The sea is an unforgiving host, and pipeline workers know this all too well. Workers in the oil and gas extraction industry have historically faced a high occupational mortality rate. In recent years, the fatality rate has decreased, however. The decrease in deaths is due to safety being taken more seriously.
Whether you work in oil and gas extraction, adjacent industries, or just want to get a better understanding of how better subsea pipeline inspection can increase ocean safety, this article has you covered. Here is everything you need to know:
Pipeline Integrity
Around the world, there is a growing reliance on offshore oil and gas infrastructure. Not all of these pipes can be inspected internally. Such pipes are called unpiggable pipes, which means they cannot be inspected manually, using inline inspection tools called pigs. Outsourcing inspections of unpiggable pipelines has therefore become the norm. This kind of work is highly complex and requires specialised training and management.
Growing reliance on offshore pipelines and increased regulatory pressure for safety, as well as ageing subsea assets, has created an inspection boom. Routine inspections help to ensure pipeline integrity and prevent accidents from happening. The fact that many inspections are performed using advanced technology also means less manual intervention is needed.
Harsh Environments
Anyone who has worked at sea for long will know it is a harsh environment, and things can change suddenly, without warning. Weather forecasts can be helpful, but the ocean is unpredictable. The less time workers spend actually inspecting pipes, the safer it is for them.
Increased inspections and advanced technology have made subsea pipeline management much safer. Pipes can also be monitored remotely, which means workers don’t have to spend as much time in the ocean. In terms of pipeline maintenance, modern tools also make it possible to detect damage that would previously have been hidden by moss growth.
Inspection Technologies
As referenced already, the tools used by modern pipeline inspectors are much more advanced than those used in the past. This helps to keep pipes intact and means workers don’t have to have direct contact with pipes on every job. Automated ultrasonic systems can be used for deep water or hidden pipes.
Inspectors also have access to predictive modeling software, which can help determine which kind of damage is likely and which areas are most prone to pipeline deterioration or sabotage. Time-of-Flight Diffraction and phased-array UT are two highly advanced methods employed by inspectors to monitor pipe health.
Better Reporting
Pipeline inspectors from across the world can use databases that offer real-time insights into pipe health. This means that accidents are a lot less likely. They can also see reports developed by other inspectors, even if they do not work for the same agency or company.
Better reporting has reduced the number of deep-sea pipeline accidents. Inspectors are kept up to date with the health of pipelines around the world. Accidents are also reported in a lot more detail than they used to be, so steps can be taken to prevent them from being repeated.
Working at sea can be highly dangerous. And since much of the world’s infrastructure now relies on deep-sea pipes, damage to them can cause serious fallout. Thanks to inspectors and maintenance crews, however, pipelines are kept intact, and workers are kept safe. Get in touch with a professional offshore pipe inspector today to learn more.
