Underwater Inspection and Imaging Technologies for Pipelines

Pipeline inspections are recommended and may be required by law in many jurisdictions depending on the pipeline type. Areas where the pipelines cross waterways or travel for some distance along the seabed have a higher risk due to the probably of deterioration/damage and the consequences of failure. These important asset locations are often challenging to monitor and manage due to limited access and varying underwater conditions. In order to promote the long-term serviceability of these pipelines, as well as to ensure safety, this paper recommends methods for the efficient and effective underwater inspection of pipelines. Assessment methods will cover the use of commercial divers, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), unmanned aerial systems, and a variety of underwater technologies with special emphasis on acoustic imaging. High resolution images with detailed measurements of a pipeline can be obtained even in zero visibility conditions. Some regulations and guidelines related to pipelines are mentioned herein.