Pipeline Things

Rhett Dotson & Christopher De Leon

Christopher and Rhett live for pipelines. Seriously. We’re not joking. Out of all things (and against all odds), pipelines are their passion. On this Pipeline Things podcast, these two share what they know, how they know it, and why you should know it too. Think Pipeliners Digest, but make it funny. Listen to the Pipeline Things podcast every other Wednesday for a hearty dose of relevant, trustworthy advice that cuts through the noise and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Pipeline Things is brought to you by D2 Integrity and produced by ADV Marketing.

  1. CIGMA-x is Sigma? Navigating Gen Z Slang and Novel Gas Crack Detection Technology with NDT Global

    2D AGO

    CIGMA-x is Sigma? Navigating Gen Z Slang and Novel Gas Crack Detection Technology with NDT Global

    In a review of excavations triggered by EMAT results, about 80% of excavations revealed either a) no present anomaly features or b) anomalies unrelated to cracking. But we know the whole story is more complicated than that. Not all EMAT technology works the same way, and this gap highlighted an opportunity for ILI vendors to step in and serve the market. Working hand in hand with an operator, NDT Global has developed a high-resolution inspection tool for gas systems that uses guided ultrasonic waves to detect crack features. Their PPIM 2026 paper, Development and Validation of a Novel Gas Crack Detection Tool Using Guided Waves, highlights the development and validation of the tool. In this episode of Pipeline Things, Rhett and Christopher are joined by Michael Haas, Head of Sensor & Measurement Technology, and Rogelio Guajardo, Director, Product Management, of NDT Global, as they dive into the specific capabilities of this new technology, called CIGMA-x (also referred to as CIGMA). Highlights: Exploring how EMAT shortcomings shaped this new technology development Discussing the 30-inch gas test loop, specially designed to test CIGMA-x capabilities with simulated features Breaking down primary tool capabilities and major findings from full-scale testing   References: Hubert, D. Bag, M. Haas, R. Guajardo and T. Hennig, "Development and Validation of a Novel Gas Crack Detection Tool Using Guided Waves," in Pipeline Pigging & Integrity Management, Houston, 2026. Hubert, T. Hennig, M. Chandrasekaran, K. Baraniecki and O. Shabarchin, "Closing the Gap on Crack Detection for Gas Transmission Pipelines," in 15th International Pipeline Conference (IPC2024), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2024. Connect:    Rhett Dotson    Christopher De Leon    Michael Haas Rogelio Guajardo   D2 Integrity    Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!    Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.     D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.       Copyright 2026 © D2 Integrity

    44 min
  2. “Permanent” Repairs are Forever—or Something Like That, with Tim Mally

    MAR 18

    “Permanent” Repairs are Forever—or Something Like That, with Tim Mally

    How long should a permanent repair last? 50 years? Until the next scheduled maintenance? According to RSPA 98-4733, “permanent” means as long as the pipe will be in service under normal operating and maintenance conditions. In this episode of Pipeline Things, Rhett and Chris sit down with returning special guest Tim Mally to break down the concept of repair permanency, what it means from a code perspective, and what factors can influence the permanency of composite repairs. Highlights: Breaking down what the code says about repair “permanence” What factors affect composite repair permanency Criteria to consider for composite reinforcement of non-standard features Evaluating existing composite repairs for permanency   Connect:    Rhett Dotson    Christopher De Leon    Tim Mally D2 Integrity    Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!    Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.     D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.       Copyright 2025 © D2 Integrity

    41 min
  3. Come for the Turbocharger, Stay for the Brisket, with Rienk De Vries

    MAR 4

    Come for the Turbocharger, Stay for the Brisket, with Rienk De Vries

    There’s a lot to learn about difficult-to-inspect ILI tools, and who better to learn it from than the one and only Rienk de Vries from Intero. In this episode of Pipeline Things, Rhett and Chris sit down with returning special guest Rienk de Vries, as they explore the wild west of difficult-to-inspect in-line inspection technology. It’s a conversation filled with details of Intero’s capabilities and advancements in recent years, how they’ve been changed, and where future opportunities might lie. Highlights: Recent developments in Intero’s modular robotic MFL fleet What does the development cycle for these kinds of tools look like? What will it take to get a turbocharger? What is in store for future developments?   Connect:    Rhett Dotson    Christopher De Leon    Rienk de Vries D2 Integrity    Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!    Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.     D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.       Copyright 2025 © D2 Integrity

    35 min
  4. Statistical Relationship Status? It's Complicated: Geohazards with Alex McKenzie-Johnson

    FEB 18

    Statistical Relationship Status? It's Complicated: Geohazards with Alex McKenzie-Johnson

    UFO sightings in New Mexico correlate with patents granted in the US. Popularity of the first name Alix correlates with carjackings in the US. Obviously, correlations can tell us a lot while also telling us nothing at all. In this episode of Pipeline Things, we dive into geohazards, geohazard statistics, and how the stories they tell aren’t always what they seem.  Tune in as Rhett Dotson and Christopher De Leon return with The Dirt Merchant to discuss why shark attacks appear to rise with ice cream consumption, and what Alex’s PPIM 2026 paper tells us about the prevalence of landslides and hydrotechnical events over time.  Highlights:  The use and limitations of the PHMSA significant incident database.  The impacts of data quality  The key question: Are we getting better at managing geohazards?  Is it too soon to tell if our geohazard programs are working?  How consumer behavior affects industry patterns related to failures.  Bonus: For other fun correlations, visit tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations. It’s a hoot and half if you’re a stat nerd like we are.  Connect:     Rhett Dotson     Christopher De Leon     Alexander McKenzie-Johnson   D2 Integrity     Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!     Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.      D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.         Copyright 2026 © D2 Integrity

    47 min
  5. Chipping Away At Cross-Border Differences with Dr. Nicki Robertson

    12/24/2025

    Chipping Away At Cross-Border Differences with Dr. Nicki Robertson

    Canada may be just across the border, but when it comes to pipeline integrity management, the differences can make it feel like we’re oceans apart. Learn how each country balances the world of politics and regulators, the key differences in engineering approaches, and the distinction between performance versus prescriptive culture. In this episode of Pipeline Things, Rhett and Chris bring on Dr. Nicki Robertson, who is currently standing up D2 Integrity’s Canadian office, to discuss pipeline regulations across borders. Highlights: Key differences and similarities between each country’s regulatory environment How each country approaches interpreting regulations Relationships between operators and regulators Ensuring sound engineering for engineering assessments Connect:    Rhett Dotson    Christopher De Leon    Nicki Robertson D2 Integrity    Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!    Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.     D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.       Copyright 2025 © D2 Integrity

    43 min
  6. That’s So Mega: What the Mega Rule Part 3 Means for Gas Gathering Lines with Mark Ryan

    12/10/2025

    That’s So Mega: What the Mega Rule Part 3 Means for Gas Gathering Lines with Mark Ryan

    On this episode of the Pipeline Things podcast, Rhett and Christopher sit down with guest Mark Ryan of Phillips 66 to discuss the impact of Part Three of the PHMSA Mega Rule on onshore gas gathering lines, 8-inch and up. The discussion confronts the reality that with its adoption, there are no longer any unregulated gas lines. Highlights: Motivations behind the rule stem from a wide-scale effort to reduce emissions across the pipeline industry. Enhanced compliance thresholds for gas gathering lines have introduced challenges and opportunities for pipeline operators, like new classifications and reporting requirements. Implications of prescriptive vs. performance-based integrity management as the gas gathering space continues to evolve. If you haven’t thought of the impact of the Mega Rule on gathering lines before, or if you’re knee deep in the new regulations, this episode is for you. Connect:    Mark Ryan Rhett Dotson    Christopher De Leon    D2 Integrity    Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!    Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.     D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.       Copyright 2025 © D2 Integrity

    49 min
  7. What Makes an Effective Composite Repair & That Thing They Say About Boxes of Chocolate, with Tim Mally

    11/26/2025

    What Makes an Effective Composite Repair & That Thing They Say About Boxes of Chocolate, with Tim Mally

    Excavating an anomaly flagged during an in-line inspection can sometimes feel like opening a box of chocolates. Say it with us, now: “You never know what you’re going to get.”   When determining whether a composite system is a suitable repair option, defining permanency (i.e., What does permanent mean to you?), evaluating the long-term strength of the system, and understanding the role of adhesion all come into play.   In this episode of Pipeline Things, Rhett and Chris sit down with special guest Tim Mally to discuss the ins and outs of using composites, common installation issues, and some of the major challenges with composite repairs.   Highlights:  Essential variables considered when evaluating composite repair applicability  The importance of surface prep and proper adhesion for a successful composite repair   Exploring the heightened scrutiny of composite repairs compared to alternative methods  Common questions with ensuring “permanency” of composite repairs  Connect:     Rhett Dotson     Christopher De Leon     Tim Mally  D2 Integrity     Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!     Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.      D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.         Copyright 2025 © D2 Integrity

    46 min
  8. What’s the Deal with Water Crossings? With Fernando Curiel

    11/12/2025

    What’s the Deal with Water Crossings? With Fernando Curiel

    On this episode of the Pipeline Things podcast, Rhett and Christopher sit down with Fernando Curiel of ExxonMobil to discuss the technical and organizational challenges of managing water crossings. Highlights: Real-world considerations, dependencies, risks, and implications of operator approaches to vortex-induced vibration (VIV) Lessons learned from the Yellowstone River pipeline failure Operator strategies for managing water crossings, including inventory of crossings, data collection and integration, and risk assessment, prioritization, & potential mitigations This episode is a must-listen for pipeline integrity engineers or anyone focused on building a safer, more transparent pipeline industry. Connect:    Rhett Dotson    Christopher De Leon    Fernando Curiel D2 Integrity    Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment or rating!    Pipeline Things is presented by D2 Integrity and produced by FORME Marketing.     D2 Integrity (D2I) is providing this podcast as an educational resource, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of D2I policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by D2 Integrity. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by D2I employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of D2I or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact Sarah Etier at sarah.etier@forme-mktg.com.    Copyright 2025 © D2 Integrity

    42 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Christopher and Rhett live for pipelines. Seriously. We’re not joking. Out of all things (and against all odds), pipelines are their passion. On this Pipeline Things podcast, these two share what they know, how they know it, and why you should know it too. Think Pipeliners Digest, but make it funny. Listen to the Pipeline Things podcast every other Wednesday for a hearty dose of relevant, trustworthy advice that cuts through the noise and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Pipeline Things is brought to you by D2 Integrity and produced by ADV Marketing.

Information

  • Creator
    Rhett Dotson & Christopher De Leon
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rhett Dotson & Christopher De Leon
  • Show Website
    Pipeline Things

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