CMI CORROSION ASSESSMENT

A UNIQUE-WORLDWIDE SERVICE FOR UNPIGGABLE PIPELINES

CHALLENGE

Many older pipelines globally present unique challenges. They are deemed unpiggable due to design complexities such as tight bends, multi-diameter sections, and plug valves, or operational constraints like low/no flow or the inability to interrupt supply. These pipelines often lie in high-impact areas where the stakes for failure are immense. Operators face a critical question: How can unpiggable pipelines be inspected effectively, ensuring safety and compliance without service disruptions?

EXTERNAL CORROSION DIRECT ASSESSMENT (ECDA)

EMPIT integrates Current Magnetometry Inspection (CMI) into External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA), offering an advanced methodology for unpiggable pipelines. Unlike traditional techniques like DCVG and ACVG, which identify coating defects, CMI delivers a comprehensive, actionable understanding of active corrosion states. This integration aligns with the rigorous ANSI/NACE SP052 standards, providing a holistic view of pipeline integrity that was previously unattainable.

LIMITATIONS OF CONVENTIONAL METHODS

Standard DCVG and ACVG techniques can detect coating defects but fail to determine the active corrosion status of those defects. This gap leaves operators uncertain about actual pipeline risks. Furthermore:

Smaller Defects: IR-free potential measurements are inadequate for smaller anomalies.
Limited Clarity: Conventional methods often result in blind spots, leaving critical areas unaddressed.
Technical Limitations: Standard approaches are highly dependent on soil conditions and operator expertise, often failing to meet the precision required by modern compliance standards.

SOLUTION

EMPIT’s Current Magnetometry Inspection (CMI) sets a new benchmark for pipeline integrity assessment. Designed for ferromagnetic pipelines, CMI offers unparalleled precision and adaptability for unpiggable challenges. Key advantages include:

Unmatched Accuracy: Precisely detects active external corrosion, delivering clear, actionable data.
Non-Invasive and Remote: Inspects pipelines from the surface, preserving operational continuity and avoiding costly interruptions.
Comprehensive Insights: Maps buried pipelines with precision, offering a detailed understanding of corrosion and stress states.
Cost-Effective Solutions: Targets specific vulnerabilities, minimizing unnecessary excavations and optimizing resources.

REAL-WORLD SUCCESS

EMPIT’s CMI has assessed over 10,000 km of pipelines worldwide. Ongoing research through government-funded initiatives and joint industry projects, such as PRCI and DVWG, continues to refine and validate the approach. Key outcomes include:

Identified critical corrosion points with >90% accuracy.
Enabled targeted repairs, reducing maintenance costs by 40%.
Prevented potential pipeline failures, safeguarding surrounding communities.

KEY POINTS

Enables the remote and non-invasive inspection of all ferromagnetic pipelines.
Comprehensive solution for unpiggable pipeline challenges using ECDA.
Pinpoint detection of active external corrosion.
Provides clarity and precision where conventional methods falter.

Active corrosion detected with CMI

Replaced pipes

Verification of corrosive spots

ILLUSTRATIVE VISUALIZATION OF ANOMALY DETECTION

CMI allows to differentiate between punctual anomalies and areas with an increased probability of pipeline wall failure. This makes prioritization of anomalies as well as budget planning for needed actions and replacements more efficient.

CMI meets ECDA

CMI and the ECDA Process: A Perfect Alignment for Buried Pipeline Assessment

The External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) process is a structured approach to ensure the integrity of buried pipelines by focusing on external corrosion. The process consists of four key steps: Pre-Assessment, Indirect Inspection, Direct Examination, and Post-Assessment. Here's how CMI seamlessly integrates with each phase:

1. Pre-Assessment
In this initial stage, historical data about the pipeline and its operational environment are gathered. CMI technology, with its advanced electromagnetic survey technique, offers a comprehensive understanding of the pipeline's current condition. By digitally mapping the buried pipelines, CMI can provide a starting point, outlining areas that might be prone to corrosion based on its history and current condition.

2. Indirect Inspection
This step involves tools and techniques to identify areas of concern without directly examining the pipeline. CMI excels here. Operating remotely from the earth's surface, it detects variations in the pipeline's magnetic field. Anomalies in this field, which arise from imperfections like corrosion in the pipeline wall, can be identified without any excavation. This non-invasive approach minimizes costs, preparation time, and operational disruptions, making it superior to traditional methods.

3. Direct Examination
Should any concerns arise from the indirect inspection, the pipeline is then unearthed for direct examination. Although CMI is an above-ground solution, its precision in detecting anomalies ensures that direct examinations are highly targeted. By accurately pinpointing potential corrosion sites, CMI reduces unnecessary digging and ensures only genuinely problematic areas are exposed for closer inspection.

4. Post-Assessment
After the required examinations and any necessary interventions, the final step is to review and document the findings. The insights gained from the CMI technology provide a detailed post-assessment report. By translating electromagnetic data into actionable insights, CMI offers a depth of understanding beyond traditional integrity tools, empowering better future decision-making and predictive maintenance.

Conclusion
CMI and the ECDA process complement each other perfectly. While ECDA offers a structured methodology for corrosion assessment, CMI brings cutting-edge technology that makes the process more efficient, accurate, and less intrusive. Together, they ensure the safety and longevity of buried pipelines, revolutionizing the standards in the pipeline industry.