Strain Estimation Using Vetco Deformation Tool Data

Abstract

Damage to pipelines in the form of indentations and third-party damage has emerged as a key concern for operating reliability and public safety within the pipeline industry. Many operators have conducted detailed surveys of their pipelines for indentations (or simply “dents”) by means of in-line inspection tools designed to detect, measure, and report the presence, size, and location of dents, as well as other deformations such as buckles or wrinkles and ovality.</jats:p> <jats:p>Described herein is a technique suitable for processing the signal from Tuboscope-Vetco deformation ILI tools in order to derive the local cold strain associated with indentation of the pipe.