Pipeline corrosion detection encompasses all methods and technologies used to identify, locate, and assess material degradation in pipelines.

Pipeline corrosion detection encompasses all methods and technologies used to identify, locate, and assess material degradation in pipelines caused by electrochemical reactions with the surrounding environment. Effective corrosion detection is the foundation of pipeline integrity management — preventing leaks, ruptures, and environmental incidents.

Common corrosion detection methods include:
• Visual inspection — identifying surface discoloration, pitting, or rust.
• Ultrasonic testing (UT) — measuring remaining wall thickness.
• Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) — detecting metal loss via magnetic field anomalies.
• Radiographic testing (RT) — imaging internal pipe structure with X-rays.
• Current Magnetometry Inspection (CMI) — EMPIT’s patented aboveground technology that detects and classifies corrosion from the surface.

What sets CMI apart is its ability to distinguish between active and passivated corrosion — enabling operators to prioritize truly critical defects. CMI delivers high-resolution corrosion data for buried pipelines without excavation, shutdowns, or internal tools, making it the leading solution for unpiggable pipeline corrosion detection.