Pipe Inspection Tools

This chapter describes several common pipe inspection tools and techniques with examples of the anticipated results. Low-risk pipelines typically require lower financial or operational investment, and medium-risk pipelines warrant additional condition assessment investments. High-risk pipelines have the highest consequence of failure, warranting comprehensive condition assessment investments. Corrosion surveys, closed-circuit television, and sonar are some techniques used for low-risk pipelines. Acoustic pipe wall stiffness assessment, handheld eddy current scanning, and ultrasonic testing are some medium-risk pipeline inspection techniques that could be used alone or in combination with the low-risk-pipeline methods. For high-risk pipelines, testing techniques include electromagnetic inspection and magnetic flux leakage. Pipe wall stress assessment, acoustic pipe wall stiffness, and continuous leak monitoring are some new tools and techniques for assessing pipelines.