When “Nice to Have” Becomes “Must Have”
The true cost of ignoring traceability in pipeline projects.
In capital-intensive industries like energy, innovation adoption is rarely quick. That’s especially true for major infrastructure projects where budgets are lean, timelines are tight, and any technology without a guaranteed ROI is met with skepticism. At Vintri Technologies, we understand this firsthand. Since launching our data management solution in 2020, we’ve heard it called “interesting” more times than we can count—but too often, it’s still seen as a nice-to-have rather than a must-have.
But “interesting” doesn’t cut it when a project is on the line.
Often, we hear from operators that our solution seems like a “nice to have,” not a “must have.” This perspective, while common, is risky—and in some cases, extremely costly. One of the most powerful illustrations of that comes from a 2024 project where our team was brought in too late, after millions were already at stake. Here’s what happened.
The High Cost of Untraceable Midstream Records
Why assumptions—and ignoring expert solutions—can put your project at risk
The Challenge: A Costly Oversight
In 2024, a U.S.-based operator kicked off construction of a new 80-mile pipeline. While the operator had successfully used Vintri on previous builds, they opted not to deploy us this time. Instead, they followed the recommendation of a survey contractor who assured the team that their services alone would ensure full PHMSA TVC (Traceable, Verifiable, Complete) compliance.
Unfortunately, that assumption proved disastrous.
By the time the operator’s QA/QC team flagged traceability issues and brought Vintri in near the project’s end, over 250 components had already been buried without proper records. The result? A potential $60 million in integrity digs, plus the undisclosed cost of downtime while the new line was under review.
The Impact: A Reactive—and Expensive—Response
A deep dive by Vintri revealed the extent of the problem:
123 missing MTRs (Material Test Reports) with unique heat numbers
149 heat number discrepancies due to manual entry errors
250+ issues requiring urgent investigation and verification
What could have been caught early with proactive data validation became a high-stakes scramble. These weren’t just spreadsheet problems—they were material and construction record gaps with serious compliance, safety, and financial implications. And while the operator may still recover, the survey contractor now faces a claim that could lead to insolvency.
The Lesson: Data Traceability Isn’t Optional
This case makes it clear: data integrity and traceability aren’t luxuries. They’re essential. Relying on traditional processes, manual reviews, or generalized contractors opens the door to risks that a purpose-built solution like Vintri is specifically designed to avoid.
Operators may not always feel the pain of poor records right away—but when regulators, auditors, or internal QA teams uncover discrepancies, the cost can be staggering. And with the 2028 PHMSA MAOP halfway deadline fast approaching, the pressure to get material records in order is only increasing.
More Than One Way to Lose
While the case above focused on missing records, there’s another operator example that shows how too many records can be just as dangerous.
In this situation, a turnover package from a distributor mistakenly included a Class B fitting that was never installed. The regulator, upon finding the record, demanded proof that it hadn’t been used. The operator couldn’t provide it—and as a result, they had to reduce the operating pressure of the line by nearly a third.
Figure 1.0: Vintri’s Data Management Solution
The Takeaway: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Vintri isn’t just about organizing your data. We’re about protecting your projects from risk—before it becomes expensive. From MAOP compliance and PHMSA audits to day-to-day operations and divestitures, our platform ensures that every material and construction record is traceable, verifiable, and complete.
The decision isn’t between “nice to have” and “must have.”
It’s between proactively managing your data—or paying the price later.
Want to see how Vintri can support your next project? Connect with our team today.