Articles

Third-party interference, particularly construction-related damages, is a critical risk for gas pipeline infrastructure. To address these risks, CSE PreFerenceE, a specialized module within the Pipeline Integrity Management System (PIMS), provides high-precision GIS-based threat analysis and recommends mitigation strategies. Using machine learning…

Pipelines known as culverts cross water bodies and other infrastructures such as roads. They pose a particular challenge for risk management. Especially when verifying the position and depth of cover (DoC) of pipelines crossing water bodies, conventional inspection methods reach their limits. The innovative inspection technology developed by EMPIT…

Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions, especially in technically oriented industries such as the pipeline industry. Structural barriers, unconscious biases, and limited networking opportunities hinder their advancement. A promising approach to promoting women's careers is mentoring by male leaders, as they can integrate…

Pipelines are crucial to daily life, requiring ongoing monitoring and protection. Vibroacoustic Technology (VT) offers reliable pipeline monitoring by detecting various phenomena through vibroacoustic waves. However, even the best field solutions and software lose effectiveness without a user-friendly interface.Timely detection and localization of…

Subsea pipelines such as in-field flowlines, trunklines, test lines etc. are an integral part of all offshore field developments. This paper covers innovative solutions for carbon footprint reduction from different phases of subsea pipeline life cycle i.e. design, construction and operation. Low carbon field developments are vital and heart of…

Pipeline operators rely on ILI and NDE to ensure system integrity, but these methods face challenges when detecting and sizing off-axis cracking.What if NDE suggests a systematic bias in ILI results? Can this data still support Integrity Management Programs (IMP)?In a Phase 1 case study, NDT Global and Phillips 66 developed a systematic method to…

Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) technology has been widely used for pipeline inspection due to its reliability in detecting metal loss. However, unidirectional axial (MFL-A) and circumferential (MFL-C) tools have inherent limitations in detecting and sizing complex corrosion anomalies. These limitations often result in conservative reporting,…

In contrast to traditional oil industries, the oil sands sector experiences severe wear-related problems due to the inherently abrasive and corrosive nature of the mined oil sands. This wear affects the mining and extraction processes, causing rapid pipe wall loss in carbon steel slurry pipelines over a relatively short period. To extend service…

As part of the Insights series in the Pipeline Technology Journal this article addresses readers new to our industry and possibly not so familiar with the exciting world of in-line inspection (ILI) yet. But hopefully it will also be of interest for the more experienced colleagues by sharing some “insights” and possibly broader perspective or…

Europe is still heavily relying on natural gas supplies via pipelines and keeps diversifying its supplies trying to free itself of Russian deliveries. This is a critical concern for Europeans since 2022 when the flow of gas through the Nord Stream pipelines was halted. Another promising project was in place to provide the same volumes, but as a…

Following the shockwaves to European energy security in 2022 and the subsequent shutdown of gas delivery from Russia, the German government took strong action in securing alternative natural gas resources.An urgent requirement to replace the lost capacity resulted in the OAL project in the Baltic Sea – a 48” pipeline linking a new-build LNG…

Efficient hydrocarbon transportation depends on extensive pipeline networks requiring regular inspections for safety and efficiency. Deadlegs, parts of the system prone to corrosion, pose significant challenges. Traditional manual ultrasonic testing lacks the accuracy needed for effective corrosion assessment. Permanently installed ultrasonic…

The requirements for pipeline construction and corrosion protection are becoming increasingly demanding. For modern construction with sustainable protection, selecting the right materials is both crucial and challenging. Although compliance with product-specific regulations is often seen as a guarantee for the universal suitability of products, it…

The hydrocarbon transportation and distribution industry benefits greatly from in-service welding by reducing operational disruption costs. In-service welding is used to repair internal and external defects, such as leaks, using weld deposition or sleeves (Type A or B) and hot tapping operations. If in-service welding is not possible, then…

Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRAs) are a vital tool for managing risks on the onshore gas network. They provide objective, data-driven evaluations of potential hazards, allowing operators to prioritise high-risk areas and allocate resources effectively. QRAs support regulatory compliance, inform decision-making, and help assess the impact of…

Subsea pipelines, such as in-field flowlines, trunklines, etc., are an integral part of all offshore field developments. Pipeline damage can occur either during construction phase or during the life of field. Critical pipeline damage such as leak, rupture, or crack requires repair to be performed on an emergency basis. Repair readiness is being…

Prediction of external corrosion using data from in-line inspections (ILI) can be instrumental in making proactive pipeline integrity management decisions, especially when integrated with geospatial data. This work investigates how a relationship may be established between the presence of bending-strain areas and the initiation and or progression…

As vacation season ends and we leave behind blue waters, cold mountain air, and colorful foreign dishes, we also return to a new kind of awareness: sensing with artificial intelligence, detecting cyber threats, and anticipating maintenance.Digitalization in the pipeline sector enhances asset management and operations. Real-time data analytics and…

Along with extending the life cycle of products, the oil and gas sector has recently implemented the circular economy. Its goals are to increase longevity, manage waste more effectively, and provide an optimal design that makes it simpler to repair, reuse, or remanufacture outdated products. In order to decrease waste and increase the lifespan of…

Hydrogen, a vital energy vector, is widely accepted as essential for decarbonising the global energy system. Hydrogen has a variety of roles to play in a low-carbon economy. Hydrogen can replace fossil fuels as a zero-carbon feedstock in chemical and fuel production [2]. It can also be used to extend the scope of climate transition to sectors that…

The distribution of natural gas through Istanbul's pipelines requires the control of temperature, pressure, draft, consumption, and composition to securely reach 16 million people. The digitalization journey begins at the gas takeover points and extends to the combi boilers of residents. SCADA is integrated into all regional and central metering…

The rapid growth in digitalization and automation results in industrial plants increasingly interconnected through IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) networks. While this interconnectedness offers significant operational advantages, it also makes plants vulnerable to cyber-physical attacks. Such attacks can lead to major…

Leak detection systems are a crucial part in pipeline safety. Unfortunately, general knowledge about these systems is still limited. Due to advantages and limitations of single leak detection technologies the selection process can be difficult – especially when regulation and different operating scenarios have to be considered. Single methods…

This paper presents a pipeline monitoring system designed to detect, locate, and classify leakages and Third-Party Interference (TPI) incidents along a pipeline right-of-way using Vibroacoustic Technology. The system is ideal for retrofitting existing pipelines and focuses on real-time asset monitoring to detect activities such as excavation or…

In Professor Hopkins’ previous ptj Insights, the focus was on pipeline defects. In this ptj Insights, we will focus on anomalies. The word “anomaly” applies here since we will look at inspection devices that infer as-yet unconfirmed defects. An “anomaly” deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. The word “defect” is only used when…