Oil and gas transmission pipelines carry vast quantities of energy and are big business; for example, a large pipeline transporting 1,000,000 bbl/d of oil, with oil priced at $US100/barrel, will deliver $US36.5 billion of oil each year.

Many of these pipelines are ageing – they are typically over 30 years of age, but will be needed to operate for many more decades to meet increasing demands, and as new sources of oil and gas are discovered. Hence, their ‘integrity’, or safety and security of supply, is a major challenge for their operators. Pipelines have an excellent safety record, but failures do occur, sometimes with tragic consequences.

There is a shortage of skilled pipeline engineers in the world today, and there is also an increasing need, as pipelines age even more, for pipeline engineers with skills in pipeline integrity.

Consequently, the Postgraduate Certificate in Pipeline Integrity Management allows students to understand and apply the theory and practice of pipeline integrity engineering in a work-based environment. The course aims to produce highly skilled and professional graduates with abilities in aspects of pipeline integrity – in particular ensuring the continued safety of ageing pipelines.

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Students completing this course will have relevant skills in dealing with the special problems facing pipelines, assessing damage in the pipelines, assessing risk, and corrosion problems, and have general knowledge in pipeline engineering. The course presents a holistic view of pipeline integrity, which ensures students understand the history, theory, and foundations of technologies they will use.

The Pipeline Integrity Management course is presented by on-line distance learning enhanced by quizzes, case studies, and tutorials.

There will be opportunities to meet the tutors during the academic year, attending masterclasses and residential courses (there is a fee associated with this).

Delivery

The course materials are delivered on-line. There are four modules in the Postgraduate Certificate, and students are expected to take two to three years to complete these modules.

The course will start with module one (Pipeline Integrity Assessments, 20 credits) in 2011–12. The second module (Onshore Pipeline Engineering, 20 credits) will be available in Semester 1 of 2012–13. Modules 3 (Risk Management of Pipelines, 10 credits) and 4 (Corrosion and Materials, 10 credits) will be available in Semester 2, 2012–13.

After 2012–13, all the modules will be available to commence in Semesters 1 or 2. It is recommended that students take a maximum of 20 credits per Semester.

Careers

Typically, students who participate in the course will already be in permanent employment in the pipeline industry. However, the Certificate allows students who are not in the industry to develop skills that are attractive to an industry that has a recognised shortage of skilled staff.