When it comes to ensuring the safety and integrity of critical infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines, the importance of accurate pipeline material verification data cannot be overstated.

Out in the field, even small data discrepancies can have far-reaching consequences. Inaccurate data can skew yield or tensile strength estimates by up to 25%, leading to incorrect pipe grading and potentially catastrophic operational failures. This is why data confidence isn’t just an advantage — it’s essential.

A recent independent report put the PLX-Portable and three other leading material verification technologies to the test in a rigorous head-to-head comparison of their accuracy levels. The results were clear: our PLX-Portable outperformed the competition, achieving a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.6% and delivering industry-leading accuracy for seamless pipes.

Superior accuracy, under any conditions

This report was commissioned and overseen by the PRCI, a global collaborative research development organisation that supports projects aimed at improving the safety and reliability of pipelines. The PRCI team leading this project included individuals from several industry-leading companies, including TC Energy, Rosen, and Kinder Morgan. With support from these key companies, Blade Energy Partners, an independent consulting company known for their expertise in the energy industry, analysed pipeline material verification data compiled by the four vendors and organised the findings for the final report.

Blind yield and tensile strength measurements were taken by the four competing technologies as a means of assessing their accuracy levels across various pipe grades. This approach, wherein the tool operators were blind to the benchmark yield and tensile measurements they were measured against, simulated the real-world conditions of most pipeline inspection crews.

The PLX-Portable (figure 1) achieved a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.6% for measuring yield and tensile strength, meaning that, on average, the predictions made by PLX-Portable were only 3.6% off from the actual measured values. The number achieved by the PLX-Portable is the lowest in the industry by a substantial margin, highlighting the technology’s accuracy in predicting pipeline strength.

In industries where material strength is critical and accurate data can be the difference between business as usual and catastrophic failure, reducing the margin for error and increasing the reliability of material testing data is key. For pipeline operators, access to reliable data translates into more informed decision-making and safer pipelines.

Accurate data anytime, anywhere.

The PLX-Portable’s superior accuracy can be traced back to the underlying methodology that guides the testing process: Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry, or PIP for short. The PIP method extracts stress-strain curves from indent profiles using accelerated inverse finite element analysis in a matter of minutes. Developed by a team of University of Cambridge scientists over the span of nearly two decades, the PIP methodology has been adopted by industry giants such as NASA, MIT, and Renishaw via the PLX-Benchtop (figure 2) to streamline their mechanical testing processes and unlock new insights into their material properties.

Following the success of the PLX-Benchtop, in late 2023, the PLX-Portable was unveiled. This robust device has been designed for in-field testing of high-value metal assets to support positive material identification, in-situ monitoring of material degradation over time, and asset and component life extension calculations. The PLX-Portable is engineered with the end user in mind, with both hardware and software working together seamlessly to provide an intuitive and efficient user experience.

Streamlined testing: Surface preparation is simple, requiring a p600-1000 finish that takes minutes to achieve on even the roughest pipelines. Each test takes just 30-minutes per quadrant, with report-ready results available immediately on-site.

Rapid training and deployment: Inspection crews can be trained in two-days, minimising downtime and speeding up deployment. Automated testing and system safeguards limit data uncertainties and reduce the risk of technician error, ensuring reliable material verification data straight out of the ditch.

Real-Time Data: Users have immediate access to fully compliant, report-ready test results via our cloud-based platform. This enables rapid decision-making from the office or the field, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of operations.

A new industry benchmark

With the PLX-Portable, users can trust that their material verification data is setting the highest standard in the industry. These unmatched accuracy levels mark a significant milestone in the field of pipeline material verification, where reliable data is paramount but often hard to guarantee. The PLX-Portable’s industry-leading MAPE score and its ability to accurately predict critical strength parameters, even under challenging conditions, will ensure that pipeline operators have access to the best possible information. This, in turn, directly translates to safer pipelines, fewer unplanned shutdowns, and extended asset lifespans.

“These industry-leading accuracy levels are a testament to the years of research and development that have gone into creating a device that truly delivers on its promise of reliability. These results underscore the importance of having reliable data, and we are proud to provide a solution that operators can depend on for their most critical tasks.”

Dr. James Dean, CEO of Plastometrex.

The success of the PLX-Portable stems directly from Plastometrex’s commitment to championing innovation. By setting a new benchmark for pipeline integrity, we’re working to raise standards across the industry and ensure a more resilient global infrastructure. In an industry where the stakes are high and data is king, the PLX-Portable empowers decision-makers with the information they need to ensure that safety, compliance, and integrity are never compromised.

Learn more about the PLX-Portable here.