Petersen Engineering
    Engineering Services    
   

Our vast experience includes, but is not limited to pipeline & terminal engineering & design, gathering system design, integrity management, project/contstruction management, permitting, pipeline relocation, inspection, and cost estimating.


Cost Estimating
Almost every project PEI performs involves cost estimating. Sometimes it is performed as part of project definition and sometimes it is for AFE approval. Due to its extensive amount of estimating experience, PEI has obtained large quantities of data for both labor and materials. If the estimate is at or near the AFE stage, PEI will often have a qualified contractor review the estimate to insure that all of the factors have been properly applied. In areas where the construction is complicated, PEI will even have the contractor visit the site to validate the recommended, most efficient method of installation.


Engineering & Design
Pipeline engineering is an all-encompassing term that includes many services. PEI has special expertise in developing pipeline projects and providing engineering and design from concept through completion. Our engineers are well experienced in selection of pipeline routes to minimize environmental impact and result in good contructibility. We pride ourselves on flexibility and the ability to adapt to changes quickly. We maintain expertise in all engineering disciplines.


Inspection
PEI provides a myriad of inspection services to its clients. PEI has on-staff inspectors with experience in construction inspection, welding inspection, pipeline integrity inspection, corrosion inspection and measurement technologies.

These services can range from complete management of the client's inspection services on a major construction project to a single inspector to supplement a client's staff. PEI has special expertise in the areas of mechanical integrity and cathodic protection.


Pipeline Integrity
From the day that Petersen Engineering was formed, pipeline integrity has been a major part of the engineering services we provide. Much of the initial work was performed on liquid lines, but as the regulators moved on to natural gas pipelines, our expertise moved as well.

The majority of our experience has been with smart pigging. We have taken on projects where the first step was to determine the piggability of a line and then design the modifications necessary to make it piggable. Most often there is not sufficient space where the launcher and receiver need to be located so a unique design must be implemented.

Petersen Engineering has been involved with all aspects of a smart pig run:

  • Planning and coordinating the run including writing launch and receive plans
  • Analyze the data
  • Develop dig lists
  • Perform RSTRENG calculations
  • Receive and file dig reports
  • Prepare project documentation
  • Determine re-run schedule
Over the past ten years, we have been involved with close to 125 smart pig runs for many of our clients.

With the new regulations for natural gas lines, Petersen Engineering has developed expertise in Direct Assessment (DA). The planning of the Assessment, receiving of the data and its analysis is performed by Petersen Engineering. Our sister company, PEI Pipeline Services will perform the data gathering in the field.

When neither Smart pigging nor DA is feasible, hydrotesting is an acceptable option. Petersen has developed hydrostatic test plans for both new construction and existing lines.


 Permitting
Regulatory agencies impact nearly every aspect of pipeline operations. The successful outcome of a project and the prevention of delays is highly dependent upon the recognition of pertinent regulatory issues, the agency permits and approvals, the impacts upon design and construction, and the approval timeframes. The likely regulatory issues and agency requirements should be scoped during the planning phase of a project. Potential agency requirements should be monitored and reviewed from design development to installation and operation to minimize cost overruns and delays.

PEI has the professional expertise to determine regulatory involvement and the recognition to seek approvals. PEI also possesses the communication skills to act as a client advocate or as the "engineer" to discuss projects with agencies for environmental and non-environmental permits. We can provide permitting assistance, secure and manage specialists, and interface with client engineering and regulatory staffs. Since such services are inherent to engineering and design of facilities, PEI has the natural advantage of understanding the impacts on sighting, design and operation of the facilities.

PEI can provide the direct permitting assistance or operate as a technical support role to secure approvals from natural resource, air and water pollution control, road, planning, building, and fire agencies ranging from the Federal to the local level.


Project Management
Our personnel have many years' experience providing management services. This has ranged from managing the entire project from concept through completion or just the design or construction phases. Which ever phase of management is needed, PEI will provide complete budget and schedule control.
The greatest impact to a project is controlling the scope of work. Changing business goals may force a scope change. How that change is implemented is key to a successful project. Maintaining a clearly defined scope and minimizing the impact of change is a main focus of PEI's management. PEI prides itself on its flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to changes.


Pipeline Relocation
This has become a major problem in certain parts of the country that were once farm fields, but are now expanding cities and towns. Line relocation requires close coordination with the landowners, local agencies and the client. In many cases the relocation is as simple as lowering the line and moving a few feet. In some cases, it becomes necessary to find an entire new route.