Pipeline Integrity Assessment
For thousands of miles of undocumented pipelines in the United States, ABI® provides field-deployable nondestructive measurement of yield strength and fracture toughness — satisfying the material verification requirements of 49 CFR §192.607 without pipeline shutdown or destructive sampling.
ABI® complements in-line inspection (ILI) by providing the material property data that smart pigs cannot measure, enabling accurate MAOP determination and comprehensive fitness-for-service assessments on operating pipeline systems.
Comprehensive Pipeline Assessment
How ABI® Supports Pipeline Integrity
MAOP Determination
ABI-measured yield strength enables accurate calculation of Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure per 49 CFR §192.607 — without pipeline shutdown or destructive sampling.
Pipe Grade Verification
Determine API 5L pipe grade from in-situ yield strength and tensile strength measurements. Restore missing material documentation for undocumented pipeline segments acquired through mergers, acquisitions, or aging records.
ILI / Smart-Pig Complementary Workflow
ABI® complements in-line inspection (ILI) by providing the material property data that smart pigs cannot measure. When ILI detects anomalies in wall thickness or geometry, ABI® determines whether the actual pipe grade compensates for the anomaly.
ASME B31G Corroded Pipeline Assessment
Integrate ABI-measured yield strength with ASME B31G corrosion assessment calculations for a complete fitness-for-purpose workflow — potentially saving millions per assessment compared to pipeline replacement.
Fracture Toughness for Pipeline FFS
The Haggag Fracture Toughness Method determines KJc nondestructively from indentation data, providing the fracture toughness required for Level 3 API 579 fitness-for-service assessments on operating pipelines.
Hydrogen Embrittlement Detection
Detect and quantify hydrogen-induced strength changes and toughness degradation in ferritic pipeline steels — critical for sour service environments and the emerging hydrogen transport infrastructure.
Standards & Compliance
Regulatory Framework
Pipeline operators face increasing regulatory requirements for material verification and integrity management. ABI® provides the nondestructive data needed to satisfy these requirements without service interruption.
49 CFR §192.607 — PHMSA Mega Rule
The federal regulation establishing nondestructive testing requirements for pipeline material verification. ABI® satisfies the yield strength measurement requirements for pipe grade determination and MAOP calculation on undocumented pipeline segments — without requiring destructive sampling or service interruption.
ASTM E636-14
The standard test method for Automated Ball Indentation® testing. ABI® procedures are aligned with precision data from a six-laboratory interlaboratory study (L52280) that included PRCI, providing the statistical confidence required for regulated pipeline applications.
ASME B31G / Modified B31G
ABI-measured yield strength integrates directly with ASME B31G and Modified B31G corrosion assessment methods. Using actual measured yield strength instead of assumed SMYS values produces more accurate remaining-strength calculations for corroded pipelines.
API 579 / ASME FFS-1
ABI® provides the fracture toughness data required for Level 3 fitness-for-service assessments on pipeline components. The Haggag Fracture Toughness Method determines KJc and reference temperature T₀ nondestructively, enabling master curve analysis per ASTM E1921.
Complementary Technology
ABI® + In-Line Inspection (ILI) Workflow
Smart-pig in-line inspection identifies geometric anomalies — wall loss from corrosion, dents, ovality, and other defects. However, ILI tools cannot measure the actual mechanical properties of the pipe material. Without knowing the true yield strength and fracture toughness, engineers must rely on assumed minimum values (SMYS) for integrity calculations.
ABI® fills this data gap by providing direct measurement of mechanical properties at locations identified by ILI as requiring further assessment. When ILI detects an anomalous wall thickness, ABI® can determine whether the actual pipe grade compensates for the anomaly — potentially avoiding costly repairs or pressure reductions.
This complementary workflow has been demonstrated in the field: in one case, ILI detected a 50-foot joint with reduced wall thickness, and ABI® confirmed it met a higher pipe grade (X65 vs. X52), preventing an unnecessary MAOP reduction.
What ILI Measures
- Wall thickness and metal loss (MFL, UT)
- Geometric anomalies (dents, ovality, wrinkles)
- Crack detection (EMAT, UT crack tools)
- Pipeline centerline and GPS mapping
What ABI® Adds
- Yield strength and tensile properties
- API 5L pipe grade determination
- Fracture toughness (KJc) and reference temperature
- Stress-strain curve and strain-hardening data
- Hydrogen embrittlement detection
Proven Results
Pipeline Case Studies
ABI® has been deployed on pipeline systems across multiple states and countries, providing the material property data operators need for regulatory compliance and integrity decisions.
Related Solutions
Explore Related Capabilities
Peer-Reviewed Research
Related Publications
The following publications demonstrate ABI®'s application to pipeline integrity management, including MAOP determination, corrosion assessment, fracture toughness, and hydrogen embrittlement.