METHOD, MACHINE, AND COMPUTER MEDIUM HAVING COMPUTER PROGRAM TO DETECT AND EVALUATE STRUCTURAL ANOMALIES IN CIRCUMFERENTIALLY WELDED PIPELINES

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, machines, and a computer medium or media having computer programs to determine presence anomalies in circumferential welds of one or more pipelines transporting fluids associated with energy therethrough. Wave form analysis or pattern recognition in pipeline data such as magnetic flux leakage data is employed. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded such as in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the machines, methods, and computer medium having computer programs can be used to screen for anomalies potentially threatening the structural integrity of the one or more pipelines so that site excavation can occur for confirmation and validation of the output results.

主权项

1. A method of detecting and evaluating anomalies in circumferential welds of a longitudinally extending pipeline for the transport of fluids associated with energy therethrough, the method comprising:
receiving, in a first process, magnetic flux leakage data from one or more pipeline inspection survey tools, the magnetic flux leakage data including data being associated with one or more circumferential welds of one or more longitudinal pipelines; displaying, in a second process, the magnetic flux leakage data on the one or more displays as one or more A-Scan images wherein each of a plurality of channels is represented by a respective one of a plurality of individual lines, and wherein deviations in paths of the individual lines represent an excess or absence of metal in the structure of the one or more longitudinal pipelines; identifying, in a third process, one or more weld regions in the one or more A-Scan images including the magnetic flux leakage data representing the one or more circumferential welds; analyzing, in a fourth process, the magnetic flux leakage data within the one or more weld regions of the one or more A-Scan images being displayed on the one or more displays by making a determination whether or not anomalous regions can be detected within the one or more weld regions that include an individual line or individual lines that deviate from respective paths in a manner dissimilar to a background array of lines; and generating, in a fifth process, an output identifying a location of any of the one or more circumferential welds corresponding to any of the one or more weld regions in which an anomalous region was detected in the fourth process.