Transneft Far East completed inline inspection of ESPO-II oil pipeline

Декабря 03, 2015

Transneft Far East, LLC completed the inline inspection of stage II of Eastern Siberia – Pacific Ocean pipeline system (ESPO-II PS). Its length from Skovorodino pump station (Amur Region) to Specialized Sea Oil Port in Kozmino (Primorsky Region) is 2,047 km.

Objective of the comprehensive inspection is monitoring of the line portion condition in ESPO-II oil pipeline to maintain its safe operation.

A high-tech inspection took place in the period from February to November, 2015 using two specialized tools - defectoscopes. The first defectoscope is used for acquisition of data on possible pipeline dents, restrictions, shifts, unacceptable bending radius and depth of the trunk oil pipeline burial. Main goal of the second inline inspection tool is to scan the line portion for microracks, pores and weld defects.

No defects were identified in ESPO-II PS according to the results of the inspection that took place during 2015.

Inspection equipment used by Transneft Far East, LLC allows not only receiving information on intactness of the pipeline system at the moment but also forecasting risks, which may occur in its further operation.

Transneft Far East, LLC conducts various examinations of the line portion of Eastern Siberia – Pacific Ocean oil pipeline every year. Inline inspection of the pipeline system using a combined, random orientation defectoscope is planned for 2016. Unlike the tools of the previous versions, it is provided with the latest ultrasonic inspection facilities and is able to describe defects in more details.