Air-Coupled Field. Flux lines that pass between the poles or pole pieces of a magnet but not through the pipe wall itself.

Anomaly. Any kind of imperfection, defect, or critical defect that may be present in the wall of the pipe.

Applied Magnetic Field. The strength of the magnetization field that is produced in a pipe wall by a magnetizing system in an in-line inspection tool.

ASME B31G. A commonly used analysis criterion for metal-loss anomalies in a pipeline.

Average Length. The cross-sectional area of a metal-loss anomaly divided by its maximum depth.

B31G. See ASME B31G.

Batching Pig. A utility pig that forms a moving seal in a pipeline to separate liquid from gas media or to separate two different products being transported in the pipeline. The most common configurations of batching pigs are cup pigs and sphere pigs.

Bellhole. An excavation in a local area to permit a survey, inspection, maintenance, repair, or replacement of pipe sections.

B-H curve. See magnetization curve.

Buckle. A partial collapse of the pipe due to excessive bending associated with soil instability, land slides, washouts, frost heaves, earthquakes, etc.

Calibration Digs. Exploratory excavations, or bellholes, of portions of the pipeline in which an in-line inspection tool has recorded an indication.

Camera Pig. A configuration pig that carries a video or film camera and light sources for photographing the inside surface of a pipeline on an intermittent or continuous basis.

Characterize. To quantify the type, size, shape, orientation, and location of an anomaly, defect, or critical defect.

Characterization. The process of quantifying the size, shape, orientation, and location of an anomaly, defect, or critical defect after it has been detected. There are many degrees to which characterization can be successful. For example, one type of characterization of a mechanical-damage defect may be to determine whether the defect contains a cold worked region (severe) or not (less severe).

City Gate Station. The facility at which the custody of natural gas is transferred from a transmission pipeline company to a local distribution company. The gas is usually measured, regulated, and/or odorized at this facility.

Class Location. A criterion for pipeline design set by the Code of Federal Regulations. Class 1 is rural and Class 4 is heavily populated. A class location is based on the number and type of buildings situated in an area that extends 220 yards on either side of the centerline of any continuous 1-mile length of a pipeline.

Classify. To separate the cause of indications into one of three categories, namely, anomalies, non-relevant conditions, or pipeline components.

Cleaning Pig. A utility pig that uses cups, scrapers, or brushes to remove dirt, rust, mill scale, or other foreign matter from the pipeline. Cleaning pigs are run to increase the operating efficiency of a pipeline or to facilitate inspection of the pipeline.

Coil Sensor. See induction coil sensor.

Cold working. Distortion of the grains in the vicinity of a gouge. Cold working often occurs immediately under the visible gouge and can significantly reduce the mechanical properties of a pipe steel.

Compression. (1) The process of increasing the pressure of gas to maintain its flow in a pipeline system. Compressing gas is analogous to pumping liquids, such as water or oil. (2) The process of reducing the amount of data to be stored in an in-line inspection tool.

Configuration Pig. An instrumented pig that collects data relating to the inner contour of a pipe wall or of the pipeline. geometry pigs, camera pigs, and mapping pigs are types of configuration pigs.

Corrosion.

• General External - Metal loss due to electrochemical, galvanic, microbiological, or other attack on the pipe due to environmental conditions surrounding the pipe.
• General Internal - Metal loss due to chemical or other attack on the steel from liquids on the inside of the pipe. Electrochemical attack can also occur in local cells, but this condition is less frequent.
• Pit - Local concentrated-cell corrosion on the external or internal surfaces that results from the generation of a potential (voltage) difference set up by variations in oxygen concentrations within and outside the pit. The oxygen-starved pit acts as the anode and the pipe surface acts as the cathode.
• Stress Corrosion Cracking - A progressive intergranular and/or transgranular cracking that results from a combination of applied tensile stress, cathodic protection currents, and a suitable corrosive environment.

• Fatigue - Progressive cracking in the base material, weld, or weld zone that is caused by pressure cycling or oscillatory stresses associated with the operation of the system.
• Girth Weld - Cracks in the weld or weld zone of the butt welds that connect sections of pipe.
• Seam Weld - Cracks in the weld or weld zone of the longitudinal seam weld of the pipe.
• Selective Corrosion - A localized corrosion attack along the bond line of electric resistance welds (ERW) and flash welds (FW), that leads to the development of a wedge shaped groove that is often filled with corrosion products.

Critical Defect. As used in this text, a subset of defect, for which an analysis, such as ASME B31G, would indicate that the pipe is approaching failure at pressures equal to maximum operating pressure or the maximum allowable operating pressure for the pipe.

Cup Pig. A utility pig that is supported and driven by cups made of a resilient material such as neoprene or polyurethane. At least one of the cups forms a piston-like seal inside the pipeline.

Data Analysis. The process through which indications are evaluated to classify and characterize them as non-relevant conditions, pipeline components, anomalies, imperfections, defects, or critical defects.

Decoupling. The process of estimating a hypothetical MFL signal that is due to magnetic property changes and independent of geometry and moved or removed metal.

Defect. As used in this text, an anomaly for which an analysis, such as ASME B31G, would indicate that the pipe is approaching failure as the nominal hoop stress approaches the specified minimum yield stress of the pipe material.

Dent. A local depression in the pipe surface caused by mechanical damage that produces a gross disturbance in the curvature of the pipe without reducing the pipe wall thickness.

Detect. To sense or obtain a measurable indication from an anomaly in a pipeline.

Detection. The process of obtaining an inspection signal that is recognized as coming from a defect or anomaly. An in-line inspection tool can detect only those defects that produce signals that are both measurable and recognizable. Not all defects are detectable with all inspection systems.

Detection Limit. The largest anomaly that could be missed (not the smallest anomaly that could be found) by an in-line inspection tool.

Disbonded Coating. Any loss of bond between the protective coating and the steel pipe as a result of adhesive failure, chemical attack, mechanical damage, hydrogen concentrations, etc.

Distribution Line. A gas pipeline other than a gathering line or transmission line (See 49 Code of Federal Regulations 192).

Dummy Run. A preliminary run of a utility pig to verify safe passage of a fully instrumented tool through a section of pipeline. Dummy runs may also be used to remove debris from inside the pipeline.

Electromagnet. A type of magnet in which a magnetic field is produced by passing an electrical current (power) through a coil of wire.

Erosion. Destruction or removal of material by abrasive action of moving fluids (or gases) usually accelerated by the presence of solid particles or matter in suspension.

Evaluation. A review, following the identification of an anomaly, to determine whether the anomaly meets specified acceptance criteria.

False Call. An indication from an inspection that is classified as an anomaly where no imperfection, defect, or critical defect exists.

Feature-Based Analysis Method. Analysis method that makes use of discrete signal parameters, such as peak amplitude or peak-to-peak length.

Flux. The (scalar) number of flux lines crossing a unit area at right angles to the unit area. See magnetic flux.

Flux Density. (1) A measure of the intensity of magnetization produced by a magnetic field. (2) A vector quantity representing the number of flux lines crossing a unit area at right angles.

Flux Leakage. The flow of flux out of a magnetic material, such as the wall of a pipe, into a medium with lower permeability, such as gas or air.

Flux Lines. A representation of the strength and direction of a magnetic field. Flux lines are drawn parallel to the direction of magnetic force. The spacing of these lines represents the magnetic field strength. Flux lines always form nonintersecting closed loops starting at the north pole and ending at the south pole of a magnet.

Gas-Coupled Field. See air-coupled field.

Gathering Line. A pipeline that transports gas from a production facility (e.g., gas well) to a processing or compressor station prior to entry into the transmission pipeline.

Gauging Pig. A utility pig that is permanently deformable by obstructions in the pipeline and thus, upon retrieval from the line, provides evidence of the worst-case obstruction in a given pipeline segment.

Gel Pig. A utility pig that is composed of a highly viscous gelled liquid. These pigs are often used for pipeline cleaning and are sometimes called gelly pigs.

Geometry Pig. A configuration pig designed to record conditions, such as dents, wrinkles, ovality, bend radius and angle, and occasionally indications of significant internal corrosion, by making measurements of the inside surface of the pipeline.

Gouge. Local damage caused by mechanical or forceful removal of metal from a local area on the surface of the pipe that may work harden the pipe and make it more susceptible to cracking.

Gouging. The process of creating a zone of mechanical damage that includes cold working, residual stresses, plastic distortion, and (generally) moved or removed metal.

Hall-Effect Sensor, Hall Element. A type of sensor that directly measures magnetic field. Hall-effect sensors require power to operate.

Hard Spots. Local changes in hardness of the steel in the pipe resulting from nonuniform quenching procedures during the manufacture or changes in chemistry of the steel. Hard spots, when stressed, are subject to failure from mechanisms, such as hydrogen-stress cracking.

High Magnetization Level. A magnetization level at which the effects of magnetic distortion become negligible and the measurable MFL signal is nearly the same as that which would be produced by the mechanical distortion only.

Holidays. Discontinuities in a coating, such as pinholes, cracks, gaps, or other flaws, that allow areas of the base metal to be exposed to any corrosive environment that contacts the coating surface. (See bellhole inspection of coating damage)

Hydrostatic Retesting. Proof testing of sections of a pipeline by filling the line with water and pressurizing it until the nominal hoop stresses in the pipe reach a specified value.

Identification. The process of differentiating a signal caused by one type of defect from signals caused by other types of defects or pipeline features. Identification is particularly important for mechanical damage defects because their signals are so small that they can be mistaken as due to benign conditions. Mechanical-damage signals are also small compared to signals from metal loss and features such as valves.

Imperfection. An anomaly in the pipe that will not result in pipe failure at pressures below those that produce nominal hoop stresses equal to the specified minimum yield stress of the pipe material.

Incident. An event that is reported to U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Pipeline Safety that involves fatalities, injuries, property damage in excess of $50,000, unintentional release of natural gas, customer outages, or other conditions that, in the opinion of the pipeline operator, are significant enough that they should be reported.

Inclusions. Foreign material or particles in a metal matrix. These are usually compounds, such as oxides, sulfides, or silicates, but may be any substance that is foreign to the matrix whether it is soluble or insoluble.

Indication. (1) Any measured signal or response from an inspection of a pipe above the normal baseline signal. (2) Measurements made during monitoring of cathodic protection systems.

Induction Coil Sensor. A type of sensor that measures the time rate of change in flux density. Induction coils do not require power to operate.

Inspection. (1) The process of examining a pipe using a nondestructive testing technique to look for anomalies or to evaluate the nature or severity of an indication. (2) The process of running a configuration tool or an in-line inspection tool through a pipe to detect anomalies.

In-Line Inspection (ILI). The inspection of a pipeline from the interior of the pipe using an in-line inspection tool.

In-Line Inspection Tool (ILI Tool). The device or vehicle, also known as an intelligent or smart pig, that uses a nondestructive testing technique to inspect the wall of a pipe. An in-line inspection tool is one type of instrumented tool.

Intelligent Tool. See in-line inspection tool.

Instrumented Tool or Pig. A vehicle or device used for internal inspections of a pipe, which contains sensors, electronics, and recording or output functions integral to the system. Instrumented tools are divided into two types: (a) configuration pigs, which measure the pipeline geometry or the conditions of the inside surface of the pipe, and (b) in-line inspection tools that use nondestructive testing techniques to inspect the wall of the pipe for corrosion, cracks, or other types of anomalies.

Joint. A single section of pipe that is welded to others to make up a pipeline. A joint of pipe is often 40-feet long.

Knee of the Magnetization Curve. The region of a magnetization curve where the permeability of the pipe material reaches a maximum.

Lack of Fusion (LOF). In a weld, any area or zone that lacks complete melting and coalescence (fusion) of a portion of the weld. This may occur between weld passes or between weld and base materials.

Lack of Penetration (LOP). In the welding process, failure to achieve fusion of the base metal to the desired or planned depth.

Lamination. A type of imperfection or discontinuity with separation or weakness, usually aligned parallel to the worked surface of a metal.

Launcher. A pipeline facility used for inserting a pig into a pressurized pipeline.

Line Pipe. See pipe.

Magnetization Curve. A representation (plot) of the magnetic flux in a pipe wall as a function of the applied magnetic field. A magnetization curve is typically nonlinear and is also referred to as a B-H curve.

Magnetic Distortion. Changes in the magnetic properties of a pipe steel in the vicinity of mechanical damage. Magnetic distortion, as used here, is due to active stresses, residual stresses, plastic strains, and/or cold working.

Magnetic Field. A vector quantity representing the force of attraction that a magnet exerts on steel pieces and on other magnet poles.

Magnetic Field Strength. The magnitude of the magnetic field produced by a magnet.

Magnetic Flux. A measure of the amount of magnetization carried by a material. Also called flux.

Magnetic Flux Leakage. An inspection technique in which a magnetic field is applied to a pipe section and measurements are taken of the magnetic flux density at the pipe surface. Changes in measured flux density indicate the presence of a possible defect. Also called MFL.

Magnetic Saturation. Presence of a magnetizing level in a pipe wall that is above the knee of the magnetization curve.

Magnetic Reluctance. The resistance of a material to the passage of magnetic flux. Reluctance is a function of a material's permeability, its cross- sectional area, and the distance the magnetic flux must travel.

Mapping Pig. A configuration pig that uses inertial sensing or some other technology to collect data that can be analyzed to produce an elevation and plan view of the pipeline route.

Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP). The maximum internal pressure permitted the operation of a pipeline as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations.

Maximum Dent Depth. The maximum depth to which an indentor has pressed into a pipe. Maximum dent depth does not take into account rerounding due to pressure.

Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP). The maximum internal pressure expected during the operation of a pipeline, which cannot normally exceed the maximum allowable operating pressure.

Measured Dent Depth. See residual dent depth.

Measurable. Producing an inspection signal that is above the noise level inherently present in the pipe.

Mechanical Damage. Any of a number of types of anomalies in pipe caused by the application of an external force. Can include dents, gouges, and metal loss .

Mechanical Distortion. Changes in wall thickness or changes in the cylindrical shape of a pipe. A gouge, because it includes cold working, residual stresses, plastic strains, and moved or removed metal, contains both mechanical and magnetic distortion.

Metal Loss. Any of a number of types of anomalies in pipe in which metal has been removed from the pipe surface, usually due to corrosion or gouging.

MFL. An inspection technique in which a magnetic field is applied to a pipe section and measurements are taken of the magnetic flux density at the pipe surface. Changes in measured flux density indicate the presence of a possible defect. Also called magnetic flux leakage.

Monitoring. Measurements or periodic inspections made at selected locations along the pipeline.

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE). The evaluation of results from nondestructive testing methods or nondestructive testing techniques in order to detect, locate, measure, and evaluate anomalies.

Nondestructive Testing (NDT). The actual application of a nondestructive testing method or a nondestructive testing technique.

Nondestructive Testing Method (NDT Method). A particular method of nondestructive testing, such as radiography, ultrasonics, magnetic testing, liquid penetrants, visual, leak testing, eddy current, and acoustic emission.

Nondestructive Testing Technique (NDT Technique). A specific way of utilizing a particular nondestructive testing method that distinguishes it from other ways of applying the same nondestructive testing method. For example, magnetic testing is a nondestructive testing method while magnetic flux leakage and magnetic particle inspection are nondestructive testing techniques. Similarly ultrasonics is a nondestructive testing method, while contact shear-wave ultrasonics and contact compression-wave ultrasonics are nondestructive testing techniques.

Non-Relevant Indication. A response recorded on a chart, data display, or record that comes from a source outside the pipeline, such as foreign objects in the ditch.

Obstructions. Any restriction or foreign object that reduces or modifies the cross section of the pipe to the extent that gas flow is affected or in-line inspection pigs can become stuck (ovality, collapse, dents, undersized valves, wrinkles, bends, weld drop through). Also any foreign object in the pipeline. (See pipe collapse)

Ovality. A condition in which a circular pipe forms into an ellipse, usually as the result of external forces.

Peak-to-Peak Distance or Length. The distance between peak amplitudes (usually the leading and trailing peaks) on an indication from an MFL inspection.

Permanent Magnet. A type of magnet that requires no electrical current to generate a magnetic field.

Permeability. (1) The ability of magnetic flux to diffuse through (or permeate) a magnetic material. (2) The ratio of magnetic flux density to magnetic field strength.

Pig. A generic term signifying any independent, self-contained device, tool or vehicle that moves through the interior of the pipeline for purposes of inspecting, dimensioning, or cleaning. All pigs in this report are either utility pigs or instrumented tools.

Pipe. As used in this text, the steel pipe exclusive of protective coatings or attachments that is used to transport natural gas.

Pipeline. That portion of the pipeline system between the compressor stations including the pipe, protective coatings, cathodic protection system, field connections, valves and other appurtenances attached or connected to the pipe.

Pipeline Component. A feature, such as a valve, cathodic protection connection or tee that is a normal part of the pipeline. The component may produce an indication that is recorded as part of an inspection by an in-line inspection tool or configuration pig.

Pipeline System. All portions of the physical facilities through which gas moves during transportation including pipe, valves, and other appurtenances attached to the pipe, such as compressor units, metering stations, regulator stations, delivery stations, holders and other fabricated assemblies. (See 49 Code of Federal Regulations 192)

Plastic Strains. Strains beyond the elastic limit of a material due to mechanical damage. Plastic strains and cold working are related, but not the same.

Pole Piece. A magnetic material that channels a magnetic field from a magnet into a pipe material.

Pole Spacing. The distance between pole pieces of a magnetizing assembly.

Porosity. Small voids or pores, usually gas filled, in the weld metal.

Radius Bends. The radius of the bend in the pipe as related to the pipe diameter (D). Example: A 3D bend would have a radius of three times the diameter of the pipe measured to the centerline of the pipe.

Receiver. A pipeline facility used for removing a pig from a pressurized pipeline.

Recognizable. Producing a signal that can be identified as coming from a particular type of defect, e.g., mechanical damage.

Remanent Magnetization. The magnetization level left in a steel pipe after the passage of a magnetic in-line inspection tool.

Remediation. An operation or procedure that eliminates the factor or factors causing an imperfection, defect, or critical defect.

Rerounding. The process of changing the dent depth and shape by internal pressure in the pipe. Generally, dents due to third-party contact will reround, while dents due to rocks will not unless the rock causing the dent is removed.

Residual Dent Depth. The dent depth measured under a particular set of conditions, e.g., in unpressurized pipe used in the pull rig or in pressurized pipe in a pipeline. While maximum dent depth does not change, the residual or measured dent depth changes with pressure and loading history. Also referred to as the measured dent depth.

Residual Stresses. Elastic stresses that were not present within the pipe wall before mechanical damage but that are present after the damage has occurred.

Saturation. The degree of magnetization where a further increase in magnetic field strength produces a decrease in permeability of a material.

Scabs. See slivers .

SCC. Stress-corrosion cracking. Environmentally assisted cracking that can result when the combined action of stress, an electrochemical cracking environment, and temperature causes cracks to initiate and grow in a susceptible line-pipe steel.

Sensors. See Hall-effect sensors or induction coils.

Shielded Corrosion. corrosion between the pipe and the protective coating, which is not controlled by cathodic protection currents.

Sizing. See characterization.

Slivers. A thin elongated anomaly caused when a piece of metal is rolled into the surface of the pipe. A sliver is usually metallurgically attached at only one end. In MFL inspections, a sliver is sometimes called a lamination.

Smart Pig. See in-line inspection tool.

Specified Minimum Yield Strength or Stress (SMYS). A required strength level that the measured yield stress of a pipe material must exceed, which is a function of pipe grade. The measured yield stress is the tensile stress required to produce a total elongation of 0.5 percent of a gage length as determine by an extensometer during a tensile test.

Sphere Pig.. A spherical utility pig made of rubber or urethane. The sphere may be solid or hollow, filled with air or liquid. The most common use of sphere pigs is as a batching pig.

Stress-Corrosion Cracking. Environmentally assisted cracking that can result when the combined action of stress, an electrochemical cracking environment, and temperature causes cracks to initiate and grow in a susceptible line-pipe steel. Also called SCC.

Survey. Measurements, inspections, or observations intended to discover and identify events or conditions that indicate a departure from normal operation of the pipeline.

Tenting. A tent-shaped void formed along a the longitudinal seam-weld reinforcement in a pipe when the external coating is not in continuous intimate contact with the pipe and weld surfaces.

Testing. See hydrostatic retesting.

Tool. A generic term signifying any type of instrumented tool or pig.

Transducer. A device for converting energy from one form to another; for example, in ultrasonic testing, conversion of electrical pulses to acoustic waves and vice-versa.

Transmission Line. A pipeline, other than a gathering or distribution line, that transports gas from a gathering or storage facility to a distribution center or storage operates at a hoop stress of 20 percent or more of the specified minimum yield stress of the pipe, or transports gas within a storage field. (See 49 Code of Federal Regulations 192)

Trap. Pipeline facility for launching and receiving tools and pigs.

Utility Pig. A pig that performs relatively simple mechanical functions, such as cleaning the pipeline.

Wrinkles. Ripples that occur on the inner radius of a pipe when the pipe is cold bent.

Yield Pressure. The pressure at which the nominal hoop stress in the wall of a pipe equals the specified minimum yield stress of the pipe grade.