HIGH-QUALITY GEOMETRY MODULE DATA FOR PIPELINE STRAIN ANALYSES

• Main Authors: Hendrik Aue, Steffen Paeper, Bryce Brown Rosen, James D. Sutherland
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.616.3547; http://ppsa-online.com/papers/2007-6-Aue.pdf

The as-laid position of pipelines is not always constant, since movement can occur for several reasons. Earthquakes, permafrost thaw or heave, landslides, ship anchors and other third-party influences can move and bend pipelines. Any movement of the pipeline position can lead to regional strain which can in turn impact pipeline integrity. Pipeline bending can have regional or local character. Both defect classes can be detected and analyzed with specific in-line inspection modules. The latest geometry sensors developed by ROSEN can be combined with proven inertial navigation systems. This combination improves sensitivity, repeatability and confidence when detecting pipeline bending strain while also taking into account the influence of strain around ID anomalies. Repeatability is important to establish the reasons for increasing strain values detected at specific pipeline sections through in-line inspection surveys conducted in regular intervals over many years. Moreover, the flexibility resulting from a combination of different sensor technologies not only makes it possible to meet specific operator needs but also provides a more complete picture of the overall situation.