Rethink Your Data Management

In a Nutshell:

ROSEN is constantly working to deliver integrity services with additional value that enhance the operator experience while bringing practical, applicable solutions to Integrity Management. NIMA is ROSEN’s cloud-based solution for Integrity Engineers to make informed decisions with integrated datasets. This article shows an example and explains how overlaying pipeline information with Data Quality Assessments (DQA) can reduce the number of unnecessary re-runs. It also gives details about the newly implemented processes within the platform.

Commitment and innovation are two of ROSEN’s core values, and our Integrity Solutions (INS) experts continue to embody them, especially when it comes to assisting our clients’ understanding of how data quality can influence integrity assessments.

Historically, EMAT-C (circumferential Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer) Data Quality Reports (DQR) were delivered to clients in a written format, documenting high-level inspection details, such as launcher and receiver information, data coverage, tool velocity and more. While this document did provide a concise summary, clients encountered issues in identifying locations of degraded data and overspeed, and in how the overall data quality would impact integrity decisions.

DELIVERING DATA IN TABULAR FORMAT

To gain an understanding of the inspection quality, the EMAT evaluation team began providing Data Quality Assessments (segment-wise – SWDQA, or joint-wise – JWDQA) in a tabular format. The SWDQA or JWDQA is delivered in an Excel format, which allows the data coverage and pertinent tool performance specification to be correlated and quantified on each segment or joint, respectively. The benefits of the tabular report and segmented information include the ability to identify locations where probability of detection (POD) and sizing may be impacted. Figure 1 shows an example of some provided information in a sample SWDQA.

INFORMED DECISION-MAKING

When degraded data is observed, several aspects of the inspection can be reviewed to aid the decision-making regarding the acceptance of the inspection. Some of the questions that our integrity experts may discuss with clients include:

• Are the locations of degraded data in areas susceptible to cracking (e.g. stress corrosion cracking)?
• If there is sensor lift-off, what may be causing it?
• Are there clear patterns in the data coverage that indicate debris being dragged through the line segment?
• Is overspeed being caused by changes in wall thickness/installation areas or by failure to control the pressure during the run?
• Does decreased coverage coincide with repaired sections of pipe that may not be susceptible to cracking (e.g. newly installed areas coated with fusion bonded epoxy)?
• Do all high-consequence areas (HCA) have acceptable coverage?

Answering these questions, as well as understanding other integrity concerns, often facilitates the decision-making process during the DQA acceptance stage. For that reason, data integration is extremely important. Pipe details need to be readily available and integrated with the DQA.

AUTOMATION IS KEY

We developed automated methods to reduce the effort and labor requirements during the data integration process. The SWDQA and pipe book information is a prime example. Pertinent information about the pipeline and details of the run can be easily integrated and visualized using the NIMA platform. NIMA is an intuitive and reliable software that aids integrity engineers and operators in making integrity decisions. All line-specific information can be loaded onto a project file, and the synchronized data can be displayed simultaneously, facilitating answers to many of the aforementioned questions.

An example of the DQA deliverable from NIMA is shown in Figure 2. The top of Figure 2 shows the pipe book information along the log distance of the line segment as received from the client’s pipe book. At any specific log distance, the user is able to zoom in and identify all of the corresponding pipe properties. The second and third charts on the lower part of the image represent information from the SWDQA. In this case, tool velocity and coverage are provided at increments of approximately every 39 feet (12 meters) of the line, in addition to other relevant data quality information.

ALLEVIATING ALL CONCERNS

As an example, at a log distance of approximately 30,000 ft, the EMAT tool experienced overspeed and decreased coverage. When zooming into that location and identifying the pipe properties, this area is coated with Fusion-Bonded Epoxy (FBE). In this specific instance, the client was investigating stress corrosion cracking, which generally does not occur in areas with FBE. Being able to overlay this type of information at the DQA stage can help clients alleviate concerns about decreased coverage in certain areas, and, consequently, reduce the number of unnecessary re-runs. This is one example of how the provided data (pipe books) can be used to facilitate approval of an EMAT survey. NIMA is so versatile that other datasets (e.g. previous ILIs, field verifications, repair areas, etc.) can be easily integrated to further enhance the Integrity Management Plan (IMP).

NIMA – SUPPORTING YOUR ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

A holistic approach to integrity requires a reliable system of record and adaptable Asset Integrity Management (AIM) processes. We believe that what operators need is an accurate reflection of their individual integrity management process in a digital solution – an Asset Integrity Software Platform. NIMA is an intuitive and reliable framework comprised of a guide, a set of tools and resources; as such, it delivers the data you need – in the way you need it – to make better integrity management decisions. Among the resources are a platform, personnel and training elements that are custom-assembled based on what you already have and the gaps you need to fill – your needs. Find out more at https://nima.rosen-group.com.

Authors