Testing electrical integrity of electrically heated subsea pipelines

摘要

Method is provided for testing electrically heated subsea pipelines that are "electrical-ready," that is, equipped for applying electrical power when it is needed for heating the pipeline at any time during the life of the pipeline. Time domain reflectometer apparatus in a water-tight enclosure can be deployed subsea. Electrical connections are made with the pipeline using wet-mateable connectors. Reflected signals from the segment of the pipeline being tested are transmitted to an interface at the surface, where the time domain reflectometer is controlled to send a selected pulse. Reflected signals may be interpreted by observing pulse form and time of receipt or by comparison of pulse forms received at different times during the life of a pipeline. Apparatus for electrically connecting a time domain reflectometer to an electrical-ready pipeline is provided.