Modelling of Materials Management System for Cross-country Pipeline Project from Client’s Perspective

Abstract

In managing a pipeline construction project, the selection of vendors, the procurement of materials, developing optimum inspection policy, planning and managing the inflow of materials at different point of time, managing desired level of inventory, proper storage of materials, managing outflow of materials backed up with flow less transportation process and minimizing of wastages at the construction site are big challenges faced by all clients of a cross-country pipeline project. Therefore, on this backdrop, an attempt has been made to construct a materials management system that is applicable for the construction of a cross-country pipeline project. In this context, the objective of this research work is to model the materials management system by applying different methods to take care of vendor selection, materials inspection, materials storage, materials transportation, controlling stock, and managing wastage of materials at the project construction. The methods used for conducting this research work are Garret’s rating technique, and physical system theory (PST). After reviewing different problems faced by the Morbi–Mundra pipeline project team of Gujarat State Petronet Ltd (GSPL), it is expected that the model developed would remove problems faced by GSPL and would facilitate different clients of a pipeline project to complete the project without any time and cost overrun.