Dr. Xuesong Wang Pipeline Engineering & Supply Co Ltd. PPSA Seminar, 18 th Nov. 2009, Aberdeen

1. Dr. Xuesong Wang Pipeline Engineering & Supply Co Ltd. PPSA Seminar, 18th Nov. 2009, Aberdeen

2. Outline • Introduction • Principle • Features and benefits • Results • Laboratory experimental results • Field test results • Application areas • Summary

3. Principle • This acoustic pulse will be partially reflected wherever there is a change in the internal cross sectional area of the pipeline. • With the knowledge of the speed of sound in the pipeline, the location of features, such as blockages, holes, valves and buckles can be accurately detected and located. • The technique is non-invasive and in tests has been shown to be capable of surveying both small and large diameter pipelines

4. Features and benefits Features of the technology • Easy to fit and operate • Portable or permanent unit • Real time / instant analysis • Operating range of up to 10km • Pressure up to 5000psi • ATEX certified • Benefits of the technology • Pipeline surveys in just a few hours • No disruption to normal operations • Continuous monitoring capability • Remote surveying capability • Simple and cost effective

5. Laboratory test: Water deposit detection • Different cross section areas of water deposit can be detected. Solid PVC pipe, 16m, ID 63mm.

6. Laboratory test: Buckling detection Less than 3 % cross section area change can be detected. 100m coiled pipe, ID 50mm

7. Laboratory test: Flow experimental results • Matched filtering can be used to detect pipeline defects against the noisy background. Matched filtering analysis Pipe end Reflections of 800 Hz waves Blockage Pipe end

8. Field test: Atmospheric conditions • Multiple water deposits can be detected over long distance. 10” steel pipe. 1km long

9. Field test: High pressure conditions 3” steel pipe, 93 psig Obstruction can be detected over 850m at high pressure conditions.

10. Field test: High pressure conditions • Status can be identified.

11. Field test: High pressure with flow • Matched filter and band pass filter can be used to remove background noise. 1st reflection Processed data by using matched filtering 3rd reflection 2nd reflection Processed data by using a band pass filter

12. Applications • As a temporary installation to detect blockages, obstructions or other features in a pipeline. • As a permanent installation to continuously monitor a pipeline and detect changes such as the build-up of hydrate blockage or water deposit. • Location of partially closed valves. • Location of stuck pigging tools and plugs. • Location of dents, hydrates and debris.

13. Summary • An acoustic reflectometry technique for detecting defects in gas filled pipelines has been developed. • Appropriate signal processing techniques, such as band pass filter and matched filtering, can be used to identify features even on a complicated pipeline arrangement with strong noise interference. • Work is continuing to improve the accuracy and reliability of the method and also to test it on longer lengths of live gas pipeline. • Monitoring for liquid pipelines is under investigation.

14. Acknowledgements

15. Thanks for your attention Q&A xuesong.wang@PipelineEngineering.com