Pipe Tek Managing Director Myles Brannelly explains some of the common pitfalls when preparing a pipeline for inspection.
Accurate inline inspection (ILI) data is the cornerstone of any effective integrity management program, but even the most advanced inspection tools can deliver poor results if the pipeline isn’t properly prepared. Inadequate preparation can lead to unreliable data, costly reruns and unplanned delays which, according to one of Australia’s leaders in the space, are avoidable outcomes.
Pipe Tek is recognised as one of Australia’s leading turnkey pipeline integrity contractors, delivering cleaning, testing and inspection services. As the exclusive partner of Enduro Pipeline Services in Australia, Pipe Tek has direct access to Enduro’s advanced ILI technology and products.
While the access to Enduro’s ILI systems and experience gives Pipe Tek an edge, Brannelly said that the success of any inspection program is determined before the tool enters a pipeline, starting with thorough cleaning and preparation.
One of the most obvious indicators that a pipeline isn’t ready for ILI is the volume of debris returned during pigging runs. If large amounts of wax, scale, sediment or compressible debris continue to come out with each pass, the line is still far from clean.
“A properly prepared pipeline should be recovering less debris after each run,” he said.
“If the amount of debris isn’t getting smaller then more cleaning is required.”
Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) tools, like Enduro’s DfL-UHR which Pipe Tek has in its arsenal for advanced ILI projects, rely on stable magnetic fields to detect corrosion and metal loss. The continued presence of ferrous debris can interfere with those magnetic fields, generating signal noise or masking genuine anomalies. Brannelly said if magnetic cleaning tools are repeatedly collecting metal fragments then it is a clear sign the pipeline requires further conditioning before starting inspection.
Inspection tools must also operate within a defined speed range to collect accurate and complete data. Inconsistent speeds during cleaning runs usually indicate internal restrictions, heavy contamination or unstable flow conditions.
“If cleaning pigs can’t travel smoothly, an ILI tool is unlikely to perform optimally,” said Brannelly.
“Consistent speed during preparation runs is one of the strongest indicators of inspection readiness.”
Pressure fluctuations during pigging are often a result of partial blockages or debris in front of the tool. These conditions not only increase operational risk but can also affect tool performance and data resolution.
Monitoring pressure trends during pre-inspection runs provides valuable insight into the true internal condition of the line.
Brannelly said in any form of data gathering, uncertainty is a red flag.
“Older pipelines, rarely pigged assets, or alignments which have been rehabilitated or reconstructed might contain things the operator isn’t aware of,” he said.
“This can include unknown deposits like scale, corrosion products, water pockets or compacted solids. If we don’t know what’s inside the pipeline, a conservative and methodical cleaning program is essential before committing to ILI.”
According to Brannelly, a common misstep is assuming a single cleaning run will be enough to properly clean the pipeline. Pipe Tek’s preparation for ILI typically involves multiple cleaning passes designed to progressively reduce the amount of debris and stabilise conditions inside the pipeline.
“Skipping this step may save time upfront, but it often results in compromised data and the contractor will most likely need to re-clean the pipeline, which can blow the budget of the project,” said Brannelly.
“It’s the old quality over quantity cliche, and one of the reasons we believe we’re the best at what we do. When speaking with asset owners, or even when brought in to clean up after an inspection has failed, the first thing we look at is the cleaning schedule.
“In the overwhelming majority of cases, that was the root cause of the issues. There are already so many variables at play when working on pipelines. At the end of the day taking the time to meticulously clean a pipeline is going to give us the best chance of success at each step of the inspection process.”
Brannelly said the partnership with Enduro allows Pipe Tek to combine its local expertise with globally proven ILI technology.
“We believe this integrated approach ensures the pipelines we’re working on are not only inspected with the best tools on the market, but properly prepared leveraging our team’s knowledge and experience in local conditions to maximise the collection of accurate data on the first run,” he said.
“By following these steps and taking the time to confirm if a pipeline is ready, the ILI will deliver higher-quality data, reduce the likelihood of reruns, improve the detection of anomalies and significantly increase the overall chances of the project being successful.
“When it comes to ILI, at Pipe Tek, preparation isn’t an optional extra, it’s the foundation of success.”
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