51314-4437-Overcoming Inspection Challenges with EMAT Robotic ILI Tools

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Product Number: 51314-4437-SG

ISBN: 4437 2014 CP

Author: Aaron Huber

Publication Date: 2014

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Non Member Price: $20.00

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Diakont’s US-based pipeline services group recently completed multiple inspection jobs for a western-US natural gas pipeline operator. The sections of line required reassessment as part of the operator’s ICDA program. For multiple reasons the lines were deemed unpiggable which necessitated the use of robotic ILI tools rather than flow-driven pigs.A video-crawler inspection conducted by the operator discovered a possible indication of internal corrosion at a low point in the line. A neighboring line had dense internal buildup too extensive to rely upon a visual-only inspection. Due to these preliminary findings the operator made the decision to have Diakont perform a comprehensive in-line inspection using their robotic EMAT tools and to extend the scope of the inspection beyond the original plan.Diakont conducted a high-resolution internal examination of the pipe sections using the tool’s non-contact EMAT probes. The EMAT scan of the indication did confirm some wall loss in one of the pipe sections however it was measured to be at a minimal depth so a drip line was installed and the pipeline was returned to service.By utilizing robotic ILI tools to perform the inspection of the unpiggable lines the pipeline operator was able to complete their reassessment obligation on an expedited timeframe gain valuable previously-unknown data about the pipeline features and validate the integrity of the pipeline.The final paper submitted for the Unpiggable Pipeline Solutions Forum 2013 will also include details and images from the inspection runs described above.