Subsea Pipeline Scan (SPS)

Scansolution’s Subsea Pipeline Scan offers a non-intrusive inspection solution for assessing the internal condition of offshore and subsea pipelines. This advanced diagnostic method provides real-time insights into internal blockages and flow conditions without disrupting operation, enabling efficient maintenance planning and improved operational reliability.

Overview

Non-intrusive subsea pipeline inspection using gamma ray transmission to detect annulus water ingress, deposit build-up and locate stuck pigs without removing marine growth or interrupting production.

What Is Subsea Pipeline Scan (SPS)?

Scansolution® Subsea Pipeline Scan (SPS) is a non-intrusive online diagnostic technique that uses gamma ray transmission to inspect subsea pipelines and pipe-in-pipe (PIP) systems. It is deployable by ROV or diver and delivers instant results while pipelines remain in service.

 

Proven deepwater capability: Scansolution subsea scan equipment has been used on offshore projects at water depths of more than 1500 m, delivering results that met the customer scope of work.

Key outcomes from SPS:

  • Detect water ingress in pipe-in-pipe annulus and flexible pipe annulus
  • Identify and quantify deposit or sediment build-up
  • Accurately locate stuck or lost pigs in subsea flowlines

Applications

  • Pipe-in-pipe and flexible pipe annulus water ingress assessment
  • Wax, scale and sand build-up identification
  • Stuck pig location in subsea flowlines
  • Integrity screening of unpiggable pipelines

Benefits

  • Non-intrusive, no coating or marine growth removal
  • ROV or diver deployable
  • Real-time, actionable results
  • Safe, certified offshore operations

Extended Applications of Subsea Pipeline Scan (SPS)

In addition to annulus water ingress assessment, deposit build-up identification, and stuck pig location, Scansolution® Subsea Pipeline Scan (SPS) can be applied to a wider range of offshore diagnostic and integrity screening challenges.

SPS uses non-intrusive gamma transmission measurements to identify changes in density profile along subsea pipelines, supporting informed operational and integrity decisions without removing marine growth or interrupting production.

Integrity & Flow Assurance Applications

  • Internal blockage and partial restriction screening  Identification of localised high-density zones associated with wax, sand, hydrate formation, sludge, or debris accumulation.
  • Pig tracking and pig passage verification  Confirmation of pig position or passage during offshore pigging campaigns.
  • Deposit distribution profiling  Identification of uneven deposit accumulation zones along defined pipeline sections.

Pipe-in-Pipe & Flexible Pipeline Applications

  • Pipe-in-pipe annulus condition mapping  Assessment of annulus condition changes supporting integrity screening and life-extension studies.
  • Flexible pipe annulus integrity screening  Non-intrusive detection of abnormal density changes associated with annulus fluid ingress.

Operational & Lifecycle Support Applications

  • Post-intervention or post-cleaning verification  Confirmation of deposit, debris, or pig-remnant removal prior to restart.
  • Integrity screening of unpiggable pipelines  Screening tool where pigging or inline inspection is not feasible.
  • Life-extension and decommissioning support  Identification of internal contents and obstructions to support safe late-life and abandonment planning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can SPS be performed without removing marine growth or concrete weight coating?

Yes. SPS is non-intrusive and designed to work through typical subsea coatings and marine growth.

 

Yes. The scanning frame can be deployed by work-class ROV or diver.

In many cases, SPS can be performed with the pipeline in service as it is external and non-intrusive.

Plan Your Next Subsea Pipeline Inspection