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Recently, the in - line inspection team from T-ALL Inspection Group brought good news—the in - line inspection operation, utilizing foam eddy current technology, for the natural gas pipeline of the Guanghui trunk line under PetroChina Southern Pipeline Network Company has been successfully completed after several days of meticulous preparation, close cross - unit collaboration, and efficient implementation. This marks the first in - line inspection of this pipeline since its segmental commissioning in 2012 and 2014. It not only comprehensively grasped the actual condition of this natural gas pipeline stretching from Huizhou to Zengcheng but also demonstrated T-ALL Inspection's professional competence and technological responsibility in the field of natural gas pipeline in - line inspection through solid technical practice results. This provides strong support for PetroChina Southern Pipeline Network Company in ensuring regional energy security and lays a solid foundation for the stable supply of natural gas in South China.
Since the pipeline had not undergone any in - line inspection since its commissioning, potential risks such as corrosion, dents, and weld abnormalities inside the pipeline urgently needed to be precisely identified. The foam eddy current in - line inspection technology selected for this inspection was a customized detection solution tailored to the actual situation of this "veteran" energy trunk line. This technology relies on the customized foam eddy current detector developed by T-ALL Inspection. The detector, using well - adapted foam as a carrier, can smoothly pass through deformation areas where the pipeline outer diameter is reduced by up to 35% in straight pipe sections. Equipped with 88 sensors (including 880 detection channels), it enables 360° comprehensive coverage detection of the pipe wall, accurately identifying hidden dangers such as metal loss, weld defects, and dents inside the pipe body. It also simultaneously records key data such as the location, depth, and scope of the defects. In addition, the detector is equipped with an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that can collect real - time geographical information about the pipeline centerline, providing powerful digital support for subsequent pipeline displacement monitoring and integrity management. Meanwhile, during the pre - inspection phase, the medium - density foam pig played a crucial role. It can pass through deformation areas where the pipeline outer diameter is reduced by up to 50%, efficiently cleaning impurities inside the pipeline and creating favorable conditions for the normal operation of the detection equipment. The entire inspection process achieved "non - stop inspection and uninterrupted supply," minimizing the impact on energy supply along the route.
At the job site, T-ALL Inspection and PetroChina Southern Pipeline Network Company responded promptly and immediately formed a cross - unit special task force. PetroChina Southern Pipeline Network Company fully leveraged its role in overall coordination, precisely adjusting the flow direction of pipeline media, scientifically coordinating gas volume scheduling, and strictly controlling operating pressure to safeguard the orderly conduct of the inspection operation. T-ALL Inspection focused on technical implementation, quickly assembled a professional team, and carried out work such as pipeline route survey and marking, pigging and inspection operations, and full - process tracking and monitoring in an organized manner. During the operation, both parties worked closely together, synchronously implementing steps such as nitrogen replacement, pressure monitoring, and combustible gas detection. They repeatedly checked each step to ensure the safe and efficient progress of the operation.
With the successful completion of this in - line inspection, T-ALL Inspection not only assisted in comprehensively obtaining key data such as pipeline body corrosion, geometric deformation, and weld status for the first time, laying a solid scientific foundation for the formulation of subsequent "one - pipeline - one - policy" maintenance and repair plans and the elimination of potential risks; but also accumulated valuable experience in areas such as the first in - line inspection of long - distance natural gas pipelines, operations under special valve chamber (Tonghu Valve Chamber gas injection process) conditions, and low - flow condition regulation. This provides a replicable practical example for the integrity management of similar natural gas pipelines in South China.
With its professional and superb technology and efficient collaborative capabilities, T-ALL Inspection has fully demonstrated its strong strength and firm commitment in the field of natural gas pipeline inspection through this project. In the future, T-ALL Inspection will continue to uphold its professional spirit and contribute more to safeguarding national energy security.
