative) Regulation in North America 133

Bibliography 137

Figure

1 Typical Pipeline Construction Phases 7

Tables

1. Main Areas of Inspector Roles and Responsibilities 6

2. Typical Code of Conduct Considerations 9

3. Typical Safety Considerations 10

4. List of Typical Operator Safety Policies/Practices/Procedures 11

5. Typical Examples of Personal Protective Equipment 13

6. Potential Conditions for Atmospheric Testing 16

7. Facets of Atmospheric Testing 17

8. List of Typical Operator Quality Documentation 19

9. Examples of Personal Violations 20

10. List of Typical Environmental Activities 21

11. Inspector Role in Administration of Contractual Agreements 25

12. Typical Agreements/Contracts Issued or Applied for by Operator 26

13. Typical Activities Associated with Supporting Records Management 27

14. Typical Activities in Support of Confirming Qualifications/Certifications 28

15. Key Areas to Verify Certification and Qualification 28

16. Typical Incident Considerations 29

17. List of References—Foundational 29

1. Monitoring Requirements for Survey Inspection 33

2. Information Requirements for Survey Inspection 34

3. Prior to Commencing Work 35

4. Safety Concerns for Surveying 35

5. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 35

6. Typical Monitoring Requirements—General 36

7. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Buried Facilities Location 36

8. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Right-of-Way 37

9. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Ditch Line 37

10. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Crossings 38

11. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Appurtenances 38

12. Typical Monitoring Requirements for As-Builts 38

13. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Pilings 39

14. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Caliper Pigging 39

15. Typical Reporting Requirements 39

16. List of References—Survey 40

17. Monitoring Requirements for Clearing and Grading 41

18. Information Requirements for Clearing and Grading 42

19. Prior to Commencing Work 43

20. Safety Concerns for Clearing and Grading 43

21. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 43

22. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Clearing 44

23. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Temporary Workspaces 44

24. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Access Road Preparation 44

25. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Gates and Fences 44

26. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Buried Facilities 44

27. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Timber Processing 45

28. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Grubbing 47

29. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Snow Berms 47

30. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Grade Rock Blasting and Removal 47

31. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Wetlands 47

32. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Topsoil Stripping 47

33. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Grading 48

34. Typical Reporting Requirements 48

35. List of References—Clearing and Grading 48

A.36 Typical Monitoring Requirements for Executing Stockpiling and Stringing Operations 49

1. Information Requirements for Stringing and Stockpiling 50

2. Prior to Commencing Work 50

3. Safety Concerns for Stringing and Stockpiling 51

4. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 51

5. Monitoring Requirements for Receiving/Custody Transfer 51

6. Monitoring Requirements for Transport and Handling 52

7. Monitoring Requirements for Storage and Stockpiling 53

8. Monitoring Requirements for Identifying and Addressing Pipe Damage 53

9. Monitoring Requirements for Stringing 53

10. Typical Reporting Requirements 54

11. List of References—Stockpiling and Stringing 54

12. Monitoring Requirements for Field Bending 55

13. Information Requirements for Field Bending 56

14. Prior to Commencing Work 56

15. Safety Concerns for Field Bending 56

16. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 56

17. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Field Bending 57

18. Typical Reporting Requirements 57

19. List of References—Field Bending 58

20. Monitoring Requirements for Ditching and Excavation 59

21. Information Requirements for Ditching and Excavation 60

22. Prior to Commencing Work 61

23. Safety Concerns for Ditching and Excavation 62

24. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 63

25. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Excavation Equipment 63

26. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Trench Excavating 64

27. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Trenching through Rock 64

28. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Crossing Underground Facilities (Encroachment) 65

29. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Ditch Plugs and Subdrains/Drain Tiles 65

30. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Cold Weather Considerations 65

31. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Additional Work Items 66

32. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Historic Sites 66

33. Typical Reporting Requirements 66

34. List of References—Ditching and Excavation 66

35. Monitoring Requirements for Welding 67

36. Information Requirements for Welding 68

37. Prior to Commencing Work 68

38. Safety Concerns for Welding 69

39. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 69

40. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Welding Operations 69

41. Typical Reporting Requirements 70

42. List of References—Welding 71

43. Monitoring Requirements for Coating 72

44. Information Requirements for Coating 72

45. Prior to Commencing Work 73

46. Safety Concerns for Coating 73

47. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 73

48. Typical Monitoring Requirements for General Pipe Surface Preparation and Coating Operations.. 74 A.85 Typical Reporting Requirements 75

1. List of References—Coating 75

2. Monitoring Requirements for Lowering-In 76

3. Information Requirements for Lowering-In 77

4. Prior to Commencing Work 78

5. Safety Concerns for Lowering-In 78

6. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 78

7. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Trench Base Preparation 79

8. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Pipe Handling for Lowering-In 79

9. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Trenchless or Cased Crossings 80

10. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Buoyancy Control 81

11. Typical Reporting Requirements 81

12. List of References—Lowering-In 81

13. Monitoring Requirements for Horizontal Directional Drilling Installation 82

14. Information Requirements for Horizontal Directional Drilling Installation 83

15. Prior to Commencing Work 84

16. Safety Concerns for Horizontal Directional Drilling Installation 85

17. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 85

18. Typical Monitoring Requirements for General Horizontal Directional Drilling Operations 86

19. Typical Monitoring Requirements Prior to Horizontal Directional Drilling (Onsite) 87

20. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Pilot Hole Operations 87

21. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Reaming Operations 87

22. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Pull Back Operations 88

23. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Post-installation 88

24. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Clean-up Operations 89

25. Typical Reporting Requirements 89

26. List of References—Horizontal Directional Drilling Installation 90

27. Monitoring Requirements for Backfilling 91

28. Information Requirements for Backfilling 92

29. Prior to Commencing Work 92

30. Safety Concerns for Backfilling 93

31. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 93

32. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Backfilling Operations 93

33. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Materials 95

34. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Pre-heating Operations (if Required) 95

35. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Special Locations 96

36. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Primary and Secondary Roads—Bored 96

37. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Open-cut Roads 96

38. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Horizontal Directional Drilling 96

39. Typical Reporting Requirements 97

40. List of References—Backfilling 97

41. Monitoring Requirements for Cathodic Protection 98

42. Information Requirements for Cathodic Protection 99

43. Prior to Commencing Work 99

44. Safety Concerns for Cathodic Protection 99

45. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 100

46. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Cathodic Protection Installation 100

47. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Cathodic Protection at Third-Party Pipeline Crossings ..100 A.133 Typical Reporting Requirements 101

1. List of References—Cathodic Protection 102

2. Monitoring Requirements for Hydrostatic Testing 103

3. Information Requirements for Hydrostatic Testing 104

4. Prior to Commencing Work 105

5. Safety Concerns for Hydrostatic Testing 105

6. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 105

7. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Preparing Test Sections 106

8. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Preparing for Pressure Test 106

9. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Filling the Pipe 107

10. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Preparing for Pressurization 107

11. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Establishing Pressure-Volume Curve 107

12. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Leak Check 108

13. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Strength Test 108

14. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Leak Test 108

15. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Leak or Failure Investigation 108

16. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Depressurizing 109

17. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Dewatering 109

18. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Test Head Removal/Replacement 109

19. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Drying and Cleaning 110

20. Typical Reporting Requirements 110

21. List of References—Hydrostatic Testing 111

22. Monitoring Requirements for Clean-up and Restoration 112

23. Information Requirements for Clean-up and Restoration 113

24. Prior to Commencing Work 113

25. Safety Concerns for Clean-up and Restoration 113

26. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 114

27. Typical Monitoring Requirements for General Clean-up and Restoration 114

28. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Topsoil Replacement 115

29. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Terraces, Drainage, and Slope Protection 115

30. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Diversion Berms 115

31. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Watercourses and Crossings 115

32. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Roads 116

33. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Replanting and Reseeding 116

34. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Fencing 116

35. Typical Reporting Requirements 117

36. List of References—Clean-up and Restoration 117

37. Monitoring Requirements for Post-construction Inspection 118

38. Information Requirements for Post-construction Inspection 118

39. Prior to Commencing Work 119

40. Safety Concerns for Post-construction Inspection 119

41. Typical Monitoring Requirements for Environmental Considerations 119

42. Typical Monitoring Requirements for General Post-construction Inspection 120

43. Typical Reporting Requirements 121

44. List of References—Post-construction Inspection 121

G.1 Applicable Regulations for the United States and Canada 133

Pipeline Construction Inspection

1. Scope

   
   

   This recommended practice covers the basic requirements and their associated references needed to perform inspection activities safely and effectively during onshore pipeline construction. This recommended practice provides the details related to the role of the operator’s pipeline construction inspector (“Inspector”), in terms of monitoring and inspection requirements throughout the lifecycle of the pipeline construction process. This document is written to address general inspection duties. Areas of specialty inspection are noted and are beyond the scope of this document (in-line inspection and anomaly evaluation are not included in this document’s scope). This includes basic knowledge of, and where to find, detailed information related to each facet of pipeline construction inspection activities.

   
   

   The scope of this document is limited to gas and liquid pipeline construction. Specifically, content is focused on those items that are relevant to the role of an Inspector as it relates to best practices within the industry in the United States and Canada. This document provides Inspectors with background and context, beyond existing regulation, regarding best practices in the industry. Whereas the content is organized in a manner consistent with construction of new facilities, where relevant, the content can also be applied to construction associated with existing facilities (e.g. maintenance-related activities).

   
   

   Users of this document include pipeline Owner Companies and those individuals either engaged in pipeline construction inspection or seeking to become certified inspectors. Pipeline Owner Companies and pipeline inspection service companies may also use this document to develop their inspection processes and responsibilities for inspectors, as well as to develop and enhance their inspector training programs.

   
   

2. Normative References

   
   

   The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

   
   

   API Standard 1104, Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities

   
   

   CGA 1, Best Practices

   
   

3. Terms, Definitions, and Abbreviations

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1 Terms and Definitions

3.1.1

activity quality plan AQP

Document(s) that establishes procedures, minimum personnel qualifications, roles and responsibilities, inspection methods, and record requirements of construction activities. The intent of an activity quality plan (AQP) is to identify quality concerns and methods of control.

1 Common Ground Alliance, 908 King Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA 22314, https://commongroundalliance.com.