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What Is Subsea Pipeline Inspection and Why Does it Matter?

If you own underwater facilities, you should ask yourself: when was the last time you requested subsea pipeline inspections? This service is extremely important for the safety and performance of your operations, and in this guide from UESI Louisiana, we’ll explain why. We’ll show you when you should request inspections and how this service can help you mitigate safety risks, prevent future costly repairs, and avoid delays in your business operations. Keep reading and discover the importance of subsea pipeline inspections!

When and Why to Request a Subsea Pipeline Inspection

Inspections of the pipelines in your underwater facilities are ideal for detecting leaks, signs of deterioration, cracks, dents, and overall structural or operational issues. Here, we’ll explain when you should request UESI Louisiana’s services to ensure early detection of damage and security problems.

Lack of Maintenance

Subsea pipeline inspections should be performed regularly—at least once every five years. These pipelines are constantly exposed to potential damage caused by water pressure, leaks, impacts, or dents. UESI Louisiana’s team of experts performs regular evaluations of pipeline performance to ensure everything is working properly. If it’s been more than five years since your last inspection, it’s urgent that you request our services now.

Presence of Leaks or Damage

In underwater facilities, it’s not easy to detect leaks, cracks, or signs of deterioration in pipelines and other piping systems. UESI experts use a variety of inspection methods, including remote camera inspections, wall thickness measurements, subsea ultrasound, and more. These methods are specially designed to detect leaks, cracks, dents, and signs of structural damage that may threaten the safety of your facilities.

Failures in the Fluid or Gas Transportation System

One of the most significant signs that you need professional inspections of your subsea pipelines is a drop in system performance. This includes inefficiencies in the transportation of fluids like oil or in gas transfer. Depending on the industry and the type of operations being conducted. These failures can endanger personnel and surrounding communities, and even cause environmental disasters. With UESI inspections, you’ll be able to detect all damage on time and safely.

Why Are Pipeline Inspections So Important?

Regular inspections of your subsea pipelines play a vital role in safety risk mitigation, structural damage prevention, environmental protection, and avoiding operational delays. Discover all the benefits our services can offer your facilities.

Accident Prevention

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, since 1986 there have been over 8,000 accidents related to poorly maintained pipelines in the United States. Inspection services are essential for detecting structural problems in pipeline systems on time and preventing performance failures. Today, performing inspections every 3 to 5 years is indisputably important. Especially because it’s the best way to prevent accidents and avoid putting the safety of personnel and surrounding communities at risk.

Avoid Operational Delays

In addition to improving environmental and facility safety, inspections of your subsea pipelines are key to ensuring your business runs efficiently—especially if your pipelines are used to transport oil, gas, or other industrial products. Early detection of structural damage helps mitigate the emergence of leaks and cracks. If undetected, structural issues can cause your operations to slow down or even come to a temporary halt.

Prevent Expensive Future Repairs

One of the biggest advantages of subsea pipeline inspections is the prevention of structural damage. This includes leaks, gas escapes, oil spills, cracks, dents, and more. These types of damage can be extremely costly and affect your business’s economic performance—especially if they aren’t detected on time. Replacing pipelines is extremely expensive and difficult, requiring specialized equipment and highly skilled teams.

Contact UESI Louisiana Today!

If you’re looking for 100% professional, reliable, and efficient subsea pipeline inspections, don’t hesitate to contact the team at UESI Louisiana. We’ve been leaders in the underwater engineering industry since 1977. Our highly qualified teams offer inspection, repair, and subsea construction services. Visit our website today and learn more about our services and certifications.

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