Web Exclusive Feature: Monitoring Internal Pipeline Corrosion
Here's how to monitor the interior of pipelines to keep them safe from corrosion before it can cause problems.
Keeping pipelines safe from internal corrosion can be a challenging and expensive business; industry estimates run to several billion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. Pipeline accidents have caused catastrophic injury and destruction, resulting in the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) imposing integrity management requirements on pipeline operators.
Panhandle Energy, a subsidiary of Southern Union, operates approximately 18,000 miles of interstate pipelines. "In 2006, Panhandle will perform over 300 anomaly investigations," says David McQuilling, a Senior Engineer for Panhandle Energy. "On average, we budget $50,000 per investigation in rural areas, but if you're in an urban area, $50,000 may not even cover permitting; I've heard of operators spending over $250,000 on a single dig."