Inspection
27-Day ILI Run: A Case Study of a Low-Pressure, Low-Flow Gathering Line
In 2011, a customer, who was in a difficult situation, approached Pipesurvey International (PSI). The customer had a pipeline that ran from the Q1 Field in the North Sea 52 miles (81 km) off the coast of The Netherlands, to an offshore terminal that needed an in-line inspection (ILI).
US Tells Buyers of CPC Oil to Be Wary of Suspicious Non-Russian Origin Papers
The U.S. Treasury told buyers to be cautious if they think certificates stating crude from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium is not of Russian origin have been falsified.
Extending Our Capabilities to Integrity and Beyond
In-line inspection (ILI) has long been the go-to method to prove the integrity of pipelines but what happens after the inspection report has been delivered?
Safer Operations with Geospatial Analytics
Geospatial analytics has come a long way from its inception in the early 80s. Today’s high-resolution satellites can survey each square foot of the entire earth’s surface and can do so daily.
After Ida, U.S. Pipelines Offline, Being Assessed
Oil and gas pipeline operators on Monday checked for damage after Hurricane Ida hit major energy hubs as a Category 4 storm on Sunday and caused widespread power outages.
Companies Merge Technologies to Enhance Pipeline Integrity
Pipetel Technologies and Intero Integrity Services merged in January, combining the two inline inspection companies, each with a track record of innovation in the space of unpiggable pipeline inspection.
Options for Internal Inspection of Difficult-to-Check Pipelines
In the second part of this article, different case studies introduce the different categories of tools for the inspection of challenging pipelines, including specialty free-swimming, umbilical and robotic.
Using Remote Monitoring to Evaluate Pipeline Lightning Immunity
While lightning itself does not cause corrosion, the damage it creates to a pipe’s walls, coatings and cathodic protection (CP) system can leave a pipeline vulnerable.
Canada’s Pipetel Merges with Intero Integrity Services
Intero Integrity Services, backed by First Reserve, announced announce the completion of a merger with Pipetel Technologies, an innovative service provider to the gas utility industry specializing in robotic inline inspection of challenging pipelines.
When Pipelines Strain Assessment Exceeds Capacity
There are many advantages of combining multiple inspection technologies to effectively build a picture of the pipeline condition and how it changes over time.
Pipeline Challenges Limits of Leak-Tight Pipeline Isolation Capabilities
Maintaining the integrity of piping and pipeline infrastructure continues to be of vital importance to owners and operators, particularly as a higher number of pipelines move into their fourth and fifth decade of operation, far beyond their original design life.
A Clearer Picture: How Phased Array UT Delivers 3-D Results
Today’s advanced phased array UT instruments and software give technicians the computing power to transform traditional 2-D inspection data into full-color 3-D visualizations
Using Phased Array UT in Lieu of Radiography for Weld Inspections
Since its introduction in the early 2000s, phased array ultrasonic testing (UT) instruments have been embraced by NDT service providers for weld inspections in lieu of RT.
European Personnel Firms Awarded Work on Baltic Pipe Project
Three European oil and gas personnel firms have been awarded contracts to supply workers to assist construction on the EU-backed Baltic Pipe Project.
Enbridge Contractor Vessels May Have Bumped Pipeline Support
Enbridge has reported the findings of its investigation into minor damage of its Line 5 pipeline that occurred last month revealing the possibility that a vessel operated by one of the company's contractors may have been responsible.
Correct Pigs, Procedures for Hydrostatic Testing of New Pipelines
Laying a cross-country pipeline is expensive. Many hours of engineering and planning must meet certain standards and regulations and receive federal government approval before starting construction. It costs approximately $100,000 per diameter-inch-mile to build a pipeline in a reasonable lay area. This number can easily triple in marsh lands, hills, mountains and rocky terrain. In those areas it could cost about $20 million to lay 100 miles (161 km) of 20-inch pipe.
PHMSA Eases Pipeline Regulations, Enforcement in Response to Pandemic
Responding to the impact Covid-19 on midstream staffing and resources, PHMSA has issued two guidance documents to ease some operating requirements, allow discretion in enforcement and provide flexibility to support the critical needs of state and industry partners.
Evolution of Ultrasonic Inline Inspection
Inline inspection (ILI) by means of intelligent pigging has become a standard application to ensure the safe operation of pipelines worldwide. Ultrasonic inspection tools have proven successful for crack and metal loss inspections of liquid pipelines.
Transneft Diascan Inspected Over 55,000 Kilometers of Trunk Pipelines in 2019
Russian owned Transneft Diascan performed inspections of 55,400 kilometers (34,400 miles) of Transneft trunk pipelines in 2019.
Doosan, Skyfire Consulting Partner for Long-Range Pipeline-Inspection Project
Skyfire Consulting, a public safety drone consultancy, has announced a partnership with Doosan Mobility Innovations to launch a long-range pipeline-inspection project with a major U.S. pipeline operator.
Drones on Deck to Make Pipeline Inspections Safer, More Efficient
Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to inspect pipelines is one of the most promising uses of new technologies that our industry has ever seen. Unmanned aerial vehicles, often called drones, can be launched from nearly any location, controlled remotely and programmed to operate autonomously.
Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight Drone Inspects Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks recently made history by completing the first true beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight under the small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) rule.
Robotics Applications Making Advances in Norway
In the oil and gas industry, the use of robots, whether fixed or mobile, is not new, as such devices were introduced to a lesser extent in the 1970s. Today, however, we are beginning to see highly advanced applications of such robotics being used.
Improving Data Loss During In-Line Inspections
Although there are other inspection methods, such as direct assessment or hydrostatic testing, ILIs are the most popular worldwide due to number of factors, including practicality, cost-effectiveness and accuracy.
PHMSA Publishes "Mega" Rule After Nearly A Decade of Work
U.S. transportation officials on Tuesday adopted long-delayed measures that are meant to prevent pipeline spills and deadly gas explosions but don't address recommended steps to lessen accidents once they occur.
Iran Checks Cyber Security at Key Energy Sites
Iran has launched an inspection of security at its key Gulf oil and gas facilities, including preparedness for cyber attacks, the Oil Ministry news agency SHANA said, following media reports of Washington weighing possible cyber attacks on Tehran.
Feds Recommend New Requirements After Natural Gas Disaster
Federal officials are recommending stronger nationwide requirements for natural gas systems following last September's natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts.
Digital Alternative to In-Line Inspection
There are two traditional schools of thought for monitoring internal corrosion in pipelines. One advocates the use of theoretical modeling techniques to predict the location, severity and behavior of corrosion; the other favors inline inspection (ILI) as a means to measure corrosion directly.
East Africa’s Leakage Incidents Points to Detection Needs
Barely one year after the commissioning of East and Central Africa’s only refined oil transportation pipeline in Kenya, leakages have been reported, raising concerns about the ability of existing government agencies to monitor the safety of oil infrastructure at a time when similar projects have been unveiled across the region.
Flow Meter Provides Dual Measurements in Single Body
The Transus Instruments UIM-4F Duo natural gas custody transfer ultrasonic flow meter consists of two independent fiscal flow measurements in a single flow meter body, enabling enhanced condition-based diagnostics in a space saving, compact package.
- Keystone Oil Pipeline Resumes Operations After Temporary Shutdown
- Freeport LNG Plant Runs Near Zero Consumption for Fifth Day
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
- Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
- Enbridge to Invest $500 Million in Pipeline Assets, Including Expansion of 850-Mile Gray Oak Pipeline
