Transient Tests for Checking the Trieste Subsea Pipeline: Diving into Fault Detection

Abstract

Fault detection in subsea pipelines is a difficult problem for several reasons, and one of the most important is the inaccessibility of the system. This criticality can be overcome by using transient test-based techniques. Such an approach is based on the execution of safe transients that result in small over pressures (i.e., on the order of a few meters of water column). In our companion paper, the procedure involving the transient tests was described in detail. This paper analyses the results of the field tests carried out and identifies wall deterioration in some sections of the pipeline. Attention is focused on the numerical procedure based on the joint use of a 1-D numerical model simulating transients in the pressurized flow and analytical relationships and providing the transient response of anomalies such as leaks and wall deterioration. The results obtained are essentially confirmed by the survey carried out by divers.