Pipeline Girth Weld Inspection

Current Status
• Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) is now recognized as the
preferred inspection method for new pipelines.
• AUT system performance is generally very good although
there is uncertainty as to the actual performance (POD &
Sizing Errors) of AUT.
• Phased Array AUT Technology has been introduced in the
last few years for pipeline inspection and appears to offer
improved performance.
• There is a need to determine the limits of AUT and Phased
Array AUT (particularly for larger wall thickness pipes) to
verify fitness-for-service design methods and ECAs
 Pipeline Girth Weld Inspection - R&D Priorities

Near Term
• Compare performance of AUT and Phased Array AUT NDE for
pipeline girth weld inspection:
– Probability of Detection
– Sizing Errors
Medium Term
• Assess Performance of AUT and Phased Array AUT for heavy
wall high pressure pipelines.
Long Term
• Extend and improve Phased Array AUT Technology
 Pipeline Design
Current Status
• The majority of pipeline design codes are based on stress based
design methods.
• Although conventional stress based design covers most pipeline
applications, it does not cover the design of pipelines that may
experience high strains in service.
• High strains can occur in service due to ground movement, bending
over an unsupported span and seismic loading. In such cases
pipelines should be designed based on strain capacity.
• Girth welds can be source of strain localization and can be a limiting
factor in strain based design.
 Pipeline Design - R&D Priorities
Near Term
• Develop and validate ECA and strain based design
methods for cross country and offshore pipelines.
– Design Guidance (Material Selection, Welding
Recommendations, Full Scale Validation)
– ECA Guidance (Material Property
Characterization, FFS Models)
Medium Term
• Incorporate strain based design methods with overall
pipeline reliability methods.
 Summary
• The cost of pipeline construction can be reduced through the
adoption of next generation technologies.
– High Strength Pipe
– High Productivity Welding
– Advanced Inspection Methods
– Higher Design Factors and Operating Pressures
• Maximum benefit obtained by adopting multiple parallel
technologies simultaneously.
• New Oil and Gas discoveries in remote geographically
demanding regions will require the development of new
improved design methods for pipelines.
Pipeline defects:
1.Tie-ins( Omniscan)
2.Repair Welds ( Omniscan)
3.CRA Clad pipes

Tube Inspection:
1.Pits –localized corrosion (MFL,
2.Cracks (MFL,ECT
3.Wall loss during in service condition. (ECT, IRIS,)

Iris slow compare to ECT

Non magnetized specimen then IRIS

Eddy Current

Magnetic Flux Leakage

Remote Field

IRIS Ultrasound
What is a
- Tie-ins
- Repair Welds
- CRA Clad Pipe
Phased-array instrumentation evolution
1994: Tomoscan FOCUS
- 20kg, requires computer,
- low data transfer

2002: Omnsican PA
– 5 kg, portable, stand-alone,high data transfert
– Battery operated, modular
– 1/3 selling
– Designed based on users comments and expectations
Disability of Conventional UT
Ultrasonics
􀀁 Conventional
ultrasonics were
considered, but
requires the use of
multiple angles
􀀁 Difficult to use, high
risk of errors
􀀁 NWA decided to
pursue ultrasonic
phased-array…
Ultrasonic phased-array
Advantage:
No need to remove
paint and brake lines -HUGE TIME SAVINGS!

Use of sector scan allows

easy coverage of this area
with only one probe.
Notches implemented on
test samples showed clear
detection of notches
PoD
PoD performed with 20 NWA
Level II technicians.
8 samples with 33 notches -
0.020 to 0.100 inch in size
Supervised by Boeing and
AANC
90% confidence detection of
0.060 mils crack
Advantages of phased-array
􀀁 No paint removal (huge time saving)
􀀁 Sector scan imaging
􀀁 Omniscan PA easy to operate
􀀁 The smallest configuration of the Omniscan
PA 16:16 is enough (economic)
Omniscan product line:
The Omniscan Family
• Modular/multitechnology unit
• 1 system 􀀁 all techniques (OMNI)
• 6 different modules commercially available:
􀀁 PA (16:128 phased array) + UT (1 channel)
􀀁 PA 32:128
􀀁 PA 16:16
􀀁 ECA (Eddy current array)
􀀁 ECT (Eddy current technique)
􀀁 UT (2, 4 and 8 channels