Pipeline inspection is an essential activity to better understand the condition of any pipeline, ultimately to ensure that all assets are fully operational with a long life cycle.
iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ can supply a range of both standard and custom cleaning and tracking/location tools that can be used in this initial phase of pipeline cleaning, including but not limited to:
- Bidirectional and cup type cleaning tools – these can be fitted with circular wire brushes, spring mounted brushes, tungsten carbide studs, aluminium gauge plates both solid and segmented, through bypass to minimize build up of debris ahead of the cleaning tool and jetting heads.
- Long bodied tools can be designed to accommodate a whole range of pipeline features such as numerous consecutive off takes, wye features or swing check-valves be supplied fitted with either discs or cups to enable then to travers swing check valves or wye sections.
- All the above can be fitted with radio-active source materials, electromagnetic transmitters, acoustic transmitters, magnets or a combination of all tracking systems to enable the cleaning tools to be tracked while traversing the pipeline section being cleaned.
Benefits of Pipeline Inspection
- Early identification of issues means that solutions can be less costly and maintenance planned so that it is less disruptive to production
- High quality product consistently delivered
- Correct maintenance pigging program can be implemented
- Time effective with efficient detection and solution of potential damage
- Increased throughputs, revenues and profits
The pipeline inspection process is often the first stage in any pigging program in order to assess the damage in a pipeline, any potential issues and the severity of the issues. Subsequent to this, the pigging program can be determined in terms of the activities and tools required to get the assets fully functioning for maximum quality and productivity.
Pipeline design is usually based upon a theoretical corrosion factor versus a perceived operational pressure rating for the pipeline based upon the chemistry of the asset and the predicted corrosion factor for 25 years (see the enclosed design consideration matrix for launcher and receivers). Pipeline inspection is an essential activity to better understand the condition of any pipeline and how the actual performance is when compared against the theoretical conceptual prediction based on the front end engineering design (FEED) phase.
Ultimately pipeline inspection by means intelligent pigs, using ultra-sonic or magnetic flux techniques, is to ensure that all assets are fully operational and safe with the longest life cycle possible. It should be remembered that many operational changes can occur over the course of the life cycle of a pipeline and they can often operate safely and properly well beyond the original design lifetime for the pipeline if correctly monitored, cleaned and maintained. The pipeline inspection process often follows a pipeline cleaning regime or pigging program to ensure the pipeline is clean. Efficient cleaning is fundamental to any inspection process in order provide accuracy of information which will allow reliable data with which to assess the damage in a pipeline, any potential issues and the severity of the issues.
