Objective
The aim of the project was to develop a computer system to aid subsea pipeline operators in the assessment of the pipeline condition, and to estimate its remaining useful life. Such a computer system will assist in reducing maintenance costs, improve safety and extend the useful operating life of submarine pipelines.
The project relied upon the application of the latest technologies to analyse pipeline inspection data and flow condition measurements, produce grahical outputs, model operator expertise in diagnosing the pipeline condition, and advise on further actions.
New approaches were adopted to combine these requirements into a useful working system.
Engineering expertise has been acquired for various aspects of subsea pipeline integrity monitoring. Technical engineering notes have been produced on the following topics :
. Pipeline support evaluation.
. External corrosion evaluation.
. Pipeline stability evaluation.
. External damage evaluation.
. Pressure testing and leakage evaluation.
. Pipeline condition assessment.
. Engineering and environmental data requirements
A survey of pipeline operator's and inspection contractors' pipeline integrity monitoring practices was carried out which identifies the most applicable areas for computerisation.
The coded program modules are listed below with the language or shell used.
. Pipeline stability assessment module coded in PC XiPlus shell.
. Pipeline external corrosion assessment module coded in PC XiPlus.
. Pipe free-span assessment module coded in PC PROLOG programming language.
. Integrated engineering analysis of pipeline stability, mechanical damage, concrete coating loss and cathodic protection coded in Leonardo PC expert system shell. Inspection, maintenance and repair advice partially developed for mechanical damage. Modules are not readily demonstratable.
. Demonstrator for pipeline internal corrosion condition assessment coded in Smalltalk PC object oriented programming environment.
The APOLLO workstation was originally chosen for program development over the PC to make use of the state of the art software engineering environment DSEE, to utilize the high resolution graphics and superior user interface capabilities, and to use the UNIX operating system. However, no suitable expert system shells were available on the APOLLO so a port of ESSAI, and later Leonardo, expert system shells was commissioned. This work was never completed due to hardware and software problems, and closure of Alcatel's UK branch.
Consequently, all development has had to be done on the PC which has shown severe limitations of memory capacity, speed, poor user interfacing andweak data management facilities and database interfaces, for an engineering project of this size.
Programming languages have shown the drawbacks of longer development times and future maintenance complications. However, the adoption of object oriented programming techniques for Stage III showed faster prototype development times with inherent data protection and re-usable code generation.
The project was made up of three stages. At the end of each stage, an operational version of the expert system was developed, for demonstration to pipeline operators. Each version was used as a building block for the next version and so defined the scope of development for the next stage.
Stage I was concerned with defining the data requirements; capturing engineering knowledge in the form of technical notes; evaluating programming languages and expert system shells for their suitability to engineering expert system applications; implementing pipe stability, pipe support condition and corrosion modules for demonstrations and to assess the suitability of the language or shell used. The expert system modules developed in Stage I are concerned with pipe stability, pipe support condition and corrosion.
In Stage II, the design for engineering knowledge bases were produced based on the Stage I technical notes. An integrated expert system with extended functionality was developed which addresses pipe stability, cathodic protection and external damage.
The system interfaces with conceptual operator data files and recommends possible further remedial actions. The final design included identification of potential problems, analysis of these areas and recommendation for remedial action.
Stage III was specifically concerned with internal corrosion which was found to be an area of particular interest to pipeline operators. The expert system module developed in this stage calculates corrosion rates and corresponding material losses.
The functions of this system are similar to those developed in the previous stages but also include graphical outputs and hypertext explanations. The Stage III system has a prototype version for demonstration to pipeline operators.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
TW18 3DT STAINES
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.