World Pipelines Magazine, Disrupting geohazard management

Assessing Pipeline Displacement from Geohazards - SKIPPER NDT

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes can severely impact buried pipelines, threatening public safety and the environment. SKIPPER NDT has developed a magnetic technology to evaluate pipeline displacement and bending strain in response to geohazard events. This solution allows pipeline operators to quickly assess mechanical integrity without interrupting operations.

Key benefits of the technology:

Reliable primary data: Magnetic measurements are taken directly from the pipeline, providing highly accurate and repeatable results (average positioning accuracy of 5 in., verified in PRCI projects).

Rapid deployment: Using UAVs, data can be collected over challenging terrain in a short time, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements like PHMSAís Mega Rule.

Enhanced operator safety: Remote data acquisition keeps personnel at a safe distance from hazardous areas.

Methodology:

The system combines fluxgate magnetometers, GNSS, IMU sensors, and proprietary electronics, mounted on a UAV or ground-based frame. Automated flight plans and patented algorithms allow fully automated data acquisition and processing, generating 3D digital twins of pipelines. These digital models enable precise bending strain analysis, identification of abnormal strain zones, and support predictive maintenance.

Case study:

A 450 mm buried pipeline in an area affected by ground displacement was surveyed using SKIPPER NDTís UAV-based system. The resulting 3D OOS (out-of-straightness) and bending strain profiles allowed the operator to detect vertical and horizontal deviations and take corrective actions without interrupting pipeline flow.

Summary of advantages:

• Accurate bending strain assessment based on direct measurements.

• Quick, non-intrusive deployment suitable for geohazard events.

• Operator safety ensured by remote data collection.

• Complements other inspection technologies, providing a reliable, fast, and precise method to assess pipeline integrity during and after geohazard events.