Pipeline geohazards can be naturally occurring, human-triggered, or construction-related threats to pipeline integrity. Examples of geohazard triggers are weather, outside forces, and the earth’s movements. These forces exert stresses on a pipeline, causing it to shift and bear additional stress that can damage it over time.

The Fiberbuilt IMU Inspection Pigs are easy-to-use, single-body inspection pigs that launch and receive like a standard cleaning pig. They collect precise data to calculate bending strain and track pipeline movement. The Fiberbuilt IMU Pig’s simple approach enables it to be self-deployed by the operator. Its modest configuration allows pipeline operators to gather IMU data easily and efficiently, without the need for third-party crews, AGMs, or pre-inspection preparation.

IMU data has historically been incorporated into ILI combo tool platforms. However, the high cost and infrequency of in-line inspections using these advanced combo tools limits the use of IMU inspections for more frequent geohazard monitoring.

In short, as often as you like. The economics of the IMU Pig allows it to be run at much more frequent intervals compared to conventional ILI combo inspections. In between scheduled full-scale ILI combo inspections, the Fiberbuilt IMU pig collects important positional data that helps identify changes in the geological landscape.

Proactively monitoring pipeline movement and bending strain are important variables within a comprehensive geohazard management program because they are primary indicators of how a pipeline has shifted in response to geological forces.

Any pipeline—even pipelines that may have been classified by operators as “unpiggable” due to their size, configuration, or known restrictions—can undergo Fiberbuilt IMU Inspection.

The Fiberbuilt IMU platform allows operators to conduct inspection runs independently, without the need for third parties, AGMs, or line preparation. While many complex tools can require flow adjustments to perform effectively, Fiberbuilt IMU Pigs travels through dirty pipelines without adjusting the existing flow. In fact, as easily as an operator can deploy a standard cleaning pig, they can deploy Fiberbuilt’s highly accurate IMU platform.

The Fiberbuilt IMU System correlates bending strain precisely to measured distance using the locations of welds and other pipeline features.

Standard reporting is available within 30 calendar days. Expedited reporting is available for a premium charge.

Nominal pipelines 2 inches and above, all the way up to 60 inches.

Rather than a physical odometer, we use sensors embedded within the sensing electronic package to measure the velocity of the pig in the pipeline.

The output of the Fiberbuilt bending strain solution has been verified against incumbent technologies from all the major companies. All of our bending strain data has been compared and verified against all of those other data sets.

The Fiberbuilt IMU systems are capable of measuring very small pipeline trajectory changes. Strain change detection thresholds are set before the analysis phase for each pipeline.  A typical strain change detection threshold is +/- 0.04% total bending strain.

Strain change detection is based on the measured strain difference, extent (or length) and shape of the strain feature.  Custom change detection thresholds may be set for the analysis to match your existing integrity programs, or the analysis team can work with your integrity department to set the change detection thresholds to match your integrity goals and pipeline conditions.

The Fiberbuilt IMU tools are robust single-body tools designed to inspect operating pipelines with minimal line preparation.  Data quality degradation is detected in the analysis.

The Fiberbuilt IMU tools are designed to operate between 0.3 and 10 meters per second (1 and 30 feet per second).  The ideal velocity range for the tools is between 1 and 4 meters per second (between 3 and 12 feet per second or 2 and 8 miles per hour).

If flow control or adjustment is available, the ideal velocity for the Fiberbuilt IMU tools is between 1 and 4 meters per second (between 3 and 12 feet per second or 2 and 8 miles per hour).

Fiberbuilt field personnel are available to assist your existing field operations personnel with deploying the IMU tools.  Only one Fiberbuilt technician will be mobilized to your site to assist your existing field crews with deploying the IMU tools and to answer any questions they may have.

 Fiberbuilt can provide your existing integrity consultants with the pipeline trajectory, bending strain, and operational data they need to evaluate the integrity of your pipeline.  If you don’t have 3^rd part consultants, Fiberbuilt can provide bending strain analysis and interpretation to give you the insights you need to assess the geohazard movement related integrity threats to your pipeline.

The small operational footprint provides a reduced-cost IMU inspection platform.  Inspection and reporting costs are determined on the basis of pipeline length, analysis and reporting requirements, and technician mobilization requirements.  Contact us today for a quote to inspect your pipeline and provide the analysis you need.

Standard-life tool configurations are 36 hours run time, and extended range tools have a 72 hour battery life.  Special tool configurations are available when inspection times exceed these limits.