Effective area metal loss clustering

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions configured to be executed by a processor, the instructions comprising instructions to:

• identify, via the processor executing the instructions, a first prospective cluster related to a first feature of the pipeline and a second prospective cluster related to a second feature of the pipeline;
• combine, via the processor executing the instructions, the first and the second prospective cluster into a resultant cluster when a critical area comprises the first and the second prospective cluster, wherein the critical area corresponds to an area of the pipeline with a lower burst pressure than surrounding areas of the pipeline;
• and
• generate, via the processor executing the instructions, an indication of the resultant cluster.

An electronic device configured to assess features of a pipeline, comprising:

• a processor operatively coupled to a memory, wherein the processor is configured to:
• identify via the processor a first prospective cluster related to a first feature of the pipeline and a second prospective cluster related to a second feature of the pipeline;
• combine via the processor the first and the second prospective cluster when the critical area includes the first and the second prospective cluster to form a resultant cluster, wherein the critical area corresponds to an area of the pipeline with a lower burst pressure than surrounding areas of the pipeline;
• and
• generate via the processor an indication of the resultant cluster.