Inspection

Human-Centric Approach to Improving Pipeline NDE Reliability

Non-destructive evaluation is essential to assure long-term integrity of existing pipelines, and human performance is a key element of the NDE process. This article summarizes an effort to identify human performance factors that influence NDE measurements and reliability.

The Future Arrives: Virtual Reality Safety Training

Companies such as Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas Company have begun to explore virtual reality platforms to supplement traditional gas meter safety and inspection training.

GE's Avitas Gains First BLVOS Approval after Shell Oil Study

Avitas Systems, a GE venture, received the first civil approval to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle with radar beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) after a successful study with Shell Oil, marking an important step toward long-range pipeline monitoring with drones.

Regulator Ties Pipeline Work to Deadly Massachusetts Gas Explosion

A NiSource Inc. affiliate failed to require contract repair crews to relocate pressure sensors during natural-gas pipeline work, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday, resulting in over-pressured lines that caused explosions and fires in three Massachusetts communities last month.

Drones: Flights of Fancy or Future of the Energy Industry?

As wildfires again ravaged much of California and other western states, energy industry responders could hardly imagine how their counterparts dealt with similar disasters just a few years ago without drones.

Preparing Pipelines for Successful In-Line Inspection

Gauge pigs provide insight into some conditions inside the pipe, but not all of them. They’re not intended to measure pipeline cleanliness or indicate if debris has built up to the point that it will impair the inspections tool’s data-gathering capabilities.

Pipeline Digs Get Assist From PMO

Performing direct assessments to verify a pipeline’s MAOP is not new, but as federal regulations become more stringent, the volume of digs will increase significantly, and operators need to keep up with the pace.

NACE President Looks to Bolster Corrosion Education

NACE International’s president for 2018, Jeffrey Didas, discusses corrosion education and other issues of importance to the organization in its 75th anniversary year.

Making Simple Smart and Smart Simple: Cost-Effective, Low-Risk Pipeline Inspection

Three brief case studies highlight the challenge, solution and outcome where innovative pigging solutions have been successfully deployed to meet major offshore operator’s requirements.

Introduction to Vibration-Based Leak Detection Technology

There are various technologies available in the market for pipeline leak detection and loss monitoring. While leak detection system cannot reduce the probability of a leak, using the appropriate system for a pipeline can significantly reduce the risk of a leak and rupture.

In-Line Inspection of Low-Pressure, Low-Flow Gas Pipelines

Maintaining control of an In-Line Inspection (ILI) tool’s speed is one of the most critical elements in successfully assessing the condition of a pipeline. Success is defined as receiving an intact tool at the conclusion of the inspection and acquiring data of sufficient quality to achieve the vendor’s sizing and accuracy specifications.

Accessible Pipeline Data Becomes Focal Point of Safety

Many of the world’s most vulnerable pipelines are in developed and municipal areas, where it can be difficult to locate miles of gas pipelines in these regions. And where locations exist, the data may not be in an easily retrievable and shareable format.

Enbridge, Baker Hughes Partner on Enhanced Inspection for Pipeline Safety

Enbridge and G.E. company Baker Hughes launched testing of new, ultrasonic phased array pipeline inspection tool sensors designed to enhance accuracy and identification of crack features and to deliver greater detail on the condition of a pipeline.

Safety Board: Damage During Installation Led to Pipeline Crack

The NTSB said last year’s rupture of the Keystone oil pipeline in South Dakota was due to a fatigue crack that probably resulted from mechanical damage by a metal-tracked vehicle during installation.

Examining Data Quality of Robotic Pipeline Inspection Methods

Examining the ability of robotic pipeline inspection methods to address specific pipeline threats, including surface corrosion, internal and external anomalies, deformations, construction features, and other useful pipeline features and characteristics.

PPSA/PRCI Host ILI Demonstration for Young Pipeline Professionals

The Pigging Products and Services Association (PPSA) and the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) hosted a pull through ILI demonstration for Young Pipeline Professionals at the PRCI’s Technology Development Center (TDC) in Houston.

Using Analytic Imaging Technology to Detect Leaks in Real Time

IntelliView Technologies' Dual Camera Analytic Module, an intelligent imaging and alerting system which combines the capabilities of advanced visualizing sensors and artificial intelligence, is helping Enbridge better detect pipeline leaks in real time.

Enbridge: Line 5 Dented Nearly an Inch

Enbridge officials have informed Michigan regulators that the company's Line 5 was dented nearly an inch by a suspected tugboat anchor strike last month.

Enbridge Fined for Missing Pipe Inspection Deadlines

The U.S. government has fined Enbridge more than $1.8 million after accusing the Canadian oil transport company of missing deadlines for pipeline inspections following a 2010 oil spill in southwestern Michigan.

PART 2: Entegra Solutions President – Racing and ILI an Odd Companion

In part 2 of an interview with Mark Olson, founder of Integra Solutions, he explains how the inline inspection industry has changed since he first launched the company.

Underwater Vehicle to Inspect Damaged Great Lakes Oil Pipeline

Underwater vehicle to help Enbridge inspect recent Line 5 damage that may have been caused by a ship's anchor.

Part 1: Racing and ILI Make Odd Companions

“Each one of us must make his own path through life. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong road for another … The journey of life is not paved in blacktop; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wil..

SkyX Drone Completes 62-Mile Data-Collection Flight

SkyX Systems drone completes 62-mile aerial pipeline inspection in Mexico.

New Pipelines Pre-Commissioning Inspection

The ROSEN Group successfully performed a pipeline inspection in Australia before commissioning took place.

Red Hen Systems Develops Pipeline Leak Detection System

Red Hen Systems creates new technology that will make identifying leaks during pipeline inspections easier.

Halfwave Awarded Nord Stream 2 Inspection Contract

Halfwave receives inspection contract for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction project.

National Grid Rolls Out Pipeline Innovations

National Grid tests a miniature gas robotic agile pipeline inspection device.

TransCanada to Run Inspection Device in Keystone Pipeline

TransCanada to place a pipeline inspection on the Keystone Pipeline following a Nov. 16 leak.

Battelle Wins Award for PipeAssess PI Software

Battelle receives research and development award for PipeAssess PI, the company's pipeline inspection software.

Pipeline Monitoring Systems to See Good Times Ahead

The global pipeline inspection technology market is on the rise.