EMAT As a Basis for a Comprehensive System Wide Crack Management Program

Abstract

The integrity of aging assets like gas pipelines are managed by a variety of inspection and validation methods. In the particular case of gas pipelines and their susceptibility to cracking, an ultrasonic inspection methodology has been introduced over the last decade, which is based on an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT). Meanwhile, a high resolution implementation of the technology has been utilized on in-line inspection (ILI) tools from 10″ to 48″ in diameter. Williams Gas Pipelines have utilized this inspection technology successfully on several pipelines, therefore an overview will be given about this experience. Secondly a case study will be presented, in which a post hydrostatic test ILI service was used to gain additional relevant safety and integrity information from the ILI inspection and to better understand the actual capabilities of a hydrostatic test. The approach taken is in accordance with API 1163 and in consideration of API 1176. As part of this approach the performance of the ILI tool was confirmed based on a set of full scale tests conducted at the PRCI ILI test facility. The results were used to increase the statistical confidence in the capabilities of the technology.