Dexon TechnologyDexon Technology recently completed a challenging metal loss inspection project in the Carribean. Our inspectors assessed the integrity of a 10-in. diesel and 8-in. gasoline transmission pipeline feeding a tank terminal from a refinery.
The first line, at 10-in., was simple, running straight from the refinery to the tank terminal.
The second, however, introduced a more complex operational challenge: an 8-in. feeder line that joined the 10-in. line at a T-junction.
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Challenge 1: Deploy a Multi-Diameter Launcher
To reduce costs & prep time, Dexon’s engineers worked with the operator to design & fabricate a custom, multi-diameter launcher rather than fabricating two separate launchers for each pipeline.
The bespoke launcher included a removable transition section that reduced the launcher from 10-in. to 8-in, allowing it to launch both of the tools deployed:
• A 10-in. UT-MC Falcon, which specializes in high-resolution metal loss & geometry
• An 8-in. UT-R Owl, which combines high-resolution metal loss & geometry data with a highly flexible design )
Challenge 2: Recover and Recirculate Product—and Run a Bidi Tool
At the end of both the 10-in and 8-in. sections, there were no tanks available to receive displaced product.
Engineers implemented a temporary recovery and recirculation system using rented trucks and pump stations.
For the 8-in. section, which terminated at a T-junction, a modified UT-R Owl ran bidirectionally to return to the launcher location. )
Result
Dexon successfully inspected both pipelines and delivered accurate metal loss and geometry data, confirming the integrity of the operator’s assets while supporting informed maintenance decisions moving forward.