A key industry report by Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI), a leading global research organisation focused on advancing pipeline safety and reliability, and Blade Energy Partners (Blade), an expert consultancy specialising in engineering solutions for the energy sector, has confirmed the superior accuracy levels of Plastometrex’s PLX-Portable on seamless pipe, a non-destructive tool for in-situ material verification of oil and gas transmission pipelines.
With support from a project team that included representatives from leading engineering companies and major oil and gas operators including TC Energy and Phillips 66, the report – “In Ditch Material Verification for Fittings and Seamless Pipe” – compares blind yield and tensile strength measurements that were obtained from seamless pipe samples using four competing material verification technologies.
Findings reveal that the PLX-Portable has achieved a new industry-leading MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) value of 3.6% for seamless pipe yield and tensile strength. MAPE is a common assessment method in the pipeline industry, where a lower value indicates better performance.
Find out more about the PLX-Portable
The impressive MAPE value achieved by the PLX-Portable is attributed to Plastometrex’s proprietary PIP (Profilometry-based Indentation Plastometry) technology, renowned with industry heavyweights for its accuracy, simplicity of use, and robust safeguards that eliminate data uncertainties. The test completes in just 30 minutes per quadrant, requires minimal surface preparation, and provides fully compliant data reporting, with test results that are accessible immediately in the ditch and to off-site colleagues via a cloud-based platform. With its straightforward and largely automated processes, technicians can be trained within two days, facilitating quick upskilling to meet increasing test demands.
Dr James Dean, CEO of Plastometrex, commented on the PRCI report, stating:
"We are delighted but unsurprised with the outcome of the PRCI round-robin project, which sought to confirm which of the competing tools was most accurate on seamless pipes and fittings. The results from our tool have set a new industry benchmark of 3.6% for MAPE on seamless pipe, meaning pipe operators and inspection companies can benefit from higher levels of confidence and accuracy when they use our tools for their important and safety-critical work. This level of accuracy, combined with fast, straightforward testing and real-time report-ready data, underscores our commitment to helping inspection providers deliver data that operators can depend on for grade identification, life-extension, and MAOP reconfirmation calculations.”
The confirmation of PLX-Portable’s superior accuracy on seamless pipes marks a significant advancement in pipeline material verification, promising enhanced safety and performance for operators in the field.
Find out more about the PLX-Portable here.
