Digitalization is the use of digital technologies and digitally-enabled approaches to enable or improve business models and processes. The use of remote tablets to capture inspection data in real-time and the use of streaming video are key examples of digitalization. The addition of sensors to monitor the health of an asset is a component of enabling a digital twin concept, which is enabled with historical, real-time and forecast data. This document presents current use cases on the use of digital twin platforms to visualize assets and provide context for operational data. The use of hyperspectral sensors to help enhance the digital twin environment adds lifecycle features that enable more efficient condition monitoring. An overview of the BIM (Building Information Modeling) service supporting the digital lifecycle of 3-D/2-D model integrations will be discussed. This will also include the use of AR/VR devices including Microsoft’s Hololens and the delivery of ‘model load packages’, which allows the user to view the various models required to integrate with Hololen’s features. The combined use of augmented inspection reporting and corrective maintenance instructions allows for a streamlined inspection approach through the use of in situ sensors and mobile inspection campaigns.

During the construction of a 56km long 16 in. carbon steel sour gas pipeline, repetitive surface
preparation failures were detected during visual inspection of pipeline girth weld internal surface prior to
coating application. Such failures represented 67% of the total pipeline girth welds and were manifested
by excessive sharp-edges at the root pass. To identify the failure causes, an investigation was
performed through reviewing the pipeline, fabrication and coating application specifications and
procedures, quality control records and performing an extensive visual inspection through an advanced
video robotic crawler on all pipeline girth welds made. Upon investigation analysis, the failures were
caused by sharp-edges in the root pass which were attributed to improper practices during
manufacturing, field fabrication and pre-coating quality control. The failure analysis indicated that the
mechanized Gas Metal Arc Welding process, with the parameters used, was not suitable for internal
girth weld coating application. In addition, a more stringent requirement should be applied to the
acceptable pipe-end diameter tolerance and pre-coating quality control to ensure absence of similar
premature surface preparation failures. The pre-coating quality control can be improved through
utilization of robotic laser contour mapping crawler for precise detection and sizing of unsatisfactory
surface weldment defects, including sharp edges.

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