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Pipelines has since performed “reeling tests,” to see if the electronics, within the pipeline, would survive the reeling process. “Pipes are stretched and deformed during such tests, and because the electronics are vulnerable to bending, some of the sen- sors were destroyed,” says SINTEF Project

Manager Ole Øystein Knudsen. “But now that we know what happened we can make some small modifcations to better protect the electronics.”

The next step for SmartPipe is pilot phase.

According to Knudsen, an American oil company is interested in using the tech- nology in a trial. “The company contacted us following the Gulf of Mexico accident,”

Knudsen says. “Initially, they started their own project because they anticipated the future introduction of stricter pipeline monitoring

SmartPipe launched in 2006, in collaboration with Bredero Shaw, Force Technology, Siemens regulations. But when they discovered that Photo from SINTEF.

Subsea and ebm-papst.

SmartPipe had come further down the road, concentrations may occur and it may be Another important consideration is the they contacted us. We think this could be a some time before they are discovered. This monitoring of free-span sections of pipeline. commercial winner.”

The researchers see a number of benefts may mean that a pipeline has to be decom- In areas of undulating seabed, free-span of using SmartPipe. Since many pipelines missioned earlier than planned. Current pipe- sections may start to swing in response to also carry produced water from the reser- line condition monitoring by means of inspec- marine currents. “The new pipes mean that voir, they are vulnerable to corrosion. This is tions and checks is also expensive. The new we can measure fatigue development and counteracted by adding small concentrations system will make it possible to identify errors thus get accurate estimates of pipeline life- • of inhibitor substances. However, errors in at an early stage and make adjustments. times,” Knudsen says.

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