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How to become A Pipeline Engineer

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

While other people may have their projects in the pipeline, pipelines themselves are the projects for some professionals. Pipeline Engineers plan, design, and manage complex and extensive pipeline systems to facilitate transporting and distributing liquids and gases across miles and diverse terrains. The... Continue Reading

Skills a career as a Pipeline Engineer requires: Engineering Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Piping Industrial Engineering View more skills
Pipeline Engineer salary
$88,570
USAUSA
£30,903
UKUK
Explore Career
  • Introduction - Pipeline Engineer
  • What does a Pipeline Engineer do?
  • Pipeline Engineer Work Environment
  • Skills for a Pipeline Engineer
  • Work Experience for a Pipeline Engineer
  • Recommended Qualifications for a Pipeline Engineer
  • Pipeline Engineer Career Path
  • Pipeline Engineer Professional Development
  • Learn More
  • Conclusion

Introduction - Pipeline Engineer

While other people may have their projects in the pipeline, pipelines themselves are the projects for some professionals. Pipeline Engineers plan, design, and manage complex and extensive pipeline systems to facilitate transporting and distributing liquids and gases across miles and diverse terrains. They work in teams to strengthen infrastructural facilities and utilities, meeting human needs worldwide.

Similar Job Titles Job Description
  • Construction Inspector
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  • City Engineer
  • Field Engineer
  • Development Manager

 

What does a Pipeline Engineer do?

What are the typical responsibilities of a Pipeline Engineer?

A Pipeline Engineer would typically need to:

  • Use engineering principles to design, plan, construct, and oversee the installation and operation of onshore and offshore pipeline systems that transport crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum,  thereby enhancing infrastructure and standard utilities 
  • Carry out maintenance, repairs, and upgrades; run quality control tests to ensure compliance with technical & safety regulations 
  • Meet with clients to discuss project plans and define pipeline requirements
  • Conduct site measurement using various instruments and determine materials; draft blueprints integrating measurements into designs
  • Prepare and present proposals, needs assessment, timelines, budgets, pipeline layouts, and flow simulations to clients and colleagues
  • Conduct site surveys and research to determine pipeline specifications & placement, and pump sizes; ensure that the construction site & process and the transportation of hazardous goods comply with legal and health, hygiene & safety stipulations
  •  Study and develop routes; factor in environmental impact and risks and geological features; conduct feasibility studies; apply computer modelling software to analyse survey data, tests and maps
  • Use CAD (computer-aided design) to create models and digital maps, blueprints, and mechanical diagrams of the proposed pipeline systems
  • Design pipelines with different coating solutions that follow standards and suit the goods to be transported
  • Ensure uninterrupted pipeline flows by anticipating the density and other characteristics of goods when designing or maintaining pipelines
  • Design boreholes; sample and analyse surface water and groundwater
  • Work on the site to supervise construction; ensure that it progresses to plan and is completed accurately, staying within time and budget estimates; report to clients, public agencies, and the planning organisation
  • Test new installations; perform integrity and corrosion control on older systems to check and fix any current or potential leaks
  • Manage large teams; work with the team composed of surveyors, construction managers, architects, landscape architects, and urban planners
  • Keep up to date with the newest design software, technical standards, and construction techniques

Pipeline Engineer Work Environment

Pipeline Engineers carry out their design work and calculations in a computer-based office environment or spend time briefing clients. 

 

However, they must also make frequent trips into the field to construction sites where they monitor operations, lead teams, conduct surveys and analyses, tackle onsite issues, and liaise with other engineers and professionals engaged in pipeline projects.

 

Construction sites could be remote and inhospitable. For instance, if you work on a project in Alaska, you may need to tackle emergencies in extreme weather conditions.

 

Often, Pipeline Engineers spend long periods away from home attending to projects. They frequently work from their vehicles as they move between sites.

You may also  travel overseas to collaborate on large multinational engineering projects.

Work Schedule

Pipeline Engineers typically work full-time. When based in design offices or government service, they may work 37-40 hours a week. However, on-site working hours are likely to be longer to meet the project’s demands, extending to evenings and weekends. Site engineers must be prepared to be on call round the clock.

Employers

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Pipeline Engineers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. 

 

Pipeline Engineers are generally employed by: 

  • Oil & Gas Industry
  • Renewable Energy
  • Chemical Manufacturing 
  • Water & Gas Infrastructure
  • Consulting Firms
  • Architectural Services
  • Building Contractors
  • Government Agencies
  • Urban Planning Authorities
  • Transport Planners
  • Water Authorities
  • Transport Agencies
  • Contractors
  • Mining & Drilling Sector
  • Sewerage Systems
Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Pipe Line & Offshore.

 

Contractors Association (IPLOCA), are crucial for a Pipeline Engineer interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges
  • The need for an understanding of a wide range of topics since pipeline engineering brings together several fields of engineering
  • Factoring in numerous pipeline codes and standards, calculation approaches, and reference materials to make accurate and informed decisions
  • Stamina needed to travel and work in harsh weather conditions
  • Facing hazardous conditions during fieldwork
  • Maintaining professional licenses

Work Experience for a Pipeline Engineer

Apply for internships and cooperative programs while in high school. Hands-on experience working with engineers adds to your resume and provides insights into an engineering career.

Bachelor’s degree programs in engineering that a potential Pipeline Engineer undertakes may incorporate a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. Some energy corporations offer structured field internships paired with scholarship programs. To qualify, you may need to fulfil requirements, such as specific licenses and enrollment in accredited study programs. 


Reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working in Pipeline Engineers will offer proof of your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

A civil engineering program would generally provide you with a blend of classroom lectures and laboratory and fieldwork. It is handy to have  experience using pipeline construction techniques, including welding, excavation, and assembly.  You must also aim to acquire field training after you graduate. Typically, four years of entry-level job experience would qualify you to earn licensure as a professional engineer.

 

Although not mandatory, it is handy for prospective Pipeline Engineers to have experience using  trade software, such as AutoPIPE, OFFPIPE, and PipelineStudio, and technical programs, such as MathCad and Abaqus, before they work in the field.

Recommended Qualifications for a Pipeline Engineer

A bachelor’s degree program in engineering, typically taking four years to complete, is essential to become a Pipeline Engineer. You may enter the field from several engineering specialisations, including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, materials engineering, chemical engineering, or petroleum engineering. College courses typically include mathematics, physics, statistics, engineering mechanics, and fluid dynamics.

 

Given the goal of an engineering degree, high school students should study advanced mathematics, the sciences, computer science, English and even any of the humanities. However, some universities provide a foundation year in engineering and technology to students who lack a background in science and mathematics. 

Depending on your location, you may also take the recognised route of advanced apprenticeships that some employers offer in the form of structured training and combine it with higher learning leading to a degree.

 

Take courses to build your proficiency in mechanical design software such as AutoCAD and PipelineStudio.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Certification demonstrates a Pipeline Engineer’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. 

 

Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant.Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

 

Pipeline Engineers may acquire certification from engineering associations. Some locations may require them to be certified by authorities in charge of security as safe to access to secured areas in the maritime transportation system.


Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. Typically, you need a  license that allows you to work as a professional engineer and engage in engineering projects that deal with the public directly and impact life, health, and property, particularly in the government sector. You may also need it to advance to senior positions.

 

If you choose to acquire a licence, you must fulfil the requisite educational qualifications from accredited college programs, gain the mandatory practical experience, and take prescribed exams to qualify for a professional license.

 

Typically, you will be examined on the fundamentals of engineering as well as your area of specialisation.

 

Keep in mind, however, that even if you have professional engineering licensure, certification will help you highlight your area of expertise to prospective or current employers.


You may also be  registered as an incorporated or chartered engineer by professional bodies. These credentials allow you to apply and manage technology within areas of civil engineering or lead teams of professionals as they devise civil engineering solutions and applications, of which pipeline systems are a crucial component.

Pipeline Engineer Career Path

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. 

Job Prospects

Candidates with the necessary skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects. Those ready to work on both on- and off-shore pipeline projects and travel internationally have enhanced job prospects.

Pipeline Engineer Professional Development

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Pipeline Engineer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

 

Aim to acquire certifications during your career to develop skills and knowledge and give yourself a competitive edge in the job market. You would also need to undertake continuing education (CE) to stay current with advancements in your field and maintain your licensure.

Some pipeline engineers employed on offshore drilling projects may need extra training or credentials to self-evaluate project progression or troubleshoot a problem.

Whether you are a fresh recruit or a practising Pipeline Engineer, you may avail of various online certificate courses offered by accredited colleges to help you gain deeper and wider knowledge. You can choose to enhance your multidisciplinary perspective of pipelines and the full cycle of pipeline engineering and design.Or you can learn about the specifics of construction and routing, pipeline economics & asset management, or specialise in subsea pipeline engineering.

 

Take courses that help you build a solid grasp of the applicable standards and specifications related to pipeline design, operation and maintenance. You will also benefit from reinforcing your understanding of engineering principles governing liquid and gas flow and their link with pipeline design. Learning about key performance indicators will help you measure pipeline performance.

Learn More

History of Civil and Pipeline Engineering


An ancient branch of engineering, civil engineering has existed from the time of permanent settlements when humans started to mould their environment to fulfil their needs. Growing populations and the emergence of towns and cities created the need for reliable water supply, waste disposal, defence, and transportation networks and infrastructure such as roadways to facilitate studies, business, and leisure. The earliest civil engineers built walls, roads, bridges, and dams and dug wells, ditches for irrigation, and trenches. Famous ancient and pre-industrial civil engineering projects include Roman roads, the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, Stonehenge, Mayan ruins and more.

Pipeline engineering has also existed for centuries. Ancient Egypt, Rome and Mesopotamia used pipes made of clay or stone, while ancient China used bamboo pipes. The discovery and use of petroleum and automobile development created the need for oil pipelines, which came into existence over a century ago and has led to more than 3,500,000 km of pipelines worldwide today, with new systems under construction.

 

What are Pipelines?


Pipelines are lines of pipe or conduits fitted with control devices to transport liquids, gases, and slurries. Pipelines vary in diameter from 5 centimetres for use in oil-well gathering systems to 9 metres for water and sewage networks. In most cases, they are laid underground, and sections of pipe are welded together. Construction materials include metal, such as steel, cast iron, and aluminium, or even concrete, clay products, PVC, and plastics.

 

What are Pipeline Systems?

 

Pipeline systems are complex structures that include pipes, fittings (valves and joints), and pumps (compressors or blowers). Essential parts of the system are the booster stations (intermediate pumping stations on the pipeline path) and storage facilities connected to the pipe. Also included in the system are the intake & outlet structures, sensors such as flowmeters, and automatic control equipment, including computers. A critical component is the communication system employing microwaves, cables, and satellites. When cryogenic liquids, such as liquefied natural gas and liquid carbon dioxide, need to be transported, refrigeration systems maintain them at low temperatures.

Pipeline Construction Processes


As a Pipeline Engineer, your work would often begin with surveying routes. Ditching or trenching would come next, followed by resourcing and transporting pipe sections, fittings, and necessary resources to the site. Next would come stringing pipes within the ditch, following its path and bending the lines as the topography dictates. Coating and wrapping the steel pipes joined before or after placing them underground is an important step. It is critical to check for any welding errors or leakage at joints and finally pack trenches up with soil, restoring the land to its original appearance. Segments of large pipelines may take up to six months to construct, and those of small pipelines may be done in days.

 

Pipeline Operations

 

Computers at the company headquarters maintain automatic long-distance control over pipeline operations. Computerised control includes monitoring parameters such as pressure and flow rates at locations along the length of the pipe, making online computations, and conveying commands to the field for valve and pump control. Manual intervention helps modify the automatic operation, for instance, to direct batches of fuel to different storage tanks or to shut down and restart the system.

 

Pipeline Precautions

 

Pipeline safety depends greatly on the materials to transport. Water does not harm the environment or cause an explosion. A rupture does not cause crude oil lines to explode but may pollute waters and soil. Volatile liquids, such as natural gas and gasoline, must receive the most significant protection. Even so, pipelines are considered the safest transportation method.

 

Pipeline companies educate the public about pipeline safety and inform construction groups about the locations of underground pipeline locations in order to reduce third-party damage. Corrosion control and leak detection are crucial to the prevention of pipeline failures and accidents.

 

Pipeline Pros

 

As a mode of transportation for liquids and gases, pipelines score over road and rail transport because they are more environment-friendly, more immune to theft, and more economical, safe, convenient, and reliable. Even solid cargo, such as grain, concrete, pulp, machine parts, and books, have been moved through them.

Conclusion

Call them specialised civil engineers or Pipeline Engineers. Either way, the work they do is a critical component of the oil and gas industry and has a far-reaching impact on diverse aspects of daily human life, from cooking to travel. As a Pipeline Engineer, you would have a vast variety of sites worldwide, inland and maritime, to work on as you design and create pipeline and pumping systems to transport and distribute essential goods through miles of pipelines.  

Advice from the Wise

Try to spend time with clients. It is crucial to learn of and understand the issues they confront and discuss in detail how you and your company can provide support in resolving them.

Did you know?

“Smart pigs” are a way to assess the internal condition of pipelines and ensure safe functioning. These devices ensure proper pipe structure, detect corrosion or leaks and can also clean pipelines.

Introduction - Pipeline Engineer
What does a Pipeline Engineer do?

What do Pipeline Engineers do?

A Pipeline Engineer would typically need to:

  • Use engineering principles to design, plan, construct, and oversee the installation and operation of onshore and offshore pipeline systems that transport crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum,  thereby enhancing infrastructure and standard utilities 
  • Carry out maintenance, repairs, and upgrades; run quality control tests to ensure compliance with technical & safety regulations 
  • Meet with clients to discuss project plans and define pipeline requirements
  • Conduct site measurement using various instruments and determine materials; draft blueprints integrating measurements into designs
  • Prepare and present proposals, needs assessment, timelines, budgets, pipeline layouts, and flow simulations to clients and colleagues
  • Conduct site surveys and research to determine pipeline specifications & placement, and pump sizes; ensure that the construction site & process and the transportation of hazardous goods comply with legal and health, hygiene & safety stipulations
  •  Study and develop routes; factor in environmental impact and risks and geological features; conduct feasibility studies; apply computer modelling software to analyse survey data, tests and maps
  • Use CAD (computer-aided design) to create models and digital maps, blueprints, and mechanical diagrams of the proposed pipeline systems
  • Design pipelines with different coating solutions that follow standards and suit the goods to be transported
  • Ensure uninterrupted pipeline flows by anticipating the density and other characteristics of goods when designing or maintaining pipelines
  • Design boreholes; sample and analyse surface water and groundwater
  • Work on the site to supervise construction; ensure that it progresses to plan and is completed accurately, staying within time and budget estimates; report to clients, public agencies, and the planning organisation
  • Test new installations; perform integrity and corrosion control on older systems to check and fix any current or potential leaks
  • Manage large teams; work with the team composed of surveyors, construction managers, architects, landscape architects, and urban planners
  • Keep up to date with the newest design software, technical standards, and construction techniques
Pipeline Engineer Work Environment
Work Experience for a Pipeline Engineer
Recommended Qualifications for a Pipeline Engineer
Pipeline Engineer Career Path
Pipeline Engineer Professional Development
Learn More
Did you know?
Conclusion

Holland Codes, people in this career generally possess the following traits
  • R Realistic
  • I Investigative
  • A Artistic
  • S Social
  • E Enterprising
  • C Conventional
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that this career profile addresses
Affordable and Clean Energy Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Responsible Consumption and Production