In the early 90s, driven by pipeline operators primarily in Europe, the Pipeline Operator Forum (POF) specification1 was developed. The POF specification had a range of targeted objectives, however it primarily aimed to ensure that there was consistency and transparency throughout the tendering process, to the adjudication process and on to the final inspection report. Such a process would ensure that data captured from independent ILI service providers would be comparable. This document is still used as a recognised document and has been revised twice since it was first released with the most recent release in January 2005. The document is not prescriptive, rather it describes the minimum criteria that should be included with an ILI.

In January 2002, an act to the amendment of the United States code covering pipeline transportation (title 49) was undertaken2 to enhance the security and safety of pipelines. A requirement, amongst others, included that “each operator of a pipeline facility shall conduct an analysis of the risks to each facility…., including any subsequent modifications, and shall adopt and implement a written Integrity Management program for a facility to reduce the risks.”

Dating back to May 2001, the initial Integrity Management rule for hazardous liquid pipelines applied to operators with more than 500 miles of pipeline. The new requirement, which became effective in February 2002, made the rule also applicable to owners of all hazardous liquid pipelines.

Given the regulated changes that were taking place in the North American industry, with direct impact on ILI, by late 2001 there was a need for future standards to emerge. The typical existing standards included the POF (as before-mentioned), NACE TR 35100, NACE RP-0102-2002 as-well as within Australasia, AS 2885.3-2001.

At that time, three major standards were developed, covering the ILI Process (NACE RP0102-2002), ILI Personnel Qualification (ASNT ILI-PQ-2005) and ILI Systems Qualification (API 1163). These three standards are covered in more detail in the sections below.

Recommended Practice for In-Line Inspection of Pipelines (NACE RP 0102-2002)

Released in 2002, this standard primary outlines the processes of related activities that a pipeline operator can use to plan, organise and execute an ILI project.

NACE RP0102-2002 also references standard 35100. NACE RP0102-2002 also covers important aspects including tool selection, ILI compatibility assessment with logistical guidelines, inspection scheduling, new construction, data analysis and data management.

In-Line Inspection of Pipelines Personnel Qualification (ASNT ILI-PQ-2005)

While NACE RP0102-2002 covers a range of important qualifications and assessments, it does not make any reference to personnel qualifications.

In Australia, AS 2885.3-2001 section 4.1 states that; “Operating and maintenance personnel that are required to carry out these procedures shall be suitably qualified, trained and experienced to accepted industry standards”. In section 5.3.1 of AS 2885.3-2001, it also states that; “Inspection shall be carried out by approved and appropriately trained and experienced personnel”. In the spirit of the code, AS2885 allows for initiative. In Australasia, we have one of the few international codes which allows for industry to self-regulate in certain aspects.

Given the drive in the North American market primarily, emerging personnel standards were very evidently needed. In 2001, it was recognised that the existing DOT Operators Qualifications (OQ) Rule did not cover performing an ILI or ILI Data Analysis as a covered task. As a result, the pipeline operators agreed to the criticality of ILI and that Integrity Management warranted qualified inspection systems and personnel. From this, an ad hoc committee of operators, regulators and service providers, as well as industry consultants, was formed to scope an ILI qualification standard and to solicit interest from the major standards development organisations (SDOs).

Ultimately, no single SDO expressed interest in developing the entire package, however ASNT agreed to sponsor the development of the personnel standard qualification (ASNT ILI-PQ-2005) while API agreed to sponsor the development of the third major qualification, the ILI Systems Qualification (API 1163) which was being developed in parallel to ASNT ILI-PQ-2005.

ASNT ILI-PQ-2005 established the general framework for the qualification and certification of the industry specific personnel using non-destructive testing methods with ILI tools. ASNT ILI-PQ-2005 primarily focuses on the service technicians used in the field that operate the tools (tool operators) as well as the data analysts that evaluate the data captured by the ILI tools in the field (data analysis).

The document provides recommended minimum educational, experience and training requirements for the different types of tools or non-destructive testing methods used by the ILI service providers. This was to include all types of tools that are used in liquid and gas pipelines such as geometry, magnetic flux leakage, ultrasonic and electro-magnetic acoustic transducers.

In common practice with ASNT ILI-PQ-2005 non-destructive testing experiences, there are three levels of qualifications: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. As with the non-destructive testing practice, a Level 1 Technician works under the guidance of a Level 2. A Level 2 Technician has the authority to accept or reject in accordance with a code of practice and a Level 3 Technician has the same authority as Level 2 however also has the authority to contradict/rewrite training practice, codes and standards.

ASNT ILI-PQ-2005 was released for public comment and thereafter released as an industry document in May 2005.

In-Line Inspection Systems Qualification (API 1163)

The API 1163, as an industry initiator, had its first working meeting held in October 2002. The breakdown of the committee, by affiliation included 11 Liquid Pipeline Operators, 7 Gas Line Pipeline Operators, 11 ILI Services providers, 6 Regulators and 11 Consultants.

The API Standard 1163 was set up as an ‘umbrella’ document that covers ILI Systems, including procedures, personnel, equipment, and associated software. The standard was to be written for hazardous liquids and natural gas pipelines with the objective of providing performance guidelines as opposed to prescriptive requirements. The standard was to provide the pipeline industry with a consistent means of assessing, using and verifying ILI services.

Furthermore, and where appropriate, the standard was also developed with reference to other industry recognised documents such as NACE RP0102-2002 and ASNT ILI-PQ-2005. The standard itself was to ensure that it would provide a performance guideline such that inspection companies can make clear, uniform and verifiable statements to describe the inspection system performance and the pipeline company can select inspection systems that are suitable for the conditions in which the inspections are to be conducted. The standard also mandated guidelines for inspection equipment operation under specific conditions in addition to inspection procedures for before, during and after the inspections. The aim was to develop a highly accurate body of inspection data and analysis.

The standard is also established to include:

* Terms, definitions and acronyms – using existing industry terminology. * ILI System performance validation, guidelines for defining ILI performance capabilities, verification changes and management of change * ILI System selection – guidelines for matching published systems capabilities with specific applications, referencing NACE and other standards as appropriate.

Once the document was finalised, it was released for public review in 2005 and released later that year.

The interaction between the three standards

Given the release of API 1163, NACE RP0102-2002 and the ASNT ILI-PQ-2005, the interaction of the three Standards could clearly be seen. Figure 1 is from API 1163 and shows the interaction of the three standards.

As the ASNT ILI-PQ-2005 and NACE RP0102-2002 are incorporated into API 1163 by reference, in order to qualify with API 1163, the other two standards must also be met. As such, API 1163 (ILI Systems Qualification) consist of the ILI tools, associated hardware, software, procedures and personnel.

In conjunction with the establishment of industry documents, the ILI Association was formed (www.ILIAssocation.org). The ILIA is represented by a number of service providers with the main goals and targets being:

* Support the pipeline industry in the need to enhance pipeline integrity * Raise the awareness of the ILI industry including the overall products and services, current technologies, identifying the capabilities and limitations thereof, best practices and keep the industry up to date on research and development initiatives, * Liaise with industry associations with regulatory bodies, * Participate in the consensus development of the structures that ensure provision of high quality ILI Services.

All of the standards developed for ILI have been initiated by pipeline operators and fully supported by the ILI service providers. In conclusion, given recent interest in our Australian industry pertaining to training qualification and self regulation, it is imperative to emphasise that standards are not commercial documents. Standards do not specify which parties must perform certain functions. Such decisions are commercial in nature and are to be left to negotiation between the respect parties.

References

1. Specifications and Requirements for intelligent pig inspections of pipelines – Version 3.2, January 2005 2. One hundred Seventh Congress of United States of America, 2nd session (23rd January 2002)

Bryce Brown, ROSEN North America

Bryce is the Manager of Integrity and Compliance for ROSEN North America in Houston, Texas. He has been with the company for 17 years and is responsible for pipeline regulations and integrity as they relate to the company’s pipeline inspection business. He received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. He is a member of ASME and NACE. He has held the position of President for both the In-Line Inspection Association (ILIA) and the Pigging Products and Services Association (PPSA). Bryce also represents ROSEN on the PRCI Inspection and Maintenance Technical Planning Committee. Bryce served as the Vice-Chair of the working committee which developed API 1163, “Inline Inspection Systems Qualification Standard”.

Chris Yoxall, ROSEN Australia Pty Ltd

Chris Yoxall is the General Manager of ROSEN Australia Pty Ltd, based at the Oceania Region head office in Perth. He commenced involvement in the Oil & Gas and Mining industry in 1990 with CSIR specialising in state of art non-destructive testing techniques for safety critical components, prior to joining ROSEN in his present capacity 10 years ago.

He has been for many years and remains an active member with the APIA Research & Standards Committee (RSC), Welding Technology and Institute of Australia (tech note 20) and ME 38.3 in support of AS2885.3. Chris has studied Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering and has written several published papers and has extensive industry experience.