Fri, November 17, 2017
The Technology Development Center (TDC) continues to experience a high level of activity in the third quarter. Ongoing research at the TDC consists of both PRCI-funded R&D projects and member-funded work through joint industry initiatives or independent work. Ongoing PRCI funded research include the following projects:
Performance Evaluation of ILI Systems for Detecting and Discriminating Metal Loss, Cracks and Gouges in Geometric Anomalies (MD-1-13) Testing has commenced on the two 24-inch pull test strings using the winch. Two inline inspection tools have been pulled, with plans for two more tools to be run in January 2018. The results of this study will provide operators with an improved understanding of ILI systems capabilities to detect and discriminate complex mechanical damage features. This will help direct further research on ILI technologies and facilitate improved assessment methods and algorithms.
Assessment of Non-Destructive Evaluation Tools for Difficult-to-Inspect Pipes in Liquid Applications (NDE-1-7) Testing in the 6-inch test loop is successfully completed, and results are currently under review by the participating technology providers. The loop provided the project with a variety of flow constrictions and piping configuration that mimic “unpiggable” piping. The NDE-3-2 project, Integrity Assessment of Difficult to Inspect Pipelines Evaluating Select Areas Using High Resolution NDE, also utilized the same setup to complete similar testing. This research will help operators manage difficult-to-inspect pipelines by providing quantitative performance evaluation of smart pigging and other NDE tools.
Development of a PRCI ILI Performance Test Loop for Liquid Coupled Technologies (NDE-4-2) The construction and commissioning of the 12-inch liquid test loop is completed. Initial use has been to conduct testing for ERW seam weld assessment (IM-3-1) project by incorporating the ERW pipe samples into the loop design. More testing is scheduled for December 2017. This facility allows for testing the performance of liquid coupled ILI tools to detect and discriminate integrity threats, both in onshore and offshore applications.
Validation of In-Ditch Material Characterization Equipment and Techniques (NDE-4-8) The TDC provided the pipe samples and testing space necessary for contractors to demonstrate and validate the in-situ pipe strength and toughness estimation tools and techniques using standard field metallurgical equipment. The work will continue throughout 2017, and the results will ultimately be presented to regulators as a final step in demonstrating the fitness of the developed technology for use in the field.
PRCI member companies continue to employ the TDC to execute research projects and conduct meetings specific to their interests. Member funded research at the TDC allows for a quick response to industry challenges or operational conditions that are unique to a given operator.
At the pull test facility, PRCI successfully completed repeated inline inspection pull tests on a 42-inch pipe string. This testing achieved the largest diameter inline inspection pulls completed in North America. The project tested 180 feet of featured pipe joints at speeds between 1m/s and 3m/s. The project’s execution (construction, testing and demobilization) spanned only three weeks from the date the pipe was delivered to the TDC to the date the pipe was hauled away.
PRCI also successfully completed multiple liquid inline inspection tests using water in a 20-inch test string. The pipe string was over 350 feet and required the fabrication of custom launching and receiving test headers to accommodate the tool’s size. PRCI contracted with a third-party contractor to provide the pumping capability for testing.
If you are interested in any of the available services at the TDC, please contact us at TDC@prci.org or request a service on our public website.