Pigging Q&A part one: Baker Hughes

We asked. They answered. Pigging experts from Baker Hughes discuss intelligent pigs and best practice.

By Dr. Stephen Westwood, Baker Hughes, Canada

Q

How would you define a high-resolution inspection tool? What kind of results can you expect from running such tools?

A

The term “high-resolution tool” was coined in the mid 1980s when the industry migrated from its first generation of ILI tools into subsequent generations. Today, just like other industries, vendors continue to introduce new technologies that provide pipeline operators with the best understanding of pipeline integrity. Consequently, what was considered as high-resolution 10 years ago would be less capable than more recent generations of technologies. What is of utmost importance is that combined sensor technology, sizing algorithm optimisation and advanced data interpretation has added a new level in the confidence of inspection results.

High-resolution inspection provides a detailed insight into the potential immediate and future integrity threats to which a specific pipeline is exposed. The real value comes from close co-operation between the operator and the vendor to ensure an understanding of the analysis results and to assist in establishing an effective remediation and mitigation plan.

Q

According to recent data from the NEB (relating to Canada), the past decade has seen a threefold increase in the rate of product releases from pipelines being reported. What is causing this and how does ILI fit in to this picture?

A

On a global basis, pipeline infrastructure is ageing. In some cases, pipelines are being pushed beyond original design life, or undergoing change of service as an alternative to new construction. Inline inspection plays a critical role in ensuring a complete understanding of pipeline condition, whether during ongoing maintenance or for re-use. Although hydrotesting to ensure pipeline strength is an alternative to validate integrity, it cannot provide a quantitative understanding of the entire body of the pipeline in order to establish the basis of a solid risk assessment and mitigation plan. In addition, when multiple inspections are provided throughout the lifetime of the pipeline, data comparison of ILI data is a highly accurate means of understanding the changing condition of the line and identifying new threats early on.

Baker Hughes' CPIG™ MIKRO tool during launch operations.

Q

Are ‘unpiggable pipelines’ a thing of the past?

A

As the inline inspection industry responds to specific pigging challenges, the issues surrounding why lines are unpiggable has declined. During the last decade, tools capable of navigating back-to-back 1.5D bends and dual diameter lines have moved from being a challenge to being a standard design requirement for all inspection tools. The story is similar for lines that have little or no flow; wireline-based inspection tools have solved other pipeline geometry or line-access problems. In addition, given the value of inline inspection, in recent years, many operators have invested in retrofitting pipeline launchers/receivers and removed pipeline fittings or segments that made them unpiggable.

There are still lines that pose a challenge to existing technologies and a few vendors are looking at robotic solutions. Economics will continue to be a deciding factor as to whether these can be made piggable.

The full version of this article is published in the February issue of World Pipelines. To see this article in full, including responses to the questions listed below, click here to subscribe and receive a downloadable PDF of the February issue.

Q

Which technologies are available to inspect circumferential seam welds for small cracks and flaws? Will some small cracks always evade smart pig detection? What is the minimum size of a detectable defect?

Q

How important is it for pipeline engineers to know about pressure and MAOP? How does pressure affect the inspection work you carry out?

Q

How does your company use ILI datasets?

Q

Which codes and practises are crucial towards gaining a better understanding of pipeline integrity?

Q

Which new, or developing, technologies for ILI will have the most impact on the way pipelines are inspected in the future? What other technologies rival smart pigs?

Edited from an article published in the February 2014 issue of World Pipelines by Elizabeth Corner

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/19022014/pigging_qanda_part_one_baker_hughes/