Inspection

A Clearer Picture: How Phased Array UT Delivers 3-D Results

Today’s advanced phased array UT instruments and software give technicians the computing power to transform traditional 2-D inspection data into full-color 3-D visualizations

Using Phased Array UT in Lieu of Radiography for Weld Inspections

Since its introduction in the early 2000s, phased array ultrasonic testing (UT) instruments have been embraced by NDT service providers for weld inspections in lieu of RT.

European Personnel Firms Awarded Work on Baltic Pipe Project

Three European oil and gas personnel firms have been awarded contracts to supply workers to assist construction on the EU-backed Baltic Pipe Project.

Enbridge Contractor Vessels May Have Bumped Pipeline Support

Enbridge has reported the findings of its investigation into minor damage of its Line 5 pipeline that occurred last month revealing the possibility that a vessel operated by one of the company's contractors may have been responsible.

Correct Pigs, Procedures for Hydrostatic Testing of New Pipelines

Laying a cross-country pipeline is expensive. Many hours of engineering and planning must meet certain standards and regulations and receive federal government approval before starting construction. It costs approximately $100,000 per diameter-inch-mile to build a pipeline in a reasonable lay area. This number can easily triple in marsh lands, hills, mountains and rocky terrain. In those areas it could cost about $20 million to lay 100 miles (161 km) of 20-inch pipe.

PHMSA Eases Pipeline Regulations, Enforcement in Response to Pandemic

Responding to the impact Covid-19 on midstream staffing and resources, PHMSA has issued two guidance documents to ease some operating requirements, allow discretion in enforcement and provide flexibility to support the critical needs of state and industry partners.

Evolution of Ultrasonic Inline Inspection

Inline inspection (ILI) by means of intelligent pigging has become a standard application to ensure the safe operation of pipelines worldwide. Ultrasonic inspection tools have proven successful for crack and metal loss inspections of liquid pipelines.

Transneft Diascan Inspected Over 55,000 Kilometers of Trunk Pipelines in 2019

Russian owned Transneft Diascan performed inspections of 55,400 kilometers (34,400 miles) of Transneft trunk pipelines in 2019.

Doosan, Skyfire Consulting Partner for Long-Range Pipeline-Inspection Project

Skyfire Consulting, a public safety drone consultancy, has announced a partnership with Doosan Mobility Innovations to launch a long-range pipeline-inspection project with a major U.S. pipeline operator.

Drones on Deck to Make Pipeline Inspections Safer, More Efficient

Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to inspect pipelines is one of the most promising uses of new technologies that our industry has ever seen. Unmanned aerial vehicles, often called drones, can be launched from nearly any location, controlled remotely and programmed to operate autonomously.

Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight Drone Inspects Trans-Alaska Pipeline

Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks recently made history by completing the first true beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight under the small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) rule.

Robotics Applications Making Advances in Norway

In the oil and gas industry, the use of robots, whether fixed or mobile, is not new, as such devices were introduced to a lesser extent in the 1970s. Today, however, we are beginning to see highly advanced applications of such robotics being used.

Improving Data Loss During In-Line Inspections

Although there are other inspection methods, such as direct assessment or hydrostatic testing, ILIs are the most popular worldwide due to number of factors, including practicality, cost-effectiveness and accuracy.

PHMSA Publishes "Mega" Rule After Nearly A Decade of Work

U.S. transportation officials on Tuesday adopted long-delayed measures that are meant to prevent pipeline spills and deadly gas explosions but don't address recommended steps to lessen accidents once they occur.

Iran Checks Cyber Security at Key Energy Sites

Iran has launched an inspection of security at its key Gulf oil and gas facilities, including preparedness for cyber attacks, the Oil Ministry news agency SHANA said, following media reports of Washington weighing possible cyber attacks on Tehran.

Feds Recommend New Requirements After Natural Gas Disaster

Federal officials are recommending stronger nationwide requirements for natural gas systems following last September's natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts.

Digital Alternative to In-Line Inspection

There are two traditional schools of thought for monitoring internal corrosion in pipelines. One advocates the use of theoretical modeling techniques to predict the location, severity and behavior of corrosion; the other favors inline inspection (ILI) as a means to measure corrosion directly.

East Africa’s Leakage Incidents Points to Detection Needs

Barely one year after the commissioning of East and Central Africa’s only refined oil transportation pipeline in Kenya, leakages have been reported, raising concerns about the ability of existing government agencies to monitor the safety of oil infrastructure at a time when similar projects have been unveiled across the region.

Flow Meter Provides Dual Measurements in Single Body

The Transus Instruments UIM-4F Duo natural gas custody transfer ultrasonic flow meter consists of two independent fiscal flow measurements in a single flow meter body, enabling enhanced condition-based diagnostics in a space saving, compact package.

Emerson

Emerson released the Micro Motion 4200 2-wire loop-powered Coriolis transmitter, a new design that makes it possible to replace existing two-wire flow devices with minimal effort and without incurring additional power or cabling costs. The device can accommodate the largest line size (4-inch) of any..

Sercel-GRC

Sercel-GRC (GRC) recently sold the 1000th Spy Pro gauge for downhole ESP systems. Rated for 5,000 and 10,000 psi at 150 degrees C (302 degrees F), the device can record up to 11 parameters, used to monitor the ESP production system. This includes intake and discharge pressures, intake and motor temp..

Looking to Lessen Fluctuating Flow Problems in Measurement

Good measurement practices suggest flow measurements should occur without instabilities or pulsations in the flow. Even minor inaccuracies in the measurement of high value products can lead to significant financial exposure over extended periods of time.

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics When Equipment Fails

The importance of accurate measurement cannot be under-estimated. In 2012, the oil price was above $100 per barrel, but only a year later, as oil prices began to decline, the average price of a barrel of crude oil was $91, dropping to $42 by 2015.

Inspecting Pipelines Using Dual-Conventional Transducers

Today, there are millions of miles of pipeline all over the world, and many of these systems are old. Pipelines transport energy (crude oil, refined petroleum, natural gas and biofuels to name a few) and other fluids to various markets across vast distances. The integrity of the pipelines is of paramount concern to ensure the safety of people and the environment.

Energy Drone & Robotics Summit '19: AI can help build the energy operations of tomorrow

Pipeline & Gas Journal was on hand for the two day Energy Drone & Robotics Summit at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel in The Woodlands, Texas. The summit brings together over 1,000 energy and engineering experts in the drones, robotics and AI industries.

Haydale Delivers Transition Pipe Sealing System to National Grid UK

Haydale produced and delivered eight general transition, piece-sealing systems to National Grid UK and has received interest for an additional 60 over the next six years.  This first commercial order is for transitions across two sites on the U.K. gas trans..

Alliance

Alliance Sensors Group introduced the SS-7 series linear variable inductive transducer (LVIT), designed for subsea environments. The transducer is embedded into a hydraulic cylinder and uses the gun-drilled piston rod as a target, sensing its position without the need for a magnet. The SS-7 Series c..

Subsea Bayesian Networks – Integrity and Risk Assessments

If high levels of safety and environmental protection in the subsea oil and gas sector are to be maintained, then understanding the risks involved is more important than ever. But it has never been more difficult necessary to optimize IMR activities than it is now.

Lawmakers Urge US Agency to Bolster Pipeline Cybersecurity

Two Democratic lawmakers urged the Department of Homeland Security to better protect U.S. oil and gas pipelines from cyber-attacks, after a report they requested detailed a lack of federal oversight of the critical conduits.

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.