Bi-directional pipeline inspection

In many pipelines, the older the more, there are no or only limited facilities to launch or receive ILI tools. 

3P Services introduced the concept of free-swimming bi-directional inspection tools to the industry more than 20 years ago. Bidirectional pumping and tethered operation are used to return the tool after inspection. 

With this technology 3P Services records measurements while traveling in both directions. Therefore, a double inspection coverage is achieved. This supports the data analysis process and brings a powerful boost to the confidence in the accuracy of the inspection data. 

Typical applications are for example coastal tanker loading and unloading terminals where the offshore end of the pipeline ends on the sea floor or offshore flowlines, where platform risers may not be passed by mechanical steel bodied tools (e.g. due to sensitive flexible risers). 

3P’s key advantages

• all ILI technologies offered by 3P can be used in bi-directional applications - from 3” to 48”. 

• bi-directional combo tools can be assembled with basically all inspection technologies offered by 3P.

• no restriction to pipeline length

• no restriction to the number of bends present in the line

• short radius bends, usually down to 1.5 D, and back-to-back bend combinations are not obstacles