US 6,686,745 B2 · Apparatus and method for electrical testing of electrically heated pipe-in-pipe pipeline

Abstract

A method and apparatus for electrically testing a pipe-in-pipe pipeline during the construction, installation, commissioning, operation, or dismantling phases of an electrically heated pipe-in-pipe subsea pipeline. One embodiment is directed to a high voltage qualification test of the electrical integrity of a segment of a pipe-in-pipe pipeline. Another embodiment is directed to a method and an apparatus for performing a high voltage pulse test of the electrical integrity of a pipe-in-pipe pipeline. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for performing a low voltage pulse test of the electrical integrity of a pipe-in-pipe pipeline, which may be performed during the operation phase of an electrically heated pipe-in-pipe pipeline.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method for high-voltage qualification testing of electrical integrity of a segment of a pipe-in-pipe pipeline, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the segment of the pipe-in-pipe pipeline, the segment having an outer pipe and an inner pipe;
(b) electrically connecting a power supply to the inner pipe;
(c) electrically connecting a return lead from the outer pipe to the power supply;
(d) applying a voltage from the power supply to the pipe-in-pipe pipeline;
and
(e) measuring a resulting electrical current.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for electrical testing of electrically heated pipe-in-pipe pipeline

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for electrical testing of electrically heated pipe-in-pipe pipeline

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5