Pipeline Condition Assessment

Efficient assessment techniques

WRc offer a range of condition assessment services and continue to adapt their tested techniques to address the inevitable unique situations that call for an unconventional approach. 

• Free swimming internal inspection technology
• Robotic pipeline inspection
• Tethered under pressure acoustic & CCTV inspection
• External NDT techniques

Avoiding Asset Failure

Using condition assessment techniques deployed on a range of different platforms, we help utilities and industry to understand the condition of underground infrastructure, allowing pipelines to be maintained before widespread replacement or rehabilitation becomes necessary. Our assessments provide data to inform efficient mains replacement strategies that minimise disruption and reduce costs.

Valuable investment advice

Effective condition assessment, where localised problems are identified and addressed before they result in failure, is a far more effective and efficient way to maintain pressurised pipelines than widespread replacement or rehabilitation of long sections that may otherwise have a long remaining service life. Return On Investment (ROI) studies demonstrate that a properly conducted assessment and repair program can be implemented for as little as only 4% of the capital replacement cost, maximising the value of a client's budget.

Capital replacement programmes for large diameter pressure pipelines carry a high price and pose significant logistical challenges. Based on the assessment of thousands of kilometres of large-diameter pipelines, it is clear that management of transmission mains can be improved and even problematic pipelines typically have no significant deterioration for 96% of their length and less than 1% of pipe sections actually require any immediate repair.