In-line Inspection Systems Qualification

API STANDARD 1163

THIRD EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2021

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Contents

1. Scope. 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 1

   1. Terms and Definitions 1

   2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 11

4. Systems Qualification Process 11

   1. General 11

   2. Personnel Qualification 13

   3. Operator and Service Provider Responsibilities 13

5. ILI System Selection 13

   1. General 13

   2. Inspection Goals and Objectives 13

   3. Physical and Operational Characteristics and Constraints 14

   4. Selection of an ILI System 15

   5. Performance Specification 16

6. Qualification of Performance Specifications 16

   1. General 16

   2. Performance Specifications 16

   3. Qualification Requirements 24

   4. Documentation and Other Requirements 26

7. System Operational Verification 27

   1. General 27

   2. Project Requirements 27

   3. Pre-inspection Requirements 29

   4. Inspection Requirements 31

   5. Post-inspection Requirements 32

   6. ILI Data Quality Assurance and Data Analysis 33

   7. ILI System Verification Cumulative Assessment 38

   8. RCA for Failed Runs 38

8. System Results Validation 39

   1. Introduction 39

   2. Evaluation of Inspection System Results 41

9. Reporting Requirements 59

   1. General 59

   2. DQA 60

   3. Report Contents 60

   4. Reporting Formats 62

   5. Data Deliverable 63

   6. Quality Control of Data Delivered 63

   7. Discussion of Results 65

   8. Integrity Data Management Integration 65

   9. Example Spreadsheet for Data Delivery 65

10. Quality Management System 66

    1. System Scope 66

    2. Quality System Documentation 67

10.3 QC 69

1. Continual Improvement 69

2. Quality System Review 70

Annex A (informative) Performance Specification Example Template 71

Annex B (informative) Sample On-site Report for Caliper and MFL Inspection Tool Runs 76

Annex C (informative) Estimating the Performance Specifications from a Comparison of Individual Validation Measurements 79

Annex D (informative) Example Inspection Results Report 91

Annex E (informative) Example Validation Dig Documentation 95

Annex F (informative) Example: On-site Feature Location/Validation Activities 97

Annex G (informative) Supplementary Performance Criteria and Methodologies 100

Bibliography 104

Figures

1. Inspection Terminology 2

2. ILI Process Flow Diagram 12

3. Dimensional Classes for Metal Loss Indications 18

4. POD Function vs Metal Loss Depth 21

5. Comparison with Records 42

6. Level 1 Validation 44

7. ILI to ILI Comparison 45

8a Level 2 Validation Approach 47

8b Level 2 Validation Details 48

1. ILI to Field Comparison 52

2. Example Unity Plot of Two Independent Sets of Measurements 54

1. Unity Plot Showing the 80 % Statistical Tolerance Interval with 95 % Confidence and the Corresponding Range of Field Depths Expected for a 50 % WT Reported ILI Depth 85

2. Unity Plot Showing a Sample of 50 Plausible Regression Lines, the 80 % Credible Interval Bounds, and the Corresponding Range of Field Depths Expected for a 2.5 mm Reported

ILI Depth 86

E.1 Metal Loss Profile for Interaction Criteria 96

1. Feature Location Example 98

2. “Gap” Interpolation Example 98

G.1 Example ILI System Demonstrating Relationship of POD, POI, and Sizing Accuracy with POR 100

Tables

1. Suggested Operator and Service Provider Accountabilities 13

2. Characterizing Metal Loss PODs—Example Depth Detection Thresholds 21

3. Characterizing Cracking PODs—Example Depth Detection Thresholds 21

4. Example of Characterizing Cracking POIs 22

5. Classification of Anomaly Matches 49

6. POI Example 50

7. Example Agreement Test of Two Independent Sets of Measurements 54

1. Features and POIs 71

2. Location Accuracy of Features 73

3. Detection and Sizing Accuracy in 90° Bends 73

4. Detection and Sizing Accuracies for Dents and Ovalities 73

5. Horizontal and Vertical Accuracy of Pipeline Location as a Function of Marker Distance

   and Certainty 73

6. Example PODs and Sizing Tolerances for Metal Loss (at a Specified Confidence Level) ... 74 A.7 Example of Crack Detection Capabilities 74

1. Example of Sizing Accuracy for Crack or Crack-like Anomalies 75

2. Example of Impact to Performance for Crack or Crack-like Anomalies 75

C.1 Tool Selection Check 80

G.1 Expanded Identification Table 102

Introduction

This standard provides requirements for qualification of in-line inspection systems used in gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. The standard facilitates the following.

1. Inspection service providers make clear, uniform, and verifiable statements describing in-line inspection system performance.

2. Pipeline operators select an inspection system suitable for the conditions under which the inspection will be conducted. This includes, but is not limited to, the pipeline material characteristics, pipeline operating conditions, and types of anomalies expected to be detected and characterized.

3. The in-line inspection system operates properly under the conditions specified.

   
   

4. Inspection procedures are followed before, during, and after the inspection.

5. Anomalies are described using a common nomenclature, as described in this standard and in referenced documents.

   
   

6. The reported data and inspection results provide the expected accuracy and quality in a consistent format.

Users of this standard should be aware that further or differing requirements may be needed for some applications. Nothing in this standard is intended to inhibit the use of inspection systems or engineering solutions that are not covered by the standard. This may be particularly applicable where there is innovative developing technology. For these technologies, this standard may be used, provided applicable variations from the standard are identified and documented.

Personnel and equipment used to perform in-line inspections and analyze the results shall be qualified according to this standard and its companions, ASNT ILI-PQ, In-line Inspection Personnel Qualification and Certification and NACE SP0102, In-line Inspection of Pipelines. This standard is an umbrella document covering all aspects of in-line inspection systems, incorporating the requirements of ASNT ILI-PQ and NACE SP0102 by reference.

This standard is not technology specific. It accommodates present and future technologies used for in-line inspection systems. This standard is performance based and provides requirements for qualification processes. It does not, however, define how to meet those requirements. This standard defines the documentation of processes for in-line inspection system qualifications. One objective of this standard is to foster continual improvement in the quality and accuracy of in-line inspections. Wherever possible, this standard utilizes existing terms and definitions from other applicable standards. Section 3 provides definitions of terms.

The use of an in-line inspection system to manage the integrity of pipelines requires close cooperation and interaction between the provider of the inspection service (service provider) and the beneficiary of the service (operator). This standard provides requirements that will enable service providers and operators to clearly define the areas of cooperation required and thus ensure the satisfactory outcome of the inspection process. Whereas service providers have the responsibility to identify in-line inspection system capabilities, their proper use, and application, operators bear the ultimate responsibility to:

1. identify specific risks (threats) to be investigated;

   
   

2. choose the proper inspection technology;

   
   

3. maintain operating conditions within performance specification limits;

4. confirm inspection results.

Following the standard provides a consistent means of assessing, using, and validating results from in-line inspection systems such that acceptable inspection results are obtained.

In-line Inspection Systems Qualification

1. Scope

   
   

   This standard covers the qualification, selection, reporting, verification, validation, and use of in-line inspection (ILI) systems for onshore and offshore steel gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. This includes, but is not limited to, tethered, self-propelled, or free-flowing systems for detecting metal loss, cracks, mechanical damage, pipeline geometries, and pipeline location or mapping. The standard applies to both existing and developing technologies.

   
   

   This standard is an umbrella document that provides performance-based requirements for ILI systems, including procedures, personnel, equipment, and associated software.

   
   

2. Normative References

   
   

   The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

   
   

   API Recommended Practice 1176, Assessment and Management of Cracking in Pipelines API Recommended Practice 1183, Assessment and Management of Pipeline Dents ASNT ILI-PQ 1, In-line Inspection Personnel Qualification and Certification

   NACE SP0102 2, In-line Inspection of Pipelines

   
   

   CEPA 3, Metal Loss Inline Inspection Tool Validation Guidance Document, First Edition

   
   

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations

3.1 Terms and Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1.1

aboveground marker AGM

A spatial reference point that is identifiable as a distinct feature in the ILI.

NOTE This may also include the ability to detect and record the passage of an ILI tool.

3.1.2

actionable anomaly

An anomaly that may exceed acceptable limits based on the operator’s anomaly and pipeline data analysis (see Figure 1).

1. American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, Ohio 43228, https://www.asnt.org.

2. NACE International (now Association for Materials Protection and Performance), 15835 Park Ten Place, Houston, Texas 77084, https://ampp.org.

3. Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, 1110, 505 – 3rd Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3E6, Canada, https://cepa.com/en.

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