GE Oil & Gas - PII Pipeline Solutions SPRING 2008

Crack Ranking

A new standard for ILI crack inspection
Our UltraScan™ CD in-line inspection (ILI) technology has logged more than 14 years of successful SCC and seam-weld crack inspections. During that time, pipeline operators have saved tens of millions of dollars by avoiding unnecessary line replacements and costly hydrostatic tests that provide only limited information on the future integrity of the pipeline.

Due to the unique morphology of cracks in steel pipelines, significant post-inspection work is often required in order to prioritize critical flaws by level of severity. This work may involve substantial excavations and NDE evaluations in order to decrease the conservatism built into ILI crack sizing. This process helps to ensure that the most severe cracks are given first priority... read more

EmatScan™ Gen III

 New sensor delivers real defect discrimination improvements
The goal of every in-line inspection (ILI) is to collect sufficient information from a pipeline to allow an operator to better manage the service and maintenance of the line in a cost effective manner. Distinguishing between injurious and non-injurious features is the first key step in assessing the criticality of issues facing the operator... read more

PICA sheds new light on hidden dangers

Post Inspection Crack Assessment (PICA) is a multi-faceted service that reliably and appropriately mitigates confirmed crack threats.

Smarter crack management
Managing the threat of cracks in your pipeline is serious business. Whether validating your pipeline’s susceptibility to cracking, or selecting the most appropriate testing and evaluation methods for known problem areas, we understand the risks and technology trade-offs for every situation... read more

 

 


For more information, please contact Mark.Slaughter@ge.com

UltraScan™ CD Inspection followed by Engineering Crack Assessment

The Moomba-to-Sydney Gas Pipeline, operated by Agility on behalf of its owner, The Australia Pipeline Trust (APA), transports natural gas from central Australia to Sydney on the east coast – more than 1,300 km.

The pipeline was commissioned in 1976, and a failure occurred in 1982 due to SCC cracking. The pipeline’s maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) was down-rated to 6 MPa from a design MAOP of 6.895MPa, and a length of approximately 30 km was replaced. The operating strategy was changed to mitigate the probability of SCC occurring or developing.

In 2004, during excavations following a GE Oil & Gas – PII Pipeline Solutions metal loss survey, further significant SCC colonies were discovered. The MAOP was further down-rated to 5.5 MPa – a significant reduction in throughput for such an important pipeline.

In 2004-05, Agility contracted with PII to perform an UltraScan™ CD survey to investigate the prevalence of SCC in the first section of the pipeline. Following a successful survey, a number of excavations confirmed the tool findings. Defect locations, lengths and depths had all been predicted accurately.

In addition to investigating a significant repair program based on the UltraScan™ CD results, Agility also contracted with PII’s Integrity Services group to perform detailed engineering critical assessments of the crack colonies. Particular attention was given to their immediate significance to the integrity of the pipeline; and to analyzing potential growth mechanisms to predict the number of significant features arising as a function of time. In addition, material testing was carried out on samples of the pipe.

As a result of this work, Agility was able to develop a strategy for the safe future operation of the pipeline with the aim of reinstating the original MAOP while assuring the integrity of the line.

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