System and method for pipeline management

Abstract

The ability to match multiple runs of inspection data to each other allows assets to be managed. Assets, such as defects in pipelines can be tracked across multiple inspection runs. The matching of defects allows the growth of defects in the pipeline to be tracked. The pipeline data system allows tracking of different assets including pipeline components, as well as managing documents including dig site reports.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for matching inspection data across multiple inspection runs of a pipeline, the method comprising:
 determining detected signatures of relevant features comprising welds and valves of the pipeline within new inspection data and corresponding relevant features in a 3-dimensional (3D) model of the pipeline stored in a database system to position each of the plurality of measurements along a portion of the 3D model corresponding to a portion of the pipeline where the respective measurements were taken by the pipe inspection gauge, wherein the new inspection data comprises a plurality of measurements taken by a pipe inspection gauge that measures magnetic flux leakage (MFL) along pipeline walls during an inspection run; and a plurality of distances each indicative of a distance the pipe inspection gauge has travelled from a starting location within the pipeline when a respective measurement of the plurality of measurements was taken by the pipe inspection gauge;   determining one or more pipeline defects in the new inspection data corresponding to one or more existing defects in existing inspection data from a previous inspection run using the positions of the plurality of measurements of the new inspection data as positioned along the portion of the 3D model and the positions of the existing inspection data along the 3D model of the pipeline;   for each of the determined one or more pipeline defects corresponding to a respective existing defect of the one or more existing defects, linking the determined one or more pipeline defects in the new inspection data to the corresponding existing defect in the existing data from the previous inspection run; and   storing the new inspection data and the links between identified defects and existing defects in the database system.