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Pigging System Presentation

The document discusses pipeline pigging systems used to inspect pipelines for integrity and safety issues. Intelligent pigs, or smart pigs, are devices inserted into pipelines to assess metal loss, corrosion, or other defects without disrupting pipeline operations. Smart pigs use magnetic or ultrasonic testing to detect issues like dents, corrosion, or cracks. The document outlines the types of pigs and inspections performed, specifications for intelligent pig runs, and requirements for personnel and reporting of inspection results.

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ashrafhitler
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404 views

Pigging System Presentation

The document discusses pipeline pigging systems used to inspect pipelines for integrity and safety issues. Intelligent pigs, or smart pigs, are devices inserted into pipelines to assess metal loss, corrosion, or other defects without disrupting pipeline operations. Smart pigs use magnetic or ultrasonic testing to detect issues like dents, corrosion, or cracks. The document outlines the types of pigs and inspections performed, specifications for intelligent pig runs, and requirements for personnel and reporting of inspection results.

Uploaded by

ashrafhitler
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pigging System presentation

The complexity of mandatory pipeline inspections, coupled with


increased governmental regulations has led to the need for advanced
inline inspection services. Pipeline operators need access to data that can
assess signs of metal loss, internal or external corrosion and other physical
defects in order to effectively mitigate risk and ensure safety. Therefore,
pipeline inspectors utilize tools known as intelligent pigs (or smart pigs) to
assess the integrity of assets in a quick and non-intrusive manner
Pipeline pigs are devices that are inserted into and travel throughout
the length of a pipeline driven by the product flow. They were originally
developed to remove deposits which could obstruct or retard flow through
a pipeline .Today pigs are used during all phases in the life of a pipeline for
many different reasons.
"Smart pigs" are used to inspect pipelines for the purpose of
preventing leaks that can be explosive and dangerous to the environment.
They usually do not interrupt production, though some product can be lost
when the pig is extracted.
1- Classification of pipeline pigs
a. Utility Pigs :
Pigs are used in lube oil or paint blending to clean the pipes to avoid
cross-contamination, and to empty the pipes into the product tanks (or
sometimes to send a component back to its tank). Usually pigging is done
at the beginning and at the end of each batch, but sometimes it is done in
the midst of a batch, such as when producing a premix that will be used as
an intermediate component.

Fig 1. Cleaning pig in a pipeline


b. In Line Inspection (ILI) Pigs :
Smart pigs are intelligent pipeline inline inspection tools that
examine the structural integrity of pipeline systems. An intelligent
pig is a cylindrical device that is placed inside a pipeline to gather
information on the quality of pipe. While the tool travels through the
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pipeline, technicians track the location of the pig using locators and
catalogue important data on the condition of the pipe. The results of
the intelligent pigs findings help you determine anomalies and
target areas that likely need to undergo further examination, repair
or replacement.
ILI smart pigs, also called tools by pipeline operators, are
grouped into three main categories according to the potential
problem they are designed to find:
- Dents - Dent smart pigs, also called deformation or geometry tools,
use flexible calipers to measure a pipes shape. Dent tools will
also find buckles, wrinkles or other types of bending strain that
may indicate pressure on or movement of the pipe
- Corrosion Corrosion smart pigs primarily use magnetic fields
that detect metal loss in pipe, which can indicate general
corrosion, pitting, pinholes or wall thinning from erosion (internal
wearing away of the pipe). Technical names for corrosion tool types
include MFL (magnetic flux leakage) and TFI (transverse field
inspection) tools.
- Crack Crack tools use ultrasonic waves, or specialized
magnetic or analytical approaches, to find potential cracks in the
pipe wall, connecting welds or associated with dents. Technical
names for crack tools include UT (ultrasonic testing) and TFI
(transverse field inspection) tools.

Fig 2. Smart Pig Principal Components


2- Type of detected anomalies :
Pipeline inline inspections locate:
- Linear position of anomalies
- External and Internal metal loss anomalies
- Dents and their size, length and depth
- Wall thickness changes
- Length, width and burst pressure of metal loss anomalies

Fig 3. Pipeline anomalies


3- Specifications and requirements for intelligent pig inspection
of pipelines
a. Primary Contracting Considerations and scope of work
Contracting for ILI work is a significant effort. The roles of the vendor
and owner/operator should be defined for all aspects of the work from
implementation to delivery of the final report. The various stages of
reporting and payment schedules associated with milestones should be
established. Factors such as the implications of reruns, scheduling
changes, and service interruptions should be addressed.
The scope of work is defined well in advance of any pricing discussions,
contracting, or both. The scope of work should address all aspects of field
operations including:
- Project specifications for data analysis;
- Roles and responsibilities, e.g., transporting, loading, cleaning, and
tracking of tools;
- Related manpower;
- Any quality assurance issues, methods of ensuring quality, or both;

Specific deliverables regarding corrosion sizing, shape, probability


of detection, confidence limits, etc.;
Impact of deliverables on data analysis for the specific line and
resulting calculations
Reporting requirements for anomalies meeting certain criteria
b. Personnel qualification

The personnel operating the ILI systems and the personnel handling,
analyzing and reporting the inspection results shall be qualified and
certified according to ANSI/ASNT-ILI-PQ-2005 (or later version/superseding
document). Unless the Client specifies otherwise, key personnel shall meet
the following minimum qualifications (ref. ANSI/ASNT-ILI-PQ-2005):
- Team leader during ILI field activities: Level II Tool Operator for the
applicable technology.
- Data analysis and reporting: Level II Data Analyst for the
applicable technology.
- Review of final Client report: Level III Data Analyst for the
applicable technology. The review should include (but not limited
to) e.g. a quality check of data analysis and reported results.
A list of personnel that will be deployed for the ILI tool run, data
analysis and final report review shall be submitted to the Client.
c. Report and documentation
The typical contents of the final inspection are given and the
maximum time frame for the availability of the final inspection report is
stated to be 8 weeks after the ILI run. This time frame is regarded a typical
and acceptable period, but a different time frame and different report
contents can be agreed between parties.
The final inspection report (hard & electronic copy) of either a single
or combined ILI tool run shall contain the following information and be
available within 8 weeks of the ILI run unless agreed otherwise:
Field report: The field report shall contain a statement of the
Contractor on the quality and findings of all preparatory activities, tool
runs and inspection run.
Tool operational data: The tool operational data statement shall
indicate whether the tool has functioned according to specifications and
shall detail all locations of data loss and where the measurement
specifications are not met
Tool calibration
Pipe tally: The pipe tally shall be a listing of all pipeline component
features and anomaly features and be reported in accordance (including
terminology) with the report structure.
List of anomalies: All anomalies with dimensions above the
reporting threshold at 90% POD or above a reporting threshold as
specified by the Client shall be reported in the List of anomalies
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List of clusters: The individual anomalies that form clusters (see


Chapter 2.3) shall be reported in the list of clusters
Summary and statistical data
Fully assessed feature sheets
Anomaly ranking method for Estimated Repair Factor ERF
Detection of Above Ground Marker AGM
Example of Pipe Tally:

Example of list of anomalies:

Example of list of clusters:

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