Metal Loss Musings

When it comes to pipeline integrityThe capability of a pipeline to perform its intended function safely and reliably throughout its life. It includes a range of factors, including the structural … management, metal loss is a leading cause of pipeline failureThe inability of a pipeline system to fulfill its intended function or meet the required performance criteria. Pipeline failures can have significant consequenc… which can propagate through several mechanisms during the asset's life. Additionally, metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. can occur during pipeline manufacture and installation, necessitating the need for baseline inspections.

On a day-to-day basis, I have conversations regarding metal loss with operators, and I have noticed a pattern – regardless of the operatorAn entity or organization responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of a pipeline system. The operator is entrusted with ensuring the safe, rel…, there are significant similarities in the challenges faced. Metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. is not something that operators can avoid, but by aligning with the right partner, can successfully blend talent, experience, and technological capabilities to manage it effectively and efficiently.

How can metal loss propagate in a pipeline?

When a pipeline enters service, corrosionThe deterioration or degradation of a pipeline caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment. Corrosion is a significant concern as it ca… can become an issue for both the internal and external surfaces of the pipe wall. Internal corrosion can occur when corrosive substances transported by the pipeline react with the internal pipe wall to cause corrosion/metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. . This can be exacerbated by changes to the medium properties of the substances being transported or by failures of internal and external coatings, as well as cathodic protectionA technique used to protect pipelines from corrosion. It involves applying an electric current to the metal surface to counteract the corrosive reactions and p… deficiencies.

Zero in on the Right Technology

Choosing inline inspectionA method used to assess the the integrity and condition of pipelines. It involves the use of specialized tools that are inserted into the pipeline and propelled… technology is about more than meeting immediate inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… needs; it is about finding a solution that offers accuracy, longevity, flexibility, and compatibility. Selecting the right technology is a critical decision that impacts a pipeline operatorAn entity or organization responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of a pipeline system. The operator is entrusted with ensuring the safe, rel…'s viability, environmental safety, and people's lives.

Traditionally there have been two primary technologies utilized for metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… in pipelines: magnetic flux leakage (MFL)A type of non-destructive evaluation used on inline inspection (ILI) technology in which a magnetic field is induced in the pipe wall to detect, classify, and c… and ultrasonic (UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr…) methodologies. In recent years other technologies such as acoustic resonance technology (ART)An inspection technology that utilizes sound waves or acoustic signals to detect, monitor, and analyze the condition of pipelines. ART involves the application … have emerged to overcome specific threats and pipeline configurations.

MFL utilizes magnets to measure changes in magnetic flux to detectTo sense or obtain a measurable indication from a feature. metal loss in pipelines. This technology is suitable for a wide variety of pipeline mediums – namely gas and liquids. MFLA type of non-destructive evaluation used on inline inspection (ILI) technology in which a magnetic field is induced in the pipe wall to detect, classify, and c… technology has been operating for decades and is available from a variety of different suppliers and in a wide range of sizes and resolutions.

Ultrasonics on the other hand require a liquid medium but offers the benefit of direct measurement which allows for the measurement of complex corrosionThe deterioration or degradation of a pipeline caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment. Corrosion is a significant concern as it ca… features with axial resolutions of up to every 0.75 mm (approx. 0.03 in) and circumferentialAn event that occurs or is measured along the circumference of a pipeline. It implies the direction or orientation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axi… resolutions up to 2.5mm (approx. 0.1 in) – see Figure 1. By utilizing direct measurement technology, UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr… can detectTo sense or obtain a measurable indication from a feature. and measure laminations, and CRA defects and accurately measure corrosion including under pipeline supports. Unlike MFLA type of non-destructive evaluation used on inline inspection (ILI) technology in which a magnetic field is induced in the pipe wall to detect, classify, and c…, UT is not affected by pipeline wall thickness, making it ideal for heavy wall pipelines such as those seen offshore.

NDT Global's ART is a unique ultra-wideband acoustic measurement technology that delivers highly accurate pipeline wall thickness data. Like other ultrasonic technologies, the direct nature of the measurement provides a significant improvement over magnetic MFLA type of non-destructive evaluation used on inline inspection (ILI) technology in which a magnetic field is induced in the pipe wall to detect, classify, and c… inline inspection (ILI) technologies, when compared in some aspects of defect detection, classification, and sizing.

NDT Global specializes in ultrasonic measurement and acoustic resonance for ILI, being the market leader in these technologies. This focused approach allows NDT Global to push the envelope of direct measurement inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… capabilities, to provide the best insights, and ultimately The Power of Clarity™.

Other than metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. , are there any other pipeline features that a UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr… inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… would detectTo sense or obtain a measurable indication from a feature. ?

NDT Global offers a range of additional modalities that can be incorporated into our Ultrasonic metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. fleet, including:

• EVO geometry - detects and measures geometric anomalies i.e., dents, buckles, and roof toppingIncorrect forming of the plate edges into the pipe curvature during fabrication, resulting in meeting of the edges as a triangular apex with the seam weld proje…. Combining a metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. or crackA fracture or discontinuity in the wall of a pipeline, where the material is separated or broken, potentially compromising the integrity and safety of the pipel… assessment with ultrasonic-based geometry measurement enables a comprehensive inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… in a single run. This capability is a standard featureGeneral term for an anomaly detected during an assessment. Features can be anomalies, components, nearby metallic objects, welds, appurtenances, or some other i… of ART and optional with UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr….

• EVO Mapping - for detection of pipeline movement. By leveraging high-end exploration technology and leading-edge software, EVO Mapping can pinpoint installations, welds, and anomalies in gas and liquid pipelines even at the preliminary reporting stage. This capability is a standard featureGeneral term for an anomaly detected during an assessment. Features can be anomalies, components, nearby metallic objects, welds, appurtenances, or some other i… of ART and optional with UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr….

• High-resolution CrackA fracture or discontinuity in the wall of a pipeline, where the material is separated or broken, potentially compromising the integrity and safety of the pipel… inspections - crackA fracture or discontinuity in the wall of a pipeline, where the material is separated or broken, potentially compromising the integrity and safety of the pipel… detection technology provides high-resolution featureGeneral term for an anomaly detected during an assessment. Features can be anomalies, components, nearby metallic objects, welds, appurtenances, or some other i… depth sizing and measurement of complex crack morphologies. Crack inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… is currently performed by our ultrasonic platform and can also be combined with the above-mentioned modalities.

What are some of the key operational aspects that need to be considered as part of an ultrasonic inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re…?

First-run success is one of the primary key performance indicators within NDT Global. The safe and reliable operations of our inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… tools are of critical importance.

The first step in the NDT Global quality journey begins during the tendering phase, where a feasibility review of the pipeline characteristics is performed as a standard step in our quotation processes. Accurate and clear pipeline data is critical at this step to ensure first-run success.

Therefore, considering the operating parameters of the pipelines is important to evaluate when considering a UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr… metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re…. NDT Global operates a vast array of UT metal loss tools adaptable to thousands of different configurations including just some of the following capabilities:

• Diameter ranges from 6” to 56”

• Combination tools (metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. /crackA fracture or discontinuity in the wall of a pipeline, where the material is separated or broken, potentially compromising the integrity and safety of the pipel…/mapping/geometry)

• Multi-diameter

• High-pressure (up to 300 bar)

• Bi-directional (in select diameters)

In addition, our fleet of ART tools provides an even greater range of flexibility with market-leading battery life in a smaller footprint; extensive multi-diameter capabilities and all while being capable of operating in both gas and liquid environments.

What does the future of UTSystems used in non-destructive testing that utilize sound waves to detect, identify, and measure anomalies within a pipeline integrity test or management progr… metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. look like at NDT Global?

NDT Global has been leading the market in ultrasonic metal lossRefers to the reduction in material thickness or cross-sectional area of a pipe due to corrosion, erosion, or other forms of degradation. tools for the past two decades and strives to continue that into the future. By leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence NDT Global looks to improve the data insights of inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… modalities, while simultaneously increasing efficiency. We are also developing innovative technologies, such as UMx & phased array, to further push the metal loss ILI envelope.

As ever, choosing the right inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… technology is pivotal to exceeding industry standards, ensuring safety, and driving economic value. Different scenarios necessitate distinct technologies and demand-specific capabilities, from land-based pipelines that cross vastly different terrains, both above and underground, to undersea pipelines.

Partnering with industry specialists to get the results you need

Contact us, leave a comment, or message me directly to discuss how NDT Global can partner with your company to address the challenges of pipeline integrityThe capability of a pipeline to perform its intended function safely and reliably throughout its life. It includes a range of factors, including the structural … and work alongside you to take advantage of cutting-edge technology — and leverage The Power of Clarity™.