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AQiRE™ – Today’s Crack Detection Solution for Small Diameter Natural Gas Pipelines

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Pipeline crack detection has been identified as one the largest integrity issues operators face today due to the lack of available advanced technology able to adequately detect and size anomalies across all operating pipelines and environments. Cracks in pipelines such as Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) and resident manufacturing defects can lead to catastrophic safety and environmental incidents and having the correct inspection solution with reliable data is crucial to making the right call at the right time and avoiding unnecessary incidents.

AQiRE™ inspection service uses the next generation of electromagnetic technology crack detection (EMAT), engineered to eliminate or reduce pipeline operational risks. The innovative solution provides high resolution in-line inspection for small diameter natural gas pipelines, including those identified as difficult to inspect. The short-body, low drag tool provides superior navigability and is suitable for low-pressure difficult-to-inspect, or unpiggable pipelines.

The patented EMAT crack detection sensors are enhanced to reduce signal congestion in small diameter pipelines simplifying detection and characterization of flaws and resulting in an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The system’s software and data acquisition capabilities allow for 100% collection and storage of the raw A-Scan data for improved analysis and discrimination. This method of optimized data acquisition results in zero blind spots, stronger signal returns, and simplified data analysis.

AQiRE™ – Today’s Crack Detection Solution for Small Diameter Natural Gas Pipelines

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Highlights

  • Reduced signal congestion – patented unidirectional mode-controlled guided wave interrogation
  • Simplified data analysis
  • Improved flaw-to-noise ratios
  • 100% raw A-scan capture for enhanced analytical capabilities
  • Integrated data analysis and reporting using complementary inspection data and asset information
  • Difficult to inspect pipeline capabilities – Low flow conditions, tool collapsible to 80% outside diameter
  • Short tool length for easy and fast deployment capabilities
  • Diameter capabilities 8” – 22″
  • Free swimming at differential pressure as low as 50 psi
  • Operable pressure ranges from 450 to 2000 psi
  • Low drag for smooth transitions through bends to minimize pressure spikes
  • 1.5D U and S shaped bends & curves
  • Tool tested through plane and full-bore restrictions
  • Short body: No trap modifications required
  • Run length adjustable with addition of battery modules

Q: What is AQiRE, and how does it utilize EMAT (Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer) technology for crack detection?

A: AQiRE utilizes Electro‐Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) to detect and size cracks in pipelines. During an EMAT inspection an acoustic guided wave is produced in the pipe material, hence no need for the liquid couplant.

 

Q: What are the main challenges in inspecting underground gas pipelines, and how does AQiRE address them?

A: In the pipeline in-line inspection (ILI) industry, ultrasonic crack detection has been successfully used for many years; however, it requires a liquid medium and is therefore primarily applied in liquid pipelines. As a result, gas pipeline operators have had limited options for managing cracking threats, creating a need for an ILI solution that can operate effectively in a gas stream.

AQiRE addresses this challenge by using EMAT (Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer) technology, which generates an acoustic guided wave directly in the pipe material. This eliminates the need for a liquid couplant and enables effective inspection in gas pipelines, providing operators with a viable solution for detecting and managing crack threats in gas transmission systems.

 

Q: How does AQiRE’s crack detection capability compare to competitors?

A: Quest’s AQiRE technology fills a critical market gap by enabling inspection of small-diameter, low-flow, unpiggable pipelines where competitors often lack viable solutions.

Its patented unidirectional sensor design reduces signal congestion, simplifies analysis, and improves crack detection accuracy. With a low signal-to-noise ratio and the ability to capture raw A-scans without onboard processing, AQiRE delivers clearer data and enhanced defect interpretation. This sets a new standard for pipeline integrity assessment.

 

Q: What types of cracks can AQiRE identify, and what is the detection sensitivity?

A: The ILI tool will detect (and identify as crack-like with 80% POI) all types of radial, longitudinal cracks which terminate in the internal or external wall surface, including the weld bead. Typical crack types are single, isolated cracks like toe or fatigue cracks, crack colonies like SCC, or crack-like defects in the weld bead like lack of fusion, undercuts and welding defects.

 

Q: How does AQiRE support ongoing integrity management programs for underground pipelines?

A: AQiRE supports ongoing integrity management programs for underground pipelines by providing high-resolution condition data focused on cracking threats. This data helps integrity management systems prioritize repairs, validate risk models, and support regulatory compliance.

By trending defect populations over time and integrating with other data streams and threat assessment programs, AQiRE enables operators to move from reactive to proactive maintenance. This reduces failure risk and supports optimized lifecycle management.

Solution Benefits

  • Reduced signal congestion – patented unidirectional mode-controlled guided wave interrogation
  • Simplified data analysis
  • Improved flaw-to-noise ratios
  • 100% raw A-scan capture for enhanced analytical capabilities
  • Integrated data analysis and reporting using complementary inspection data and asset information
  • Difficult to inspect pipeline capabilities – Low flow conditions, tool collapsible to 80% outside diameter
  • Short tool length for easy and fast deployment capabilities

Specifications

  • Diameter capabilities 8” – 22″
  • Free swimming at differential pressure as low as 50 psi
  • Operable pressure ranges from 450 to 2000 psi
  • Low drag for smooth transitions through bends to minimize pressure spikes
  • 1.5D U and S shaped bends & curves
  • Tool tested through plane and full-bore restrictions
  • Short body: No trap modifications required
  • Run length adjustable with addition of battery modules

AQiRE - EMAT Crack Detection (Underground Gas Pipelines) FAQ

Q: What is AQiRE, and how does it utilize EMAT (Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer) technology for crack detection?

A: AQiRE utilizes Electro‐Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) to detect and size cracks in pipelines. During an EMAT inspection an acoustic guided wave is produced in the pipe material, hence no need for the liquid couplant.

 

Q: What are the main challenges in inspecting underground gas pipelines, and how does AQiRE address them?

A: In the pipeline in-line inspection (ILI) industry, ultrasonic crack detection has been successfully used for many years; however, it requires a liquid medium and is therefore primarily applied in liquid pipelines. As a result, gas pipeline operators have had limited options for managing cracking threats, creating a need for an ILI solution that can operate effectively in a gas stream.

AQiRE addresses this challenge by using EMAT (Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer) technology, which generates an acoustic guided wave directly in the pipe material. This eliminates the need for a liquid couplant and enables effective inspection in gas pipelines, providing operators with a viable solution for detecting and managing crack threats in gas transmission systems.

 

Q: How does AQiRE’s crack detection capability compare to competitors?

A: Quest’s AQiRE technology fills a critical market gap by enabling inspection of small-diameter, low-flow, unpiggable pipelines where competitors often lack viable solutions.

Its patented unidirectional sensor design reduces signal congestion, simplifies analysis, and improves crack detection accuracy. With a low signal-to-noise ratio and the ability to capture raw A-scans without onboard processing, AQiRE delivers clearer data and enhanced defect interpretation. This sets a new standard for pipeline integrity assessment.

 

Q: What types of cracks can AQiRE identify, and what is the detection sensitivity?

A: The ILI tool will detect (and identify as crack-like with 80% POI) all types of radial, longitudinal cracks which terminate in the internal or external wall surface, including the weld bead. Typical crack types are single, isolated cracks like toe or fatigue cracks, crack colonies like SCC, or crack-like defects in the weld bead like lack of fusion, undercuts and welding defects.

 

Q: How does AQiRE support ongoing integrity management programs for underground pipelines?

A: AQiRE supports ongoing integrity management programs for underground pipelines by providing high-resolution condition data focused on cracking threats. This data helps integrity management systems prioritize repairs, validate risk models, and support regulatory compliance.

By trending defect populations over time and integrating with other data streams and threat assessment programs, AQiRE enables operators to move from reactive to proactive maintenance. This reduces failure risk and supports optimized lifecycle management.

Quest Integrity is now part of Baker Hughes.

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