Applus+ in Singapore conducts offshore pipeline inspection

This inspection is essential to maintaining uninterrupted oil transportation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating environmental risks. The offshore location presents unique challenges, including subsea conditions and accessibility, making it crucial to deploy advanced inspection technology for accurate data collection safely.

Pipeline Inspection Tool (PIT) technology

Applus+ utilizes its advanced Pipeline Inspection Tool (PIT) for these assessments, ensuring high-precision data collection. The PIT is a tethered crawler that employs ultrasonic measurements to determine the pipeline's condition. It provides detailed and full-coverage measurements of the pipe wall, distinguishing between internal and external corrosion. Additionally, it accurately detects metal loss, mechanical damage or manufacturing defects and deformations such as ovalisation, dents, buckles, erosion, and laminations. The system can also be configured to detect cracks.

The PIT system is equipped with a pinger system. It can be fitted with a gyroscopic system to provide XYZ pipeline mapping alongside ultrasonic or video inspections (if the inspection medium allows for visibility). During the inspection, collected data is transferred to the topside control room for real-time monitoring, with an inspection speed of up to 500 meters per hour. At the end of the pipeline, the tool reverses and returns to the starting point. A preliminary report is generated immediately after the inspection, highlighting key findings, while a final report is prepared at the PIT department headquarters in the Netherlands.

Why PIT technology?

Compared to traditional inspection methods, the PIT system provides several advantages:

• Higher precision: 960 measurements per pipe circumference every 1.0 mm of axial movement.
• Minimal disruption: No liquid pumping, handling, or storage required.
• Operational efficiency: Tethered tool requiring access at only one point for launch and retrieval.
• Real-time monitoring: Instant data transfer to a control room for immediate analysis.

Data interpretation and analysis

All identified defects undergo ASME B31G MAOP calculations, and additional assessments, if required, include:

• Fitness For Service (FFS)
• Corrosion Growth Rate Studies
• Mechanical Damage Evaluation
• Manufacturing Metal Loss Analysis
• Pipe Deformation and Laminations Assessment
• Pipeline Displacement Strain Assessment via XYZ Mapping
   

Applus+ has worked closely with the client to ensure a seamless execution of this inspection. The offshore inspection process involves launching the PIT tool from a barge, with divers assisting in flange opening and tool deployment.

A camera can be mounted on the inspection tool as an additional measure to provide real-time visualization of the internal pipeline surface. This enhancement allows for a more comprehensive assessment, offering high-resolution imagery to identify surface anomalies, corrosion, or further deformations.

Applus+ will provide the client with a comprehensive pipeline integrity analysis after the inspection. The results will support maintenance strategies, help prioritize repairs and ensure the long-term reliability of the infrastructure. By leveraging industry-leading inspection technology and experienced offshore personnel, Applus+ in Singapore continues to play a key role in safeguarding the region's critical oil and gas assets.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist with your next pipeline assessment.