Our top FIVE take-aways from IPCE 2024 - Frontline Integrity

As an independent consultancy, operators expect us to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge developments across the industry.

Last week we took the opportunity to attend the 2024 international Pipeline Conference and Exhibition (IPCE) in Calgary, Canada.

Here are our top five IPCE take-aways:

1.?????? In-Line Inspection Technology Advances

The Novitech Micron technology continues to attract huge amounts of attention. Amongst other capabilities, Micron offers a magnetics-based (not MFL!) direct measurement solution for circumferential crack detection in gas pipelines which has, to-date, been a significant gap in the market - particularly for operators managing SCC. The body of evidence supporting its performance capabilities, which is backed up by a number of major operators, is certainly impressive. An excellent presentation from NDTglobal was also memorable in demonstrating how its Ultrasonic Crack Detection (UTCD) evaluation teams went the extra mile to develop and validate a bespoke analysis procedure for a complex, non-standard SCC morphology. Although initially outside the standard tool performance specification, the realised depth-sizing improvements ultimately enhanced customer integrity management design making capabilities, in terms of prioritising anomaly response. Also of note was ROSEN’s presentation detailing the development and validation of its new high-resolution small diameter Ultrasonic Crack detection fleet. Overall, it is pleasing to see ILI vendors becoming more open on the topic of tool performance in response to challenges from the market. In our opinion, this is a healthy development to drive continuous service improvement to customers.

2.?????? Hydrogen

Although a significant amount of laboratory research into the complex impact of hydrogen on pipeline materials remains ongoing, it was evident that the industry is now firmly focused on how this can be pragmatically applied ‘in real life’. In particular, a number of impressive technical presentations by SGN and partners detailing the trials, testing and analysis undertaken in preparation for the repurposing of the 30km Grangemouth to Granton pipeline to 100% hydrogen in 2025. The ongoing work is practically targeting many of the previous ‘unknowns’ surrounding the operation, maintenance and risk-management of pipelines repurposed to hydrogen. ?From a codification perspective, it was also pleasing to see the forthcoming consolidation of the pipeline section of ASME B31.12 into the existing gas transmission standard, ASME B31.8, demonstrating a far more pragmatic approach to materials characterisation which was previously a significant barrier to repurposing existing infrastructure.

3.?????? Circumferential Cracking Threat

There was a significant focus on circumferentially orientated stress corrosion cracking this year, with a large number of papers associated with the prediction, inspection or assessment of this challenging threat, which often goes under the radar.?

There is an assumption in the industry that this threat primarily focuses within areas of geotechnical instability and that by monitoring pipe movement, the threat is covered. However, our experience is that this threat focuses more at areas associated with construction issues. This experience was also shared by Pembina and their excellent paper presentation (IPC2024-134030 - Circumferential Stress Corrosion Cracking, Bending Strains, Slopes and Landslides - Doug Dewar et al). The key is identifying where these locations are on your pipeline which currently is a major challenge.

4.?????? Hard Spots – Detection and Tool Validation

The industry is making good strides in improving the reliability of the MFL-based technology for hard spot detection. These sites of material inhomogeneity are hotspots for crack initiation and propagation; however the validation stage remains the hardest hard nut to crack. Enbridge GTM presented their three-stage process to try and validate a number of vendors in line with API 1163 (IPC2024-134152 – Yvan Hubert et al).?? ??

The tricky challenges of identification and sizing remain prominent, particularly considering calls on ‘live’ pipelines are difficult to validate in the ditch unless they are on the external surface.

5.?????? The Conference Itself

With over 300 papers presented, it was a busy and comprehensive schedule which was kicked off by the incredible Bret “The Hitman” Hart. While at times, this meant you had to pick a favourite and miss out elsewhere, having such an extensive offering meant there was something for everyone. It was excellent to catch up with so many friendly faces (or perhaps these smiles were more to do with the fact they wanted one of our Ultimate Pipeliner Mugs which are now trophies in offices across the globe ??!)?