Case Study: Complex inspections of an oxygen pipeline system using Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) during shutdown periods
Proceedings Publication Date
Presenter
Jochen Ahlers
Presenter
Company
Author
Jochen Ahlers, Rafael Siebert
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Abstract

In 2018, one of PPS’ customers carried out a pilot in-line inspection (ILI) project of 8” and 12” oxygen pipeline sections within a 21-day shutdown period. The scope was metal loss inspection, specifically for pinhole defects, along with geometry and mapping. The network had never been previously inspected with ILI tools and the material used to drive the pigs for the inspection had to comply and be listed with the regulations of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) Berlin, Following BAM’s approval, nitrogen was provided by Baker Hughes as the propelling medium.

Baker Hughes mobilized an experienced senior data analyst to site to immediately inform the customer of any potentially significant features that could affect reinstatement of the pipeline following the shutdown period. Clear advice on the location of these features and assistance with their verification was provided by Baker Hughes, with excellent correlation between the reported features and the verified results.

Since that time, several further ILI projects in nitrogen have been carried out on this oxygen pipeline system. In 2019 and 2020, these were projects of a similar size to 2018, and in 2020/2021, the process was streamlined, leading to a larger, more complex programme in 2022 with multiple stakeholders, incorporating all the experience of previous years. This paper will share the lessons learned by Baker Hughes and the customer, and demonstrate that even under the most difficult conditions, through proper communication, coordination and detailed project planning and pre-engineering, projects with so many stakeholders can be successfully executed.

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