Three internationally acclaimed pipeline integrity consultants based in Newcastle have moved into shared office space to create a network of support and expertise.
The three companies, Pipeline Integrity Engineers (PIE), HighGrade Associates (HGA) and Holistic Integrity Consulting have capitalised on their long-standing relationships and moved into an office suite in Gosforth’s Regent Centre.
The move will enable the three consultancies in pipeline technology to mutually benefit from each other’s huge amount of experience in this high technology specialist sector. The fusion of firms is set to create a collaboration that will offer a comprehensive range of complimentary services to energy companies worldwide. Together, the three businesses have worked in over 20 countries and contain some of the leading experts in integrity management.
HGA is a specialist team of engineers and consultants, owned by Principal Consultants, Tim and Susannah Turner. The duo has more than 25 years’ experience each in the industry and specialise in pipeline integrity assessment for both upstream and downstream pipelines. Their experience encompasses a wide range from stress analysis and strain-based design to probabilistic investigations and risk-based integrity management strategies. HGA is truly independent, aiming to use out-of-the-box thinking to provide objective and innovative solutions.
PIE brings together five expert engineering consultants, Dr Jane Haswell, Gary Senior, Nikki Barker, Tony Stonehewer and Graham Goodfellow to offer services associated with the design, construction, operation and safe integrity management of high pressure pipelines in the UK and across the globe. The business was formed in 1998 and their clients currently include Gas Networks Ireland, National Grid, Northern Gas Networks, Mutual Energy, Shell and E-On.
Dr Jane Haswell’s expertise has been put to good use for 16 years as the Professional Chair of the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers’ TD1 panel which is the authority for the design, construction, inspection, operation and maintenance of natural gas pipelines.
Holistic Integrity’s Andy Fuller from Cullercoats started his career as a pipe fitter/welder. He soon progressed into integrity management which saw him working for various big energy names and inspired him to form Holistic Integrity in October 2017. His current consultancy work includes offering general engineering support to Northern Gas Networks and delivering emergency training to a gas network company on the Isle of Man. He is also involved in developing good practice guides for the industry and sits on industrial bodies such as UKOPA.
Andy said: “Ensuring the continued operation of pipeline systems is about making the right integrity assessments and engineering judgements using a robust methodology and knowledge network. We’ve used a similar methodology when looking at our options for working closer together.
“We already know each other from working together on many projects over the years and a close professional collaboration is the obvious move for all of us. Combined, our knowledge, experience and contacts in the industry are vast. Sharing office space will enable us to bounce ideas off each other and will move all three companies forward into a very bright future.”
All three companies work on a global scale to advise on pipeline technology and integrity solutions. The advantage they offer is that they are all completely independent from inspection and technology companies meaning that the advice given is always impartial as they’re not there to sell inspection or repair services. The expertise offered covers not only oil and gas but is transferable to other industries that use pipeline systems, such as water and mining companies.
The north east has long been renowned as a hot-bed of technical talent and resources which is called upon by specialists all over the globe. This exciting collaboration of the best minds in the energy pipeline business is set to create a seismic impact worldwide.