Quest Integrity announces new pipeline software

Quest Integrity Group has announced Pacifica™, a new software solution to perform pressure cycle fatigue analysis on seam crack flaws in pipelines.

In ageing pipelines, failures can occur after long run times due to an accumulation of pressure cycles.

Since the safety and environmental consequences of a pipeline failure are so significant, Quest Integrity Group developed Pacifica to help operators manage the cyclic fatigue on their pipelines.

Software solution for pressure cycle fatigue

Based on the American Petroleum Institute's advanced Fracture Mechanics methodology, this software solution helps operators meet regulatory expectations, observe best practices, and effectively manage the risk of failure due to pressure cycle fatigue.

In addition, this solution increases the information yield from operators' existing investments in SCADA systems and online monitoring sensors.

Failure growth analysis

Fatigue growth analysis is performed using actual pressure data for real-time monitoring, while hydraulic modelling determines true pressure loading at crack locations throughout the pipeline for accurate growth predictions.

Pacifica also uses a database structure to store pressure data for future analysis. With the support of Quest Integrity engineers, the analysis data guides prioritization of anomaly investigations, hydrotest and inline inspection schedules, material property testing requirements and evaluation of the impact of operations on seam weld integrity.

Analytics

"Pacifica adds to Quest Integrity's advanced analytics solution set focusing on pipeline integrity management. Pipeline operators can accurately model crack fatigue growth in pipelines, set re-inspection schedules, prioritise anomaly investigations and enhance their overall programme," said Ian Smith, Product Manager - Pacifica at Quest Integrity Group.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/14032014/quest_integrity_announces_new_pipeline_software/