While PipeImage 5.0 came out in 2003, a full year after version 4.1, Larios said that “customer interest in the latest features was so high that we decided to release 5.1 after just 8 months.”

PipeImage is the most technologically advanced, yet user-friendly, data visualisation software available in the pipeline industry. It enables users to process, view, navigate and annotate high-resolution magnetic inspection data – and investigate alternative repair scenarios for critical defects.

The program is a 32-bit Windows application and provides all the functionality and familiarity of the Microsoft environment. A point-and-click interface lets users view inspection data with easy scaling, magnification and data-enhancement options. Key locations can be labelled and quickly accessed by means of navigation and annotation tools.

PipeImage was introduced in 1999 and is continually enhanced through GE Energy’s internal research and development initiatives, and fuelled by feedback and requests from the world’s most advanced pipeline companies.

The latest version of PipeImage incorporates the following features:

• Area/Volume Histogram (available via Graphics Toolbar, Reporting menu and Wizard) providing users with a more visible means of data distribution;
• Improved Depth Based Reporting;
• Inspection Summary Window – a new Graphical User Interface that is an active link between Wizard, 3D and Standard View;
• Smart Query enables the client to define criteria to select features of interest;
• Lite View enables features to be displayed on the line stripped of signal data;
• 3D Pipe Viewer allows the user to take a virtual journey along the pipeline; and,
• Pipeline GIS (PIGIS), an affordable add-on, which operates independently of all third-party products to display pipeline route and features along maps, imagery and satellite images.

Since its inception, PipeImage has maintained several key strengths over alternative data processing software. The most commonly reported frustrations with other programs revolve around limited query capabilities and data display/interface characteristics.

Larios says many operators reported that too many individual queries were required – and that results from multiple queries often had to be combined in order to determine the desired objective. PipeImage eliminates these obstacles with the introduction of multi-level query strings. For example, in one step, a user can request a list of all metal loss features greater than 40 per cent WT that are associated with a dent and within 10 cm of a girth weld. The compound query results are presented just as quickly as other programs would complete a single-parameter search.

The software also greatly improved the variety and quality of data display options. For users who are comfortable working with magnetic signals from MagneScan and TranScan inspections, PipeImage provides all the familiar rawdata signals, line traces and thermalplots. For other users who prefer a more realistic presentation of the data, PipeImage provides a unique grey-scale interpretation of metal-loss features. This feature gives operators a significantly more valuable idea of precisely what to watch for in the field.

Pipeline operators’ most prevalent complaint about many data visualisation programs was simply that they often required a specially trained IT or software technician to process information requests. With PipeImage’s Wizard function, however, all managers can quickly and easily perform non-destructive queries of the dataset – including the most complex analyses, dig sheet generation, histograms and plots.

PipeImage incorporates more interactive options on a single screen than any other in-line inspection data viewer. Using pipeline listing data and centre-line positioning generated by GE Energy’s ScoutScan inspection tool, PipeImage can create an accurate 3D image of the entire length of the pipeline. Features such as bends, valves, anodes and other fittings are located and oriented correctly. All metal-loss features are visible, with associated details quickly accessible through on-screen menus.

An optional GIS feature uses ScoutScan measurements to place the pipeline on aerial imagery or maps. This enables pipeline operators to relate features to the immediate surroundings and quickly assess the implications. It also provides valuable support for in-field inspections and repair procedures.

In addition to PipeImage 5.1, the company’s other recent accomplishments include PipeView™ Integrity, the first software to seamlessly collect and organise multiple sources of pipeline data.

GE Energy employs the pipeline industry’s largest collection of software experts dedicated to the development of data management and analysis tools. Regional head offices are located in Houston, Texas, USA and Cramlington, UK.