Remote inspection by the magnetic tomography method (MTM) to prevent the risks imposed by exploitation of Arctic offshore pipelines

Abstract

Cold climate areas that provide opportunities for the remote inspection of pipelines include the Barents Sea, the Russian Arctic, the Alaskan Chukchi Sea, the Beaufort Sea and the Canadian Arctic offshore. First, an analysis of several actual projects of contactless diagnostics using the magnetic tomography method of pipelines in Arctic conditions is done. Second, the Risk-Based Inspection methodology for Arctic offshore pipelines is discussed. It involves ensuring pipeline reliability on the basis of data on the technical condition of the metal in actual operating conditions. The magnetic tomography method allows not only to remotely identify areas of anomalies with metal defects, but also to register mechanical stress levels taking into account actual loads. This reduces the risk for the structure to come to the critical state in terms of exceeding local loads. Finally, magnetic tomography technology allows managing risks in cases of local corrosion, stress cracking or loss of stability of underwater pipelines in areas with free spanning. The qualitative indicators of the inspection include the probabilities of identifying, interpreting the degree of danger, missing a dangerous defect. The pipeline diagnostics report provides the parameters of reliability forecasting: the period of incident-free operation, safe working pressure, and pressure coefficient.

Application of Computer Network Virtual Instrument Technology in the Development of a Construction Machinery Remote Detection System

“…The signal acquisition hardware of the test system is composed of acquisition card and sensor. Its function is to convert the analogue signal input by the sensor into the digital signal that can be recognized by the computer, in order to facilitate the subsequent analysis work of the host [16]. The host computer will collect the digital signals transmitted by hardware for display, analysis, storage, simple evaluation and alarm operation.…”

“…The design of network virtualization instrument also follows this principle. Figure 2 shows the structure of networked virtual instrument software, which is mainly composed of system management software, application program, instrument driver software and interface software [18,19]. Figure 2 reveals that the bottom of the system is the system hardware component, which is directly connected with the test equipment to achieve data testing.…”

Propagation Characteristics of Magnetic Tomography Method Detection Signals of Oil and Gas Pipelines Based on Boundary Conditions

“…Nondestructive testing (NDT) methods that are based on the principle of metal magnetic memory [1,2] have been widely used in recent years for the safety inspection of oil and gas pipelines. However, because of the special structure and geographical layout of the pipeline, for example, where pipeline pigs are inaccessible [3,4], it is not easy to implement internal inspection; therefore, external inspection of the pipeline can be performed. Magnetic tomography method (MTM) detection [5], developed by the Russian Transkor-K Center, is an emerging method for non-contact external detection.…”

“…Compared with the traditional internal detection method, the MTM is used to detect buried pipelines without digging the overlying soil. This method is currently used for the online inspection of buried and submarine pipelines [3,5,6].…”