As a part of the Direct Assessment goals the knowledge of the problems allows a better
decision process. In this way, the use of these methodologies for the evaluation of metal
corrosion phenomena increases the possibilities of pipeline integrity analysis; one of these
new techniques is the guided waves application. Certain maritime terminals for oil
distribution in Mexico have been making efforts in order to get more information about the
pipeline integrity of its network, and several cases have been studied with this methodology.
Our group has participated as corrosion evaluation specialist and the experiences have
shown the necessity of extra information about the technique and the involved variables, so
we have improved laboratory exercises to get that kind of data. The evaluation of pipeline
integrity with the guided waves technology has become in a very useful tool for non ILI
susceptible pipelines. The success of this technique is based on the capability of a
continuous surface evaluation. This technique is based in the induction of mechanical
vibration on the pipeline, and the evaluation of the reflections generated by the defects in
both internal and external surfaces. Because the guided waves are mechanical vibrations
propagated through the pipeline, there are many factors involved in its attenuation, such as
the pipeline geometry, coatings, the product inside the pipeline and the physical
characteristics of the soil or the water if the pipeline is buried or submerged.
Keywords: Direct Assessment, Magnetostrictive Guided Waves, Joule effect, Villari effect