A Method for Detecting Corrosion Defects in Buried Pipelines

Defect detection cannot be implemented to many in-service oil and gas pipelines due to the restrictions of structural characteristics of pipelines, terrain environment and laying conditions, resulting in the safety risk of the entire pipeline system. In order to achieve the detection of defects in pipelines, non-contact magnetic detection technology was used to detect defects in the entire pipelines. And then the results tested by no-contact magnetic detection technology were verified by qualitative analysis of magnetic memory detection technology and quantitative analysis of ultrasonic thickness measurement for excavated pipelines. In this way, a fast and efficient defect detection method system for buried pipelines was formed. The engineering practice showed that this detection method can be used to defect detection under restricted conditions and in non-excavation state of buried pipelines, to accurately locate the corrosion defect sections, to identify the damage level and to improve the detection efficiency and economic benefits.