Electromagnetic Guided Wave Technologies for …events.nace.org/conferences/ecda2009/images_presentations/RGeib.pdf · Electromagnetic Guided Wave Technologies for Addressing Casings

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Electromagnetic Guided Wave Technologies for Addressing Casings

The Successes and Challenges

Robert Geib, Chief Operating Officer

Profile Technologies, Inc.

NACE ECDA SEMINAR 2009Houston, Texas

January 27, 2009


• Understanding Electromagnetic Guided Wave (EMW-C) Technology

• Guidedwave Inspection Methods– Similarities and Differences

• Annulus Inspection with EMW

• Applications for ECDA

• Successes and Challenges

Overview


• The EMW-C is a patented inspection process for cased and thermally insulated pipe.

• It is a long range electromagnetic scanning method that has been developed and refined for over 15 years.

• Similar to RADAR, electromagnetic waves (EMW) are transmitted and received allowing location and identification of materials and conditions.

• EMW fills the annulus between the carrier pipe and casing or jacket and travels lengthwise to the end of casing.

EMW-C

Background


• Long range detection of anomalies and corrosion indicators:

‒ Corrosion Product

‒ Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)

‒ Electrolytes (water, soil)

‒ Metallic Shorts

‒ Wet Insulation and Voids

• Location of mechanical structures or deformations:

‒ Spacer location

‒ Carrier pipe sag / change in offset

‒ Crushing of the casing.

• Down/Upstream location and length of a single or multiple anomalies within a cased or jacketed section.

• Characterization of the magnitude of the anomaly based on data and equivalency models.

• Continuous or periodic monitoring to detect changes over time.

‒ Permanent connectors may be installed.

EMW-C

Current Uses


• Connection is made to the carrier and casing

(or jacket) using coaxial connectors and

cables.

• A pulse generator creates electromagnetic

waves (EMW) in the annulus (Dielectric).

• The casing and carrier pipe guide the waves,

which travel through the annulus and through

the dielectric material(s) in the space between.

• The waves are reflected back to the equipment

from material changes in the annulus.

• Changes in dielectric material (rust, water,

spacers, wax) are seen as variations of

amplitude and polarity of reflections.

• Lengthwise distance to reflectors (anomalies)

are determined by time of return.

Coaxial Feed Lines

Pulse Generator Data Collector

Voltage Divider

Casing

Dielectric(Air, Water, Petrolatum, Polyurethane Insulation, etc.)

Carrier Pipe

EMW-CThe Process

EMW Direction


EMW-C

Non-Intrusive Connections

Buried Casing Connectors


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EMW-CExample of Corrosion Growth

Detection

Data showing change as corrosion increases.

Consecutive data traces with increased corrosion at 10 foot mark.


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Short at 7.95 ft

Short at 52.3 ft

Short at South End

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EMW-C

Detection of Shorts

Data showing various pipe to casing short locations.

(Individual data traces overlaid).


Method Wave Type Wave Source Waveguide

LRUT, GULMechanical -Acoustic

Piezoelectric Transducers

Pipe cross-section

MsSMechanical -Acoustic

MagnetostrictiveSensors

Pipe cross-section

EMW-C™ ElectromagneticPulse Transmitter / Coaxial Connectors

Annular space between pipe and casing

Guided Wave Inspection Methods-

Similarities and Differences

Comparison of Guided Wave Inspection Methods

Cross – Sectional view of pipe and casing. The dashed sections show the waveguide and “inspection area” for each method.

LRUT, GUL, MsS EMW-C


• Though this technology is technically a guided wave method, the characteristics of GWUT do not necessarily apply.

• EMW-C uses electromagnetic waves which are not affected by bends and turns and attenuation is caused by (certain) materials in casing rather than coating on carrier.

EMW-C

Additional Points


• Using EMW to Inspect the Annulus provides unique information about the environment and corrosion conditions inside the casing.‒ Corrosion Product

‒ Trapped Water

‒ Electrolytic Contact

‒ Casing to Carrier Shorts

• Volumetric Component to the Data‒ Wax fill levels can be verified and monitored

‒ Working with GTI on procedure development

Annulus Inspection with

EMW


• For Pre-Assessment -• Collect otherwise “unknown” data about casing construction

• Are Seals working as expected or allowing earth/water inside?

• Are there shorts, if so how far in?

• Are there spacers / are they where expected?

• For Indirect Inspection -• Identify locations of possible corrosion / water / shorts – Corrosion

Likelihood

• Can work with other GWUT tools as two complimentary tools

• Where EMW identifies corrosion product or water does GWUT find metal loss?

• Where EMW identifies as short does GWUT show an indication?

Applications for ECDA


• Some Successes -• Have been able to inspect full length of most casings from one end.

Both ends for shorted or casing packed with debris.

• Providing data otherwise unavailable – locations of water, spacers, and electrolytic contact inside the casing.

• Working with operators and GWUT contractors to compare data findings for ‘complimentary’ requirements.

• Working with GTI to develop wax fill detection.

• Some Challenges-• Shorts near launch can attenuate quickly – look from both ends

• Pipe/Casing offset at launch location can limit number of connectors

• Communicating the complimentary differences betweenEMW-C and GWUT.

Successes and Challenges


Thank You!

For Answers please contact:

Robert Geib, [email protected](888)-501-7117

Profile Technologies, Inc.2 Park Avenue, Suite 201Manhasset, NY 11030

www.profiletech.net

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Documents

Electromagnetic Guided Wave Technologies for …events.nace.org/conferences/ecda2009/images_presentations/RGeib.pdf · Electromagnetic Guided Wave Technologies for Addressing Casings