November 2015, Vol. 242, No. 11
Features
Mastering Inspection of Challenging Pipelines
Any inspection device used internally must be introduced into the pipeline to be investigated. This implies that the line is accessible. “Piggable” lines need suitable launchers and receivers and are generally inspected in a unidirectional mode. If tool traps are not available or suitable, access has to be achieved via other means. Accessibility can be achieved through technical and/or procedural means. One solution may be the use of temporary traps, another to use a hot tapping operation. Then again, procedures can be developed to use a given flange or any other access point, for instance a valve, as a point of entry. Tools can also be designed to allow for single access, i.e., entering an
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