A new study by Kimberlite Oilfield Research (The Woodlands, Texas, USA) reveals that operators plan to increase pipeline integrity management expenditures by 8.5% in North America and 4.8% internationally to better manage risks such as corrosion and cracks.
The study was based on interviews with 201 operators worldwide. According to the survey, corrosion remains the biggest challenge that operators face in maintaining the integrity of their pipeline systems. However, crack detection is the single larget integrity issue that operators cite as not being adequately addressed by current inspection technologies.
Globally, ~40% of pipeline operators are using ultrasonic technologies to assist with crack detection, and ultrasonic technology deployment has risen to a ~13% share of total inline inspection (ILI) runs worldwide, the study found.
Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) technology deployment leads the market with ~71% of use in total ILI runs.
Pipeline operators will continue to increase their use of MFL and ultrasonic technologies to assist with threat identification and to provide superior integrity management, according to the study.
With only 40% of operators currently using ultrasonic crack detection technologies, these technologies are poised to experience significant growth in the years ahead, Kimberlite says.
Source: Kimberlite, www.kimberliteresearch.com.