Abstract: There is provided a method and system for identifying the location of an obstruction in a pipeline comprising: sensing the magnetic field generated by a pipeline at an initial pressure from a first location along the length of the pipeline to obtain a baseline reading; altering the pressure from a first end until a maximum pressure or minimum pressure is attained; sensing the magnetic field at the maximum or minimum pressure from the first location to obtain a stress reading; and identifying the location of the obstruction as a) being between a second end and the first location when there is a deviation between the stress reading and the baseline reading at the first location or as b) being between the first end and the first location when there is an absence of a deviation between the stress reading and the baseline reading at the first location.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for identifying the location of an obstruction in a pipeline comprising: sensing the magnetic field generated by a pipeline at an initial pressure from a first location along the length of the pipeline to obtain a baseline reading; altering the pressure from a first end until a maximum pressure or minimum pressure is attained; sensing the magnetic field at the maximum or minimum pressure from the first location to obtain a stress reading; and identifying the location of the obstruction as a) being between a second end and the first location when there is a deviation between the stress reading and the baseline reading at the first location or as b) being between the first end and the first location when there is an absence of a deviation between the stress reading and the baseline reading at the first location.

Abstract: A spooling apparatus includes a spool for holding wire, the spool having a wire-retaining section and end plates, the end plates having one or more apertures. A conductive plate is positioned on an end plate of the spool opposite the wire-retaining section, and at least one conductive extension that extends through a corresponding aperture of the end plate such that the conductive extension is adjacent to the wire retaining section. Wire is spooled onto the wire-retaining section, at least a portion of the wire being uninsulated and in electrical contact with the conductive extensions of the conductive plate.

Abstract: A spooling apparatus includes a spool for holding wire, the spool having a wire-retaining section and end plates, the end plates having one or more apertures. A conductive plate is positioned on an end plate of the spool opposite the wire-retaining section, and at least one conductive extension that extends through a corresponding aperture of the end plate such that the conductive extension is adjacent to the wire retaining section. Wire is spooled onto the wire-retaining section, at least a portion of the wire being uninsulated and in electrical contact with the conductive extensions of the conductive plate.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing anomalies in a linear conductor buried under a ground surface includes the steps of obtaining prioritization values for a plurality of anomalies along a linear conductor, and ranking the prioritization values according to magnitude. For each anomaly, a prioritization value is obtained by: locating an anomaly; for each anomaly, determining a current, a depth of cover, and a voltage gradient using spaced voltage probes; using the depth of cover and the voltage gradient, calculating an effective probe spacing of the first and second voltage probes relative to the anomaly on the conductor; and determining the prioritization value of the anomaly based on a linear relationship between the voltage gradient and the product of the current and the effective probe spacing.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing anomalies in a linear conductor buried under a ground surface includes the steps of obtaining prioritization values for a plurality of anomalies along a linear conductor, and ranking the prioritization values according to magnitude. For each anomaly, a prioritization value is obtained by: locating an anomaly; for each anomaly, determining a current, a depth of cover, and a voltage gradient using spaced voltage probes; using the depth of cover and the voltage gradient, calculating an effective probe spacing of the first and second voltage probes relative to the anomaly on the conductor; and determining the prioritization value of the anomaly based on a linear relationship between the voltage gradient and the product of the current and the effective probe spacing.

Abstract: A method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors. A first step involves passing a dynamic data stream of data from survey instruments through a filtering software adapted to reduce the volume of data being processed. A second step involves setting a survey interval within the software, the survey interval being a selected distance between survey points in order to provide a desired survey point density. A third step involves setting a geographic activation buffer within the software in relation to the survey interval. The filtering software is programmed to process data within the activation buffer separately from the dynamic data stream.

Abstract: A method of correcting in-line inspection run data logs using acoustical data includes positioning above ground markers periodically along a length of a pipeline to be inspected. The above ground markers generating detection events as an inspection tool passes. Acoustic detectors are positioned periodically along the length of the pipeline. An inspection tool travels along the length of the pipeline. An inspection log is created based on the detection events. Acoustic data generated by the inspection tool is recorded, and used to adjust the inspection log.

Abstract: A method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors. A first step involves passing a dynamic data stream of data from survey instruments through a filtering software adapted to reduce the volume of data being processed. A second step involves setting a survey interval within the software, the survey interval being a selected distance between survey points in order to provide a desired survey point density. A third step involves setting a geographic activation buffer within the software in relation to the survey interval. The filtering software is programmed to process data within the activation buffer separately from the dynamic data stream.