Contents

1.

ABBREVIATION & DEFINITIONS ........................................................................... 2

2.

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 2

3.

PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT......................................................................................... 2

4.

PROJECT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................. 2

5.

APPLICABLE CODES, STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ................................ 2

6.

SCOPE OF WORK ......................................................................................................... 2

7.

IN-LINE INSPECTION PROJECT SYSTEM SELECTION: ..................................... 2

7.1 General ............................................................................................................................ 2

7.2 INSPECTION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:.......................................................................... 2
7.3 PHYSICAL AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CONSTRAINTS: ......... 2
7.4 SELECTION OF AN IN-LINE INSPECTION SYSTEM: ..................................................... 3

8 In-Line Inspection tool selection: .............................................................................. 3

8.1 Appropriateness of the Inspection Tool....................................................................... 3

1. ABBREVIATION & DEFINITIONS

2. INTRODUCTION

3. PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT
4. PROJECT OVERVIEW
5. APPLICABLE CODES, STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
6. SCOPE OF WORK
7. IN-LINE INSPECTION PROJECT SYSTEM SELECTION:
7.1 General
When selecting an in line inspection system, the in-line inspection system capabilities
and pipeline characteristics (design and operational specification) must be taken into
account.
The process of selecting an in-line inspection system requires:

Defining the goals, objectives and required accuracies of the inspection;

Considering the physical and operational characteristics and constraints of the

pipeline; and

Selecting an appropriate in-line inspection system based on the requirements of

the inspection and performances capabilities of the in-line inspection system. (Source
API 1163)(see figure A1 Appendix A)
7.2 INSPECTION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
The goals and objectives of an in-line inspection shall be defined. Goals and
objectives shall include, but are not limited to, characteristics of anomalies and
features to be detected, identified, and sized and the required accuracies.
Examples of goals and objectives to be perused:
Metal loss Tools for the Internal and External Corrosion Threat
Crack Detection Tools for the Stress Corrosion Cracking Threat.
Metal loss and Caliper Tools for Third-Party Damage and Mechanical Damage
Threat
7.3 PHYSICAL AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CONSTRAINTS:
The operator shall provide information on physical characteristics and constraints of
the pipeline to the ILI service provider, which is typically done through a pipeline
questionnaire.

Characteristics of the pipeline that shall be provided for assessing the compatibility
of the in-line inspection system with the inspection goals and objectives include:
1. Physical properties of the pipeline section, such as length, diameter, wall
thickness, valves, bends, known physical restrictions, openings, launchers and
receivers, etc.
2. Characteristics of the fluid such as type and composition, chemical properties
(e.g. corrosivity), flow rate, temperature, pressure, and cleanliness of the
pipeline.
For two-way flow, such as in storage operations, upstream and downstream flow
directions should be clearly defined.
The service provider shall define the constraints under which the in-line
inspection tool will operate, such as:
a. Restrictions on temperature, pressure, minimum bend or elbow radii.
b. Minimum spacing of bends or elbows to each other.
c. Maximum and minimum velocities.
d. Minimum and maximum wall thickness.
e. Any known product characteristics that would limit or preclude a successful
inspection.
f.
Tool weight and overall length.
g. Special launching and receiving constraints especially for launching and
receiving facilities.
h. Requirements for check valve positions.
i. Minimum bore requirements and drives cups compression.
j.
Anticipated run length and any concomitant limitations on battery life, data
storage capacity and/or mechanical wears.
7.4 SELECTION OF AN IN-LINE INSPECTION SYSTEM:
Typically, the service provider will recommend an in-line inspection system based on
the operators goals and objectives. Before making a recommendation, the service
provider shall evaluate and make available to the operator:
a.
Expected performance of the in-line inspection system with regard to detection,
identification, sizing, locating, and coverage capabilities for the anomalies of
interest and pipe- line to be inspected.
b. Physical characteristics of the in-line inspection tool, including its size, weight,
and environmental limitations.
c. Reporting requirements.
d. Operational reliability of the tool (history, operational success, etc.).
e. Performance on other types of anomalies other than those of interest.

8 In-Line Inspection tool selection:

8.1 Appropriateness of the Inspection Tool
Representatives from the pipeline operator and the ILI service vendor should analyze
the goal and objectives of the inspection and match relevant facts known about the
pipeline and expected anomalies with the capabilities and performance of an ILI tool.
Detection sensitivity:
The minimum detectable anomaly size specified for the ILI tool must be smaller than
the size of defect anticipated to be detected.

 Classification capability:
The ILI tool should be able to differentiate the targeted defect type from other types
of anomalies.

The sizing accuracy should be sufficient to enable prioritization.

Requirements for defect assessment: Results of ILI must be adequate for the
expected defect assessment algorithm.

Mechanical characteristics of the pipe including but not limited to steel grade,
type of welds, length, internal diameters, elevation profiles and any other
restrictions like bends, valves, and tees should be specified.
Launchers and receivers should be reviewed for suitability due to the variability
in the geometry of the ILI tool.