ENTEGRA Talks Technical Innovation in In-Line Inspection at API 2025

ENTEGRA is excited to join other innovators in our in-line inspection industry presenting at the 2025 API Pipeline Conference and Expo in Austin, TX, this month. Read our abstracts below to learn more about our sessions focused on real-world data examples and case studies. Then pop over to booth #308 to continue the conversation. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Assessing Mechanical Damage with an Ultra-High Resolution ILI System

Presented by Mark Olson, CEO

Monday, April 28, at 4:20 pm in room 405

Mechanical damage (i.e., third-party damage), is the number two integrity challenge faced by pipeline operators according to the 2023 Kimberlite report. Defined by API 1163 as “combinations of dents, gouges, and/or cold work caused by the application of external forces,” mechanical damage comprises a wide range of anomalies. This paper looks at the capabilities of a true Ultra-High Resolution (UHR) ILI system to detect mechanical damage and provide detailed characterizations of these kinds of anomalies. In this paper, we will review two real-world case studies where UHR ILI identified mechanical damage. We’ll compare those findings with dig results to gauge the accuracy of the UHR ILI process, and we’ll discuss where these anomalies ultimately fell on a dent strain severity grid. Finally, we’ll consider the role of data analysts in interpreting UHR ILI findings. In these cases, experienced analysts identified key nuances in anomalies by comparing multiple datasets from different sensors — a process difficult to replicate with automated analytics alone. This demonstrates how pairing high-quality data with knowledgeable analysts can aid in delivering more actionable information for operators.

Hard Spot Challenges

Presented by Carlos Diaz, Account Manager

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM in Waterloo Salon 5

Caused by localized quenching, cold working, and welding, hard spots in oil and gas lines could become problematic. In this paper, we’ll look at how true Ultra-High Resolution (UHR) ILI can be used to develop a detailed understanding of hard spots, including assigning Brinell ratings and revealing metallurgical differences in anomalous areas. We’ll review a case study where UHR ILI helped distinguish between benign anomalies and concerning hard spots, allowing an operator to prioritize their dig program. We’ll also discuss how human-centered data analysis is central to contextualizing hard spots, giving operators greater understanding of hard spot threats in a given pipeline.

Girth Weld Assessment: Real-World Examples of Challenging Anomalies vs Manufacturing Indications

Presented by Rick Desaulniers, Data Analysis Technical Authority

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM in room 403-404.

One of the most important decisions a pipeline operator can make is what to do next when an ILI report presents an indication. In this paper we will explore how a knowledgeable and experienced data team, backed by true Ultra-High Resolution data, can detect the difference between girth weld indications due to manufacturing versus potential integrity threats.

Comparing data and in-the-field examples, this paper will examine multiple scenarios where girth welds add complexity to the ILI analysis. Real-world cases will provide the setting to explore the differences between weld flaws and corrosion, understand a construction-created “suck back” feature, and even examine a pinhole at the weld. Data examples will show that girth weld anomaly POD and POI certainties can be achieved and maintained with the cooperation of both ILI Vendor and Operator.