Must tool accuracy be considered when determining if an anomaly detected by in-line inspection meets repair criteria?
Yes. Operators are required to integrate relevant information on the condition of the pipeline in making decisions on excavation timing and other mitigative actions. Tool accuracy should be considered as part of the data integration process. Accounting for tool accuracy is most important for immediate repair anomalies. Immediate repair conditions may not be discovered (because the ILI tool “undercalled” the defect), even if the tool functioned within its published accuracy specifications, if tool accuracy is not considered. Information on tool accuracy should be used to assure that defects requiring early excavation and mitigative action are properly identified and characterized. This does not necessarily mean simply adding the vendor-supplied accuracy specification to reported depth of metal loss indications. Several sources of data may be used, in conjunction with vendor-supplied tool specifications, to characterize pipeline defects. These include results of previous excavations, con
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