Image Combined Solution for Natural Gas Pipeline
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Pipeline integrity is negatively affected by a multitude of anomalies, flaws, and threats, which may even interact with each other at times.

In 2017, an operator was in need of an inspection of several installations in a natural gas pipeline. Located in a desert, the pipeline system consisted of nine different pipeline sections with 24” diameters and a total length of 990 km. The client suspected the presence of various types of anomalies, including general corrosion and geometry defects.

The Solution

ROSEN provides a variety of well-established inspection technologies to address a multitude of threats. Since the client expected to find a variety of anomalies in the pipeline system, ROSEN provided a combined diagnostic solution. The modular technology design allows for unlimited combinations of our individual services. This modularity is supported by standardized mechanics and electronic interfaces.

The solution was based on a combination of three technologies — MFL-A, XT, and XYZ — in one inline inspection run. The RoCorr MFL-A unit is capable of identifying metal loss defects, such as general corrosion and circumferential anomalies, while the RoGeo XT unit identifies geometric anomalies, and the RoGeo XYZ unit gathers data on pipeline location and bending strain. Furthermore, ROSEN conducted an additional RoCorr MFL-C inspection run to identify axial defects.

Inspection data gathered from the two successful inline inspections using four different technologies was used as input for a combined data analysis. ROSEN integrity engineers were able to gain a clear picture of the various defects present in the pipeline, enabling them in turn to provide the operator with a complete and accurate assessment of the current integrity status of the pipeline system.

Customer Benefit

  • Improved sizing accuracy and probability of identification by combining complementary inspection technologies and aligned data sets
  • Improved characterization of interacting defects
  • Cost-effectiveness and reduction of operational risks by limiting onsite activities, e.g. launching, receiving and tool tracking
  • Reduced impact on pipeline operations