The internal inspection ball was successfully used for the first time in the oil transport pipelines of Changqing Oilfield
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【First successful use of internal inspection balls in the oil transport pipelines of Changqing Oilfield】 Reporters learned from Changqing Oilfield on September 17 that, after a 28-hour and 50-minute journey, at 12:47 on September 10, the last magnetic flux leakage detection ball arrived successfully at the receiving area for such balls at the Binxian site of the Qingxian pipeline station in Changqing Oilfield, marking a successful first attempt at using internal inspection balls in the oil transport pipelines of this oilfield. Since this internal pipeline inspection represents the first application of magnetic flux leakage detection technology on operational oil transport pipelines in the Changqing Oilfield, it constitutes one of the latest technologies for identifying pipeline defects. To ensure the successful implementation of this new technology, the ball testing operation within the Qingxian pipeline was carried out through 62 days of round-the-clock efforts by various departments and units at the Second Oil Transportation Department, as well as by specialized technical personnel from the China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute; as a result, the intelligent inspection of this long-distance pipeline was successfully completed. The successful first use of internal inspection balls in oil pipelines has significantly improved the overall level of defect monitoring and management for long-distance crude oil pipelines in the Changqing Oilfield, providing a reliable foundation for accelerating the development of intelligent pipelines.
Flux leakage testing refers to the phenomenon where, after a ferromagnetic material is magnetized, defects on or near the surface of the specimen generate a flux leakage field; by detecting changes in this flux leakage field, defects can be identified. A leakage magnetic field occurs when there are defects in a material that disrupt the magnetic flux lines. The defects or changes in the material’s structure on its surface cause variations in its permeability. Since the permeability of these defects is very low, the magnetic resistance is high, which leads to distortions in the magnetic flux within the magnetic circuit. The direction of the magnetic induction lines changes as a result. While some of the magnetic flux passes directly through the defects or inside the material to bypass them, another portion of the magnetic flux leaks out onto the surface of the material, passing through the air to bypass the defects before re-entering the material. This is how a leakage magnetic field is formed on the surface of the material. Magnetic Fluxleakage Testing (MFT) is a very important non-destructive testing method that is widely used. When used in combination with other methods, it can provide a fast and inexpensive assessment of ferromagnetic workpieces. With the advancement of technology, there is an increasing focus on the automation of testing processes. This not only reduces the labor intensity of the inspection work but also improves the reliability of the inspection results and minimizes the impact of human factors.
News on January 6th: Good news! A technology that has long been **monopolized by Europe and the United States – the inspection of large-diameter submarine oil pipelines for long-distance transport – has now been mastered by those working in the petrochemical pipeline industry! Recently, the three-axis magnetic flux leakage high-definition detector was slowly removed from the receiving cylinder at Baishawan Station; once it was confirmed to be undamaged, enthusiastic applause erupted on site! The inspection of the underwater pipeline in Hangzhou Bay was a success! This is the most complex internal inspection of a long-distance crude oil pipeline conducted in China to date, featuring the largest length, largest pipe diameter, and the widest range of inspection items. It fills a technical gap in this field in China, and it is of great significance for meeting the requirements regarding the integrity management of oil and gas pipelines, for extending the practice of pipeline integrity management from land-based pipelines to underwater ones, and for ensuring that companies fulfill their responsibilities regarding safety and environmental protection. At the same time, this inspection also provided experience for conducting other underwater pipeline inspections in the future. The offshore crude oil pipeline tested this time in the Hangzhou Bay is 53.5 kilometers long and has a diameter of 762 mm; it is currently the longest and largest-diameter offshore pipeline in China. The Hangzhou Bay is one of the three most complex sea areas in the world, characterized by severe changes in sedimentation and erosion, frequent fluctuations in the seabed topography. Coupled with its developed economy and numerous shipping routes, the safe operation of pipelines in this area as well as the protection of the marine environment face significant challenges. It is therefore essential to conduct safety inspections and assessments for long-distance crude oil pipelines beneath the seabed in this region. Sinopec Pipeline Storage and Transportation Co., Ltd. revised the technical plan on multiple occasions, conducting simulations of various sea conditions to carry out span evaluation analyses, bottom stability checks, third-party failure assessments, and quantification of pull-test data using finite element analysis and regression analysis, all in order to ensure that the inspection is successful from the first attempt. The inspection of long-distance crude oil pipelines underwater in the Hangzhou Bay presents significant technical challenges and high safety risks. In 2009, Sinopec listed this task as a major scientific and technological innovation project, assigning Sinopec Pipeline Storage and Transportation Co., Ltd. to carry out the actual work. Sinopec Long-Distance Oil and Gas Pipeline Inspection Co., Ltd., which is affiliated with Pipeline Storage and Transportation Co., Ltd., took into account the complex sea conditions along the submarine pipelines in the Hangzhou Bay area, and was the first in China to develop high-definition three-axis magnetic flux leakage detectors, inertial navigation measurement systems, and pipeline stress detection systems based on weak magnetism technology – all of which are owned by Sinopec and feature full intellectual property rights. It can detect defects such as corrosion and mechanical scratches with a minimum length of 5 millimeters and a minimum depth of 0.5 millimeters, and can accurately locate the positions of these defects. It is also capable of detecting abnormal stress conditions in submarine pipelines as well as pipeline drift. Leakage signals are captured through vortex sound waves; similar to high-precision radar, the intensity of the defects can be determined through detection and subsequent calculations. Inertial navigation technology is an application of military technology in civilian fields; it can provide information on the centerline of pipelines, determine the displacement of submarine pipelines, and locate the latitude and longitude of pipeline defects, thereby improving the accuracy of defect localization. Next, Sinopec Long-Distance Oil and Gas Pipeline Inspection Co., Ltd. will promptly conduct integrity assessments based on the internal inspection data, including the remaining strength of the pipelines, repair factors, the progression and causes of corrosion, and their remaining service life. It will also carry out research on techniques for locating defects in submarine pipelines and carrying out repairs, with the goal of developing a comprehensive system for managing the integrity of submarine pipelines. In fact, Sinopec has been making continuous breakthroughs in numerous technologies, staying at the forefront of the world. In September this year, Luoyang Petrochemical successfully developed the polypropylene resin PPH-Y35X specifically for high-end non-woven fabrics, filling a gap in the domestic market for such applications. In August, Sinopec Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company put into operation an industrial production line for dry-spinning high-performance polyethylene fibers, breaking the foreign technological monopoly and making China the third country to master this technology and achieve its industrialization. Through independent research and development, Great Wall Lubricants has broken the blockade imposed by developed countries on aerospace lubrication technology. It has developed over 50 types of aerospace lubrication products across 7 categories, which are used in various core systems of Chinese spacecraft, providing continuous lubrication support for projects such as the Shenzhou and Chang’e missions as well as the Tiangong space station. (Original title: “Conquered!”) This technology is no longer a monopoly of Europe and the United States! 》。 Edited by Zhou Feng)