Pipeline superintendent

Pipeline superintendents manage the direction and overall development of pipeline transport projects. They envision the planning, the route selection, the management of resources, and the daily operations. They develop long-term vision safeguarding efficiency of the infrastructure.

The following job titles also refer to pipeline superintendent:

distribution network planner
distribution network strategy planner
distribution network monitoring manager
distribution network manager
pipeline project director
pipeline project manager
supervisor of pipeline

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as pipeline superintendent. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Pipeline superintendent is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to pipeline superintendent.

pipeline environmental project manager
pipeline engineer
drainage engineer
wastewater engineer
gas distribution engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of pipeline superintendent. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of pipeline superintendent with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of pipeline superintendent.

Project management principles: Different elements and phases of project management.
Security requirements of goods transported via pipelines: Know the security requirements and safety measures necessary to avoid accidents during the transportation of goods via pipelines. Ensure measures for the transport of oil and petroleum products, olefin, ammonia, CO2, hydrogen, and others.
Project management: Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.
Financial capability: Financial operations such as calculations, cost estimations, budget management taking relevant commercial and statistical data into account such as data for materials, supplies and manpower.
Pipeline transport regulations;: Know about pipeline transport regulations and their application in pipeline fields. Apply pipeline transport regulations in the construction of new sites.
Types of pipelines: Know various types of pipelines and their different usages. Differentiate between pipelines used to transport goods over short and long distances, and understand their respective feeding systems.

These skills are necessary for the role of pipeline superintendent.

Give instructions to staff: Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
Ensure regulatory compliance in pipeline infrastructures: Ensure that the regulations for pipeline operations are met. Ensure pipeline infrastructure compliance with legal mandates, and compliance with regulations governing the transportation of goods via the pipelines.
Create project specifications: Define the workplan, duration, deliverables, resources and procedures a project has to follow to achieve its goals. Describe project goals, outcomes, results and implementation scenarios.
Control financial resources: Monitor and control budgets and financial resources providing capable stewardship in company management.
Set management priorities in pipeline networks: Set the priorities for the performance of activities in pipeline networks. Analyse the different issues within the infrastructure, and tackle issues that may significantly affect operations and those that may be costly if left unaddressed.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Produce airport lighting system reports: Produce operational reports on inspection and intervention of airport lighting systems. Transmit reports to the airport operational department and ATC.
Prepare timelines for pipeline development projects: Prepare timescales and project schedules for implementation of activities and follow up in pipeline development projects. Include in the preparation customer requests, materials required, and specification of the activities to be undertaken.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Analyse route possibilities in pipeline projects: Analyse sufficient route possibilities for developing pipeline projects. Ensure that crucial elements such as environment, the features of a location, purpose, and other elements are considered. Analyse the best route possibilities while attempting to maintain a balance between budget and quality.
Perform follow-up on pipeline route services: Perform follow-up activities related to the plan, the distribution schedule, and the service yielded by the pipeline infrastructure. Ensure that pipeline route assignments are accomplished and meet customer agreements.
Combine multiple fields of knowledge: Combine inputs and considerations from a variety of diverse spheres (e.g. technical, design, engineering, social) in the development of projects or in the daily performance of a job.
Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.
Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Analyse work-related written reports: Read and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of pipeline superintendent. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Pipeline coating properties: Know pipeline coating properties such as external anti-corrosion, internal coating, concrete weight coating, thermal insulation, and others.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of pipeline superintendent. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Provide rigging plans: Provide rigging and lifting plans; accept and support project supplied lifting plans. This plan includes information regarding the rigging equipment used, weight of the lift, crane capacity, atmospheric and environmental conditions, lifting capacity and floor loading capacity.
Inspect pipelines: Walk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.
Survey sites for pipeline installation: Perform surveys of different kinds of sites, such as inland or maritime site, for the planning and construction of pipeline infrastructure.
Detect flaws in pipeline infrastructure: Detect flaws in pipeline infrastructure during construction or over the passage of time such as construction defects, corrosion, ground movement, hot-tap made by error, and others.
Analyse pipeline database information: Retrieve and analyse different types of information extracted from the databases of pipelines companies. Analyse information such as risks, project management KPIs (keyperformance indicators), goods transportation times, and document back-up processes.

Mitigate environmental impact of pipeline projects: Strive to mitigate the potential impact that pipelines and the goods transported in them can have on the environment. Invest time and resources into consideration of the environmental effects of the pipeline, the actions that could be taken to protect the environment, and the potential increase in the costs of the project.
Prevent pipeline deterioration: Ensure the conservation of pipelines by undertaking adequate maintenance of the system and its coating properties. Prevent corrosion formation, leaks, and other problems.
Compile reservoir performance plans: Make up detailed development plans of the performance of the reservoir. Apply mathematical models for maximum economic recovery.
Create crop protection plans: Monitor crops for issues with crop protection. Design integrated control strategies. Assess the consequences of pesticide application. Keep up with developments in biotechnology to help reduce usage of chemicals. Manage pesticide resistance.
Consider the impact of material characteristics on pipeline flows: Consider the characteristics of goods in order to ensure that pipeline flows are uninterrupted. Anticipate the density of goods in the design of pipelines or in daily maintenance of pipeline infrastructures.
Develop contingency plans for emergencies: Compose procedures outlining specific actions to be taken in the event of an emergency, taking into account all the risks and dangers that could be involved, ensuring that the plans comply with safety legislation and represent the safest course of action.

1324 – Supply, distribution and related managers

 

 

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References

1. Pipeline superintendent – ESCO