Abstract

NDT Global’s pulse echo metal loss technology with quantitative wall thickness measurement and pitting/pinhole resolution provides reliable detection of metal loss features in and around girth welds. Representing state-of-the-art electronics and incorporating high-resolution sensor carriers, this innovative technology identifies features in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and directly in the girth weld without issues.   

Compared to data acquisition in the straight parts of a pipe joint, a true detection and recording of girth weld features strongly depend on the nature of the girth weld, e.g., its texture, and finishing. During an inline inspection, these conditions can influence the passage of a sensor carrier when crossing a girth weld. 

This paper aims to highlight the impact of the girth weld character on the data recording and data analysis while showing how different the pallet of external and internal metal loss features in and at girth welds can be, partly with severe depths, and how they can be identified in the analysis.  

Speaker 

Willem Vos,

Senior Technical Specialist

Abstract

In the early 21st century, a team of researchers in DNV (Norway) developed an ultrasonic technology for the inline inspection of gas pipelines without using a liquid batch. The technology has subsequently been used to inspect more than 15,000 kilometers of operational gas and liquid pipelines around the world.

The authors are presenting a review of lessons learned during the deployment of this new technology and reflecting on the advantages and limitations.
A summary is presented of validation work completed, both through pull testing and field excavations.

Several different use cases are considered; one being the deployment of acoustic resonance ILI for the baseline inspection of newly constructed gas pipelines. In particular, the others will highlight a number of long-distance gas transmission pipelines that have been inspected using acoustic resonance ILI, and highlight the benefits of ultrasonic baseline for pipelines.
Furthermore, the tools have shown notable flexibility in the field of difficult-to-inspect gas and liquid pipelines. Notably, large diameter variations have been traversed, and bidirectional inspections have been performed, as well as extremely long-duration runs.

A summary of completed work will be of value to all pipeline operators of challenging pipelines, in particular offshore, demonstrating challenging pipeline inspection projects that have been completed successfully.

Speaker 

Christoph Jäger,

Senior Pipeline Integrity Engineer

Abstract

Inline inspection (ILI) plays a pivotal role in pipeline integrity management programs. While ultrasonic technologies (UT) have been a part of ILI vendor portfolios for decades, many operators exclusively rely on magnetic flux leakage (MFL) technology for metal loss inspection. This paper explores real-world experiences highlighting the integrity advantages gained from using UT alone or in combination with MFL, emphasizing the importance of incorporating an off-cycle technology during re-inspections that utilizes a different measurement principle.

The choice of ILI technology depends on factors such as anticipated threats, pipeline conditions, and parameters, which ultimately shape the desired outcome. Additionally, this paper elucidates the distinctions between UT and MFL ILI technologies concerning operational constraints, anomaly detection, sizing, and associated analytical differences. These insights are substantiated by extensive collaboration with a pipeline operator across multiple liquid pipeline assets.