Can Technology Save Us? R&D efforts to advance inspection technology Bruce Nestleroth Research Leader

Inspection technology – many tools Inside the pipeline –Pigs for corrosion, cracks, mechanical damage Above ground –CIS, DCVG, ACVG, PCM, etc. At the station, road crossings –Long range ultrasonic methods In the ditch –NDT methods UT, MP, PT, phased array General comment: While most pipeline problems are addressed by inspection technology, one technology typically addresses one problem at a time.

General comments on inspection technologies As soon as you think you have technology for all inspection problems, a new problem comes up. New problems usually needs a new inspection technology. Don’t expect a pig to do at inspection speeds of miles per hour, what a person would be challenged to do in the ditch in an hour. Detection of anomalies rarely sufficient. Sizing is almost always needed. Inspection is rarely perfect, but it can be valuable. Technology developers highlight the smallest anomaly they can find. Pipeline owners want to know the largest anomaly that can be missed.

Developing technology Incremental improvements Using technology from other industry –MFL sensor -Automotive technology –Phased Array -Medical imaging Basic Research –Guided wave ultrasonic

How is technology advanced Pipeline industry direct development –Pipeline companies directly develop technology to solve a specific problem Service Provider development of inspection technology –Inspection service providers develop new technology to address a general need Industry group development –Consortium of pipeline companies develop technology Government supported development –Pressing need defined by the regulators or public –Future problems –New approach 50%

Understanding the capability and limitations of technology Benchmarking of research results Field trails in operating pipelines Standards such as API-1163: Pigging No rating organization 24” mechanical damage sample 24” mechanical damage sample 12” natural corrosion sample 12” manufactured corrosion sample 30” SCC sample DOT/NETL Benchmarking at Pipeline Simulation Facility September 2004 & January 2006