HOIS Highlights 2023-2024
Pipework Analytics and Inspection Optimisation
Background
Piping/pipework inspection forms a significant proportion of overall inspection activity in upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas production as well as other manufacturing sectors. As such, there are always drivers to make sure the inspection is as effective and efficient as possible. Sufficient inspection needs to be carried out to determine the threat from internal degradation mechanisms and meet integrity requirements, whilst conversely, avoiding too much unnecessary inspection which fails to add additional integrity value. There is also a requirement to make the best use of the inspection data, through the use of inspection analytics, to better understand the active degradation mechanisms, including their spatial characteristics, and provide the basis for optimising future inspections.
New approaches to piping inspection data analytics, condition monitoring and non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques tailored for piping, are now available and more are coming to market. These provide the opportunity to update piping inspection strategies and piping data analytics to better meet integrity requirements. However, the benefits of changing from established practice need to be clearly demonstrated in terms of economic and/or risk to support the argument for change.
The aim of this HOIS project is to focus on understanding the benefits and limitations of different analytical approaches.
The focus is on how inspection analytics can:
- Extract insight and value from historic inspection data,
- Aid the optimisation of future inspection strategy,
- Identify any required changes to inspection reporting or data management.
Progress Update
A report has been delivered to HOIS members which discusses the strengths and limitation of different available analytical options for pipework inspection.
Further work is underway utilising a range of real world inspection data set provided by HOIS members to critique different analytics approaches and demonstrate how well they work in practise. This report will include practical guidance and key points to look out for when implementing them these approaches.
