Pipeline Integrity Solutions

   For pipelines without pig launcher / pig receiver, the in-line inspection could be performed as follows Launch valve operation Ball valve is used as launcher and receiver. Insert the In-line inspection (ILI) tool into the valve while the valve is closed and the door can be opened. After the door is closed, the valve is opened and the tool is launched with the flow. The next downstream ball valve has the same functionality and is used as a receiver. At one end of the ball valve a steel mesh is installed to stop the tool.   If only one ball valve is installed, it can be used as a launcher and pumped back into its entry point by reverse flow.

CONSTRUCTING PIPELINES IN SEISMICALLY ACTIVE AND LANDSLIDE AREAS For seismic loads, examination of papers and design guidelines show that for a welded steel pipeline, ground shaking and strain do not cause any substantive harm. Problems for buried pipelines exist either where a fault with a surface expression is crossed or where the ground in which the pipeline is laid loses strength and a land slide or slip leaves the pipe without support or imposes large shear forces when moving. The fault movement can be designed in with long straight lengths of pipe crossing the fault at an angle of 60 degrees and the pipeline trench back-filled with cohessionless backfill (e.g. gravel). Identification of potential land slide areas will need to form part of the route survey in seismically active areas and susceptible areas avoided wherever possible. Pipelines have been built in seismically active areas both as buried and surface run pipelines. In general there is little advantage to h

1.      HAZARD MITIGATION OPTIONS 1.1             Mitigation from Improper Design or Materials Selection If failures, direct examinations, and/or risk assessments identify a high susceptibility to unacceptable design or materials, one or more of the following types of risk mitigation actions shall be initiated In-line inspection of pipeline to determine nature and extent of design and material issues. Pressure test of pipeline to identify weld or material flaws. 1.2             As-Built Flaws Mitigation Design and manufacturing flaws, may be flaws in the fabrication of the steel itself, out of specification material properties, a flaw in the construction process or it may be a problem in the coating or cathodic protection system. The following types of risk mitigation actions should be initiated Fabrication Specifications Construction Specifications Independent Verification Independent Audit Pressure Hydrotest 1.3             Internal Corrosion Mitigation I

Intelligent Pigging is an inspection   method whereby an inspection probe (also known as a smart pig) is propelled through a pipeline.     When the smart pig travels along the pipeline, it gathers information or data such as pipeline's diameter, curvature, bends, temperature, metal loss, general corrosion, erosion corrosion, pitting, anomalies on the pipe internal wall (such as misalignment, ovality, buckles, dents, wrinkles) ,  weld anomalies, hydrogen induced cracking, the presence and location of corrosion, internal diameter changes, and pipeline features such as girth weld, bends and elbows. The advantage of the smart pig over traditional method of pipeline inspection is that,  Smart pig is able to clean and inspect the pipeline whiles it travels through the pipeline.  It allows pipelines to be cleaned and inspected without having to stop the flow of product.  Smarts pig saves companies both time and money, because it provides cleaning and