ILI tools used in no flow pipelines - crawlers, self propelled

[awol]

I am interested in success stories from operators or service providers who have used ILI Tools in pipelines with no flow. The pipelines needing the inspection are 15 miles long and 20 miles long. Relatively flat elevation. Pipelines are full of petroleum liquid and no pressure. Would like the tool to traverse some bends and make the journey to the receiver without recharging in the middle. OK with MFL technology or UT technology for metal loss. Also need a caliper tool data. Can be same tool or separate tools. Found data online for a crawler claiming 9 plus miles in liquid. Would like to know the technology available and if/when the tools have been successfully used. Would consider a BETA project for new drive or tractor technology with a solid contengency plan. Thanks.

 

[LittleInch]

awol,

You say no flow and no pressure which seems very odd. Can you clear them with a pig and Nitrogen? If you can do this then you stand a chance of using releatively standard pigs porpelled by gas.

What size are they? CAn you get access into the lines at either end?

15 and 20 miles long is beyond the reach of tethered tools as the drag on the cable is just too much without even going round bends which adds considereably the drag for each bend. Self powered tools will run out of power unless the pipe is particualrly big - see my question about size. There are towed torpedo shaped instruments

Have you tried the "diffcult and unpiggable pipelines solutions group" on linked in? There are some very good people on there who may be able to point you in the right direction and arecent post where this is discussed -

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=3356338

,search "propulsion of inspection tools"

My motto: Learn something new every day

Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way

 

[awol]

Thanks for the suggestion about LinkedIn. They are a good source of information. Correction on pressure. There will be about 400 psi pressure. The 16 inch pipeline is stagnate, no flow and full of hydrocarbons. Trying not to displace the liquid but leave it in place for now. Need to inspect now and will have capacity to distribute the liquid later. So the tool will crawl, propel, swim, etc, in a non-flowing pressurized pipeline. For the 15 mile long section, maybe could use a tool with 15 km range and run from each end? Have access at each end with traps.

 

[SJones]

If the data you found is from Pipecrawlers, that looks to be your best bet (assuming that the line is in a fit state to accept the crawler in the first place).

Steve Jones
Corrosion Management Consultant

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

All answers are personal opinions only and are in no way connected with any employer.