METHOD OF TESTING A SUBSEA PIPE SEGMENT BORE FOR SOLIDS

摘要

A method and system for detecting the presence of a blockage within a subsea pipe segment includes a submersible and remotely-operated vehicle having a laser emitting element and a hydrophone. The vehicle is positioned proximal to a subsea pipe segment of interest, and the laser emitting element is activated to irradiate a laser target on an exterior portion of the pipe segment. The laser light is converted to heat energy, and heat is conducted from the laser target across the pipe wall to a portion of the bore of the pipe segment. Acoustic signals are produced as a result, of one of the disassociation of gas from a portion of the solid deposit proximal to the laser target, stress cracks induced in the solid deposit and physical changes of state and physical displacement occurring within the blockage. The acoustic signals are detected by the hydrophone on the vehicle.