R&D Advances in Corrosion and Crack Monitoring for Oil and Gas Lines

Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) inspection techniques for in-line corrosion monitoring of pipelines continue to evolve rapidly. Current R&D is aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of defect sizing. Major issues are the variability and consequent need to characterize the magnetic properties of the pipes and the effects of line pressure, residual and bending stresses on MFL signals. Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) measurements are being used to study the stress-induced changes in magnetic anisotropy. Remote Field Eddy Current (RFEC) techniques are being investigated for detection and measurement of stress corrosion cracking in gas pipelines. Anomalous defect source models have improved the detailed explanation of crack defect interactions greatly.Copyright © 1996 by ASME