Wall Thickness Changed but MAOP Did Not Have to be Lowered
50 ft, 12" OD
Pipe Joint
X65
Grade Confirmed
No Reduction
MAOP Impact
ABI® + ILI
Method
The Challenge
Smart-pig MFL inspection discovered a 50-foot pipe joint (12" OD) with 0.281" wall thickness while the rest of the pipeline had 0.312" wall thickness of Grade X52. The anomalous joint was located in a swamp area, and the operator faced the prospect of lowering the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) for the entire pipeline segment.
The Solution
In-situ ABI® tests were performed on the anomalous joint, confirming it met Grade X65 specifications. Because the increased grade compensated for the reduced wall thickness, the MAOP did not need to be lowered. This case demonstrates the complementary use of in-line inspection (ILI) smart-pig technology and ABI® testing for comprehensive pipeline integrity management.
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