Pipelines are a safe, efficient method for conveying high value commodities, such as oil and gas. However, they are vulnerable to factors such as corrosion and deposits, which can reduce flow rates and cause expensive failures. Currently, to ensure pipeline integrity, cleaning pigs are used to remove deposits, and then intelligent in-line inspection (ILI) pigs are used to detect defects. Conventional ILI inspections cannot be performed frequently, as they are costly and disruptive. This means that pipelines can become susceptible to failure during the long period between inspections. Our smart pigging solutions enable your pipeline to be monitored for defect growth on a regular basis, minimizing costs and reducing risks to your operation.
Challenges of Pipeline Maintenance
Pipeline failure can negatively impact production, harm the environment and endanger lives. The high cost of failure means that operators are more dependent than ever on pipeline inspections. However, it is often difficult to use conventional ILI inspection methods, for example, when large sections of pipeline have complex geometries that are situated in hard to reach environments. As conventional inspections can be disruptive, pipelines often go without inspections for years at a time, increasing the risk of failure.
Why choose smart pigging solutions from SGS?
Our smart pigging solutions overcome the drawbacks of conventional pipeline pigging by combining some of the functions of the ILI pig with the simplicity of the cleaning pig. Our smart pig incorporates an array of electromagnetic, contactless sensors within a flexible polyurethane or foam body. During operations, the internal sensor arrays scan the pipeline for internal corrosion and cracking and will accurately profile pressure, temperature and velocity along the length of the pipeline. The smart pig can negotiate complex geometry pipelines with ease and inspect historically ‘unpiggable’ pipelines.
Benefits for Your Operations
By enabling data to be collected frequently and at a low cost, our smart pigging solutions allow you to plan maintenance during standard operations, minimizing the risk of leaks and failures between traditional ILI runs. The smart pig is simple to operate – it runs like a cleaning pig and can be deployed by local, non-specialist technicians. It can be used with all production mediums and complex geometry pipelines. Bespoke tools can be tailor made from standard components to cover specific applications, reducing delivery times and costs.
A Global Leader in Pipeline Integrity Services
As the world leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, we have extensive experience with pipeline inspections and understand how to meet the unique needs of your operation.
Contact us today for more information.
