Session: 03-62 Pipeline Technology Integrity

Submission Number: 185380

Optimization of Large Area Pipeline Corrosion Monitoring Systems 

Crude oil asset owners face numerous challenges in addressing all the various corrosion threats that exist within aging and complex piping systems.  Regulatory agencies are taking greater interest in evaluating the effectiveness of corrosion control and asset integrity programs applicable to facility piping.  Most prescriptive integrity management programs rely on regimented inspections that, in many cases, require excavation or other access difficulties that carry elevated safety risk.  There is also a significant cost associated with re-accessing the same inspection locations where non-corrosive conditions remain stable and unchanged.  The technology is now available to take asset integrity beyond costly repeat inspections. 

Autonomous large area corrosion monitoring systems are deployed to give the asset owner continuous insight into the health of their pipelines and facility piping.  This places the asset owner in the position of being proactive rather than reactive to corrosive conditions as they occur.  Process changes can be implemented to reduce corrosion rates, or decisions to safely increase throughput can be made.  The effectiveness of mitigative measures such as pigging and chemical treatment can be evaluated and adjusted essentially in real-time.  The key considerations are minimization of risk, maximization of profitability through optimized asset operation, and enhanced regulatory compliance through advanced knowledge of system performance and integrity.

Large area corrosion monitoring utilizes the propagation and reflection of guided waves so that full volumetric coverage of the pipe under test is achieved.  The system can be “tuned” to more effectively detect and monitor the specific corrosion mechanism affecting the pipe (i.e. MIC), if known.  Sophisticated algorithms compensate for variation in environmental conditions that adversely affect detection sensitivity.  Guided wave pre-screening combined with historical corrosion inspection data has proven most effective in optimizing area monitoring performance.  This paper will discuss results and lessons learned from an in-service crude oil piping application utilizing 5^th Generation guided wave screening and permanent area monitoring systems.

Presenting Author: Jeff Lattea, Superior Integrity Services

Presenting Author Biography: Jeff has been in the NDT industry since 2012. He has ASNT Level IIIs in UT, MT, and PT, CSWIP GWT Level II, GUL Level I, and is experienced in a wide variety of NDT Methods. He specializes in Oil & Gas for new construction and in-service inspections both on and offshore. He is passionate about NDT and involved in frequent social media interactions regarding inspection techniques, code requirements, and other relevant topics. Jeff is enthusiastic about contributing to the advancement and evolution of regulating bodies to help adjust the industry to the ever-changing technological innovations that come with each passing year.

Authors:

Jeff Lattea Superior Integrity Services
Rhett O'briant Guided Ultrasonics Limited