Hydrostatic testing has historically been the accepted approach to detecting critical pipeline flaws. While hydrostatic testing is an alternate approach to ensure the reliability of a line, it is not ideal due to the possibility of damage to the asset as well as the interruption in the product flow.

As ILI is the most efficient 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 toolGeneric term signifying any type of instrumented tool or pig., an operatorAn entity or organization responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of a pipeline system. The operator is entrusted with ensuring the safe, rel… published a request for proposal (RFP) to develop and provide a solution that delivered a step-change in 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… inline inspection (ILI)A 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… performance for challenging seam-weldLocalized coalescence of metals produced by heating the materials to the welding temperature, with or without the application of pressure, or by the application… geometries. End-user expectations were defined, allowing vendors to propose a solution they believed would be most likely to deliver on those expectations.

The RFP included a series of aspirational goals for featureGeneral term for an anomaly detected during an assessment. Features can be anomalies, components, nearby metallic objects, welds, appurtenances, or some other i… characterization in a range of seam welds, flawAn imperfection smaller than the maximum allowable size. types and morphologies, operational characteristics, and management of human factors. While accuracy and consistency for characterization of the types and severity of cracking in a pipeline was the primary goal, 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… also expected a new technology to fit within or improve upon the operational envelope of the currently available ILI 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… tools.

• The achieved performance, nearly comparable to an NDERefers to a range of techniques and methods used to assess the integrity, quality, and properties of materials, components, or structures without causing damage… depth toleranceThe accuracy with which an anomaly dimension or characteristic is reported with a specified certainty., is possible due to the direct measurement of the 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… tip depth.

• Depth sizing accuracyThe accuracy with which an anomaly dimension or characteristic is reported., in combination with the delivery of the local wall thickness in the weldLocalized coalescence of metals produced by heating the materials to the welding temperature, with or without the application of pressure, or by the application…, allows 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… to improve the assessment and move towards an effective and efficient 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… management program.

• PROTON’s versatility allows the configuration of multiple ultrasonic techniques (i.e., pulse echoA common ultrasonic testing technique used in non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect and evaluate defects or anomalies such as corrosion, cracks, or metal loss…, pitch & catch) for unparalleled detection, identification, and sizing depending on the inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… application.

• Optimized measurement scenarios for a variety of threats can be programmed – including axial 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… resolution and the refracting angle of each single shot. This provides the most accurate results as the inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… system is tailored to the unique conditions of each pipeline.

• PROTON’s accuracy and versatility was configured for this specific application, which was a key piece in the removal of the hydrostatic testing.