3. INTRODUCTION
U.S Government regulations call for waterways to be 100-ft wider to
maintain a minimal cover of 48”. And, this is so because pipeline crossings
need to be inspected at least once in every 5 years. In most cases, the
operating agencies perform surveys in 3 years or at a greater regularity
rate for crossings and fast flowing rivers where erosion is suspected, or
where flooded conditions are experienced.
4. This is an obligation by PHMSA Regulations that pipeline water crossings
need to be monitored frequently and protected. Pipeline operators must hire
a top-grade, well-seasoned waterway inspections Mississippi team to ensure
the safety and well-being of their water crossings.
5. Here’s how the conventional survey is:
Earlier, it required extensive diver labor to probe pipelines that are believed to
have traversed the rivers. This process is carried out using a diver boat followed by
a couple of divers and a single tender (if it is a large river). Smaller crossing
inspections are performed with substandard equipment and less field recruits to
maneuver out of a smaller vessel. A diver, with a marinized pipeline detector,
interjects the water-equipped using a bar, so he could keep probing until he hits
the line.
The diver, then, assesses the cover-depth with the help of familiarized anatomy
measurements of the bar or his arm or leg. Following this, he transmits data to
the surface team, who then take imprecise position with the help of Differential
Global Positioning System (DGPS).
There’s been many such instances where cover extent is found enough to feed the
inspection conditions.
6. How often pipeline episodes occur in
water crossings?
Flood, washing away a segment of riverbed causing pipelines’ exposure
and susceptibility to breakage, is a rare incident. This occurrence is also
called scouring. According to a recent study by PHMSA, 0.3% of pipeline
occurrences had a cover loss at water crossings over the last 20 years
and as a contributing factor.
7. Since there’s an industry-wide demand for frequent and effective water
crossing inspections, Central States Underwater (CSU) implements highly
expedient and affordable inspection programs for water crossings.
How can CSU be helpful here?
8. • They inspect crossings and determine the cover-depth. Identify the areas
that are prone to erosions and also detect water channel changes.
• They put their best team forward to create metrics and identify priority
crossings based on: scour potential, channel migration, cover-depth,
impending debris and consequences.
• Opt for perpetual mitigation action and implement as per priority ranking:
HDDs, freshly trenched crossings beneath the scour depth, extra fill, rock
drops, bank stabilization.
• Continued real-time screening program for flooded conditions utilizing
USGS Water Alert System. Besides, they also perform preemptive snow
level monitoring before running off using pre-determined flow rate
triggers.
• Continued leak detection for alterations in the flow rates of pressure of
the pipeline.
9. CONCLUSION
What we deduce now is that CSU makes the wisest choice as a waterway
inspection Louisiana-based company. They are comprehensive,
approachable and affordable.
10. CONTACT INFORMATION
Website : https://www.csugulfcoast.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CentralStatesUnderwater
https://twitter.com/CSUDiving
https://www.linkedin.com/company/central-states-gulf-coast-
csu-inc.-?trk=prof-0-ovw-curr_pos