Pipers® are an easy to deploy, miniaturized screening tool particularly suited for small diameter and difficult to inspect pipelines. Using a combination of sensors, Pipers® provide an assessment of the overall pipeline condition by identifying deposits, leaks, volumetric metal loss, and other anomalies that threaten pipeline performance and safety. Next to that, Pipers® can detect pipeline features such as joints, bends, and schedule changes.

This paper will provide a comparison of Pipers® data to traditional in-line inspection MFL data, discuss where they are complimentary and describe specific use cases for the Pipers® in combination with an MFL tool or as a stand-alone screening tool.

The comparison is based on screenings with Pipers® in a pipeline prior to running an MFL tool, and after running an MFL tool, and the results will be compared to that of the MFL tool specifically addressing the distance accuracy, defect and anomaly detection, and overall pipeline condition assessment.

This provides insights in the use of the Pipers® as a high-frequency screening tool, used in-between MFL runs and as a stand-alone tool for pipelines that cannot be inspected with traditional MFL tools, to optimize pipeline inspection programs, reduce pipeline downtime, and increase profits for pipeline operators.