Pipeline Operations & Integrity Flashcards
6 cards from real CPA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pipeline Operations & Integrity flashcards as text
What is the function of a compressor station in a natural gas transmission pipeline system?
Answer: To boost gas pressure to maintain flow over long distances
Compressor stations use turbine or reciprocating compressors to repressurize natural gas, overcoming friction losses and maintaining adequate flow rates across long-distance transmission pipelines.
A pipeline's 'right-of-way' (ROW) refers to what?
Answer: The strip of land over which the pipeline operator has legal authority to construct and maintain the pipeline
The right-of-way is a legal easement or ownership strip of land above and alongside the pipeline route that the operator must keep clear of encroachments for safe access and maintenance.
Which standard published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) governs the design and construction of liquid petroleum pipelines?
Answer: API RP 1111
API RP 1111 provides recommended practices for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore hydrocarbon pipelines, while API 5L covers line pipe specifications.
What is 'pipe-to-soil potential' measurement used to evaluate in cathodic protection systems?
Answer: The effectiveness of the cathodic protection system in preventing corrosion
Pipe-to-soil potential readings (measured with a reference electrode) indicate whether the cathodic protection system is providing adequate protection to prevent electrochemical corrosion of buried pipe.
When a pipeline operator performs a 'line walk,' what is the primary purpose of this activity?
Answer: To inspect the physical condition of the pipeline ROW for encroachments, leaks, or hazards
A line walk involves physically patrolling the pipeline right-of-way on foot or by vehicle to identify unauthorized encroachments, signs of leaks, soil movement, or other hazards requiring attention.
What does the term 'deadband' refer to in a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) pipeline control system?
Answer: A range of values within which a sensor will not trigger an alarm or update
In SCADA systems, a deadband is a configured tolerance range around a setpoint within which sensor readings do not trigger alarms or data transmission updates, reducing nuisance alerts.