# US 11,029,283 B2 · Pipe damage assessment system and method

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- Number: US 11,029,283 B2
- Document ID: US11029283B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/027,124
- Filed: 2014-10-03
- Published: 2016-09-01
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-03
- Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
- Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
- Inventors: Shunfeng Zheng; Zhanke Liu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029283B2

## CPC

- G01N 27/83: by investigating stray magnetic fields
- F17D 5/06: using electric or acoustic means
- G01M 3/40: by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges
- G01M 5/0033: {by determining damage, crack or wear}
- G01N 21/8806: {Specially adapted optical and illumination features}
- G01N 27/82: for investigating the presence of flaws
- G01N 27/902: {by moving the sensors}
- G01N 27/9006: {Details, e.g. in the structure or functioning of sensors}
- G01N 27/9026: {by moving the material}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- F17D: PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES (pumps or compressors F04; fluid dynamics F15D; valves or the like F16K; pipes, laying pipes, supports, joints, branches, repairing, work on the entire line, accessories F16L; steam traps or the like F16T; fluid-pressure electric cables H01B9/06)
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A technique facilitates examination of a tubing string. A sensor is mounted to monitor a pipe for a defect or defects. The sensor outputs data on the defect to a data processing system which identifies the type and severity of the defect. The data processing system also may be used to track the defect to determine changes to the defect during, for example, subsequent uses of the pipe. Based on the evaluation of the defect, recommendations are provided with respect to future use or handling of the pipe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for examining a tubing string, comprising:
moving a pipe of the tubing string relative to a sensor;
using the sensor to monitor the pipe for a defect;
outputting data on the defect to a data processing system;
identifying the defect by finding a matching benchmark defect in a defect database;
tracking the defect to determine changes to the defect over time based on the data output by the sensor; and
automatically changing an operation using the pipe based on identifying and tracking of the defect.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises using the sensor in a nondestructive testing (NDT) system.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein using comprises using the sensor to monitor magnetic flux leakage.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying the type and severity of the defect based on the data output by the sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method as recited in claim 4, wherein identifying comprises determining a geometry of the defect.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method as recited in claim 4, wherein identifying comprises determining whether the defect crosses a severity threshold.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method as recited in claim 4, wherein identifying comprises identifying the nature of an unknown defect.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein tracking comprises capturing a list of defects from a pipe inspection job in a defect library.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising matching a new defect from the list of defects with stored defect data in a defect library.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising tracking the number of bending cycles experienced by the pipe.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising tracking the pumping pressures experienced by the pipe.

### Claim 12 (depends on 4)

The method as recited in claim 4, wherein identifying comprises identifying the type and severity of the defect in real time during an operation using the pipe.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein changing comprises automatically changing portions of a coiled tubing operation.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising predicting the growth of the defect.

### Claim 15

A method, comprising:
moving a pipe relative to a sensor, the sensor positioned along a circumference of the pipe;
using the sensor to monitor the pipe for the presence of defects;
outputting data from the sensor to a data processing system having a processor;
storing a standard defect database in a memory accessible by the processor;
providing the standard defect database with defect data entries which categorize defects by at least one of the following: orientation, dimension, defect type, defect severity threshold, and the mechanism causing the defect;
updating the standard defect database as new defect data becomes available;
processing the data from the sensor regarding defects via the data processing system according to an algorithm to match the defects against defect entries in the standard defect database;
determining the type and severity of the defect; and
using the data processing system to automatically take an action with respect to future use of the pipe based on the match of defects and the determination of the type and severity of the defects.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method as recited in claim 15, wherein using comprises using a magnetic flux leakage sensor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method as recited in claim 15, wherein determining the type and severity comprises determining a size of the defect.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method as recited in claim 15, wherein determining the type and severity comprises determining whether the pipe remains within a safe operational envelope.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising tracking changes to the defects over the life of the pipe.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the pipe comprises coiled tubing.

### Claim 21

A system for defect evaluation, comprising:
a sensor positioned along a circumference of a moving pipe to monitor for defects in the pipe; and
a data processing system coupled to the sensor, the data processing system comprising a memory in which a defect database is stored, the data processing system further comprising a processor which processes data received from the sensor according to an algorithm that matches defects detected in the pipe with stored defect entries in the defect database to identify the defects, the data processing system further being programmed to:
track the identified defects based on the data received from the sensor to determine changes in the identified defects over time; and
automatically adjust an operation using the pipe based on the changes in the identified defects over time.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the sensor is a magnetic flux leakage sensor.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the pipe comprises coiled tubing.