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Collaborating Authors
Emerging inspection technologies, tools and platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), robotic crawlers, and wearable/handheld devices are creating actionable data to help enable more informed decision making and improve process efficiency during survey and inspection related activities. This paper will discuss ABS’ initiatives to further understand and help define the use of and the integration of these tools and technologies to support the evolution of the maritime industry's transition to digitalization.
ABS, in conjunction with technology equipment manufacturers and service providers, has been conducting feasibility trials to evaluate the pragmatic application and implementation of these technologies to support Class surveys. These trials have focused on areas such as the detection of coating breakdowns using high-definition optics to aid in close-up visual inspections (CVI) and leveraging mobile platforms (wearable and handheld devices) in conjunction with a collaborative software platform to execute survey activities virtually in real-time (connected) or near real-time (disconnected), capturing data as required by Class Rules.
In support of these trials, ABS is actively involved in a joint development project (JDP) with academia focusing on the realization of image recognition (artificial Intelligence [AI]) into the survey decision-making process. As part of this JDP, an AI software was developed incorporating thousands of damaged structural coating images. These images were used for the training, testing and evaluation of the software's image recognition capabilities.
This paper discusses the results of the feasibility trials and the next steps in the digital evolution for Classification Society activities. Potential applications include but are not limited to: condition-based/remote surveys, evaluation of maintenance programs, development of 3D models with 3D scanning/image data capture, documentation auditing, and corrosion mapping of steel plates.
Exploration and production activities continue to expand to more remote regions. A health inspection guideline defining preventive control measures for occupational and public health concerns at remote sites was developed. The program was introduced in the company's drilling organization for selected operations in Africa and Asia. This paper describes the primary health risks facing multi-national petroleum companies in remote regions. Results and findings from the trial use of the inspection guidelines are presented. Additionally, the authors provide recommendations on how a preventive health inspection program can be integrated into existing systems for managing safety and health to insure that health issues are consistently addressed from project planning through operations.
- Health & Medicine > Consumer Health (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
The fully remote inspection was conducted with an ROV to increase worker safety and security and reduce environmental exposure on an offshore platform. The inspection projects to assess water ingress will be done via remotely operated vehicle. The data-driven maintenance program incorporates riser condition, usage, and fatigue analysis with a risk-based inspection process. As companies look to reduce the time it takes to inspect a subsea pipeline, as well as the costs involved in the operation, autonomous systems have become a more desirable option. How close are they to becoming the norm?
Monitoring the operation of Cathodic Protection (CP) systems on 39,000km (22,000 miles) of pipeline through site visits and manual readings is a time consuming and costly task. (Figure 1) Of the 1300 plus rectifier sites in the subject pipeline network, more than 40 sites are accessible only by helicopter and an additional 15-20 sites can only be accessed in the winter months by snowmachine, snowshoe or helicopter. Not only do the costs for performing this function lead one to investigate alternative solutions, but the philosophy of having corrosion technicians' carry out reactive instead of proactive work reduces their productivity.
INTRODUCTION
TransCanada operates a pipeline system that includes over 39,000km (22,000 miles) of pipeline in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec Canada. This vast pipeline network is comprised of gathering and transmission systems in Alberta and large diameter transmission piping in the remainder of the provinces listed above. With over 1300 rectifiers, the requirement to monitor the operation of these units on a monthly basis became a time consuming and costly task as the number of rectifiers increased. Some remote locations required helicopter and snowmobile access, further increasing the monitoring costs. Other factors, such as utilizing fewer corrosion technicians in a higher capacity such as troubleshooting, and downsizing of the work force, resulted in the decision to investigate alternatives to the methods being used at the time.
Several types of remote monitoring equipment were evaluated to engineer a solution to this problem. The primary criteria required that the unit be able to communicate the operating parameters of the rectifier via the existing radio system. Since the radio system is used essentially for voice communication, it was decided that the remote units should not automatically transmit information. It was determined that a software application would be developed to poll each unit during the night hours when the radio system was idle.
In addition to the task of ensuring continued operation of the CP systems, a mechanism was needed to provide rectifier interruption capabilities. The mandate to measure close interval (5 to 10 metres spacing) off potentials across the pipeline system on a 3 to 5 year rotation requires that in many areas, up to 30 rectifier sites must be interrupted simultaneously. Many of the sites include multiple high output rectifiers. The present method of visiting each site to install portable interrupters is time consuming and leads to significant reduction in survey productivity. Part of the requirement for the monitoring units was that the hardware and software included in the equipment allow remote setup of a schedule for beginning and ending of rectifier interruption, and for user defined rectifier off and on cycles. This would eliminate a significant amount of redundant work.
REMOTE MONITORING EQUIPMENT / INSTALLATION
Communication
Approximately 95% of the pipeline system is covered by an existing voice radio / SCADA system. The vendor of the radio system was asked to develop a radio modem with functionality similar to the existing mobile transceivers including the ability to handle small packets of serial data. A server resides at the head office in Calgary, Alberta, the purpose of which is to direct the request to one of several servers located at company offices across Canada. The information packet contains addressing information that causes it to be directed to, and transmitted from a specific radio tower servicing a geographic region. The packet is received by all radio modems within transmitting range of the tower. Only the modem whose
- Facilities Design, Construction and Operation > Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers (1.00)
- Data Science & Engineering Analytics > Information Management and Systems (1.00)
- Production and Well Operations > Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology > Corrosion inhibition and management (including H2S and CO2) (0.61)
- Facilities Design, Construction and Operation > Measurement and Control > SCADA (0.55)
Baker Hughes has launched its engageSubsea Remote, an equipment inspection tool and technical support and operational management platform. The company says the new platform, which is an extension of its engageSubsea platform and part of its Subsea Connect suite of technologies, provides real-time information on equipment status and location. Operators are under increasing pressure to cut costs and reduce rig time and downtime while improving efficiency and ensuring the continued safety of their operations. COVID-19 has magnified this pressure significantly by tightening budgets further while limiting travel and site visits during lockdown. Baker Hughes says it developed engageSubsea Remote in response to these challenges.