Status of In-Line Inspection Surveys and Repairs:

On August 3, 2000, the Olympic Pipe Line Company finished internally inspecting its entire 400-mile pipeline system using high resolution geometry and magnetic flux (MFL) in-line inspection (ILI) tools to detect potentially damaging pipe deformations and metal loss. An ultrasonic inspection tool survey, to further characterize any metal loss or discontinuities, was completed on June 30, 2000 for the Ferndale to Allen segment of the system.

The Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) representatives, OPS-retained third party expert, Olympic engineers, and the ILI vendor experts reviewed the results of these ILI inspections. The ILI tests results were first examined to ensure that there were no imminent threats to the integrity of any part of the pipeline system. OPS, Olympic, and the ILI representative reviewed the ILI results to identify any detected pipe anomalies that warrant excavation, evaluation, and repairs or replacement where required. Strict OPS investigation and repair criteria are being used to assess and evaluate the ILI data, and enact any needed repairs on the pipeline.

The evaluation and repair activities are nearing completion for the 16-inch pipeline segment. There are two remaining sites awaiting permitting to be evaluated for possible repair. Both these sites were successfully pressure tested in May of 2001. The 16-inch pipeline is operating at a reduced pressure until the evaluation of these sites and the survey of the pipeline with a Transverse Field In-Line Inspection Tool (TFI). After the evaluation of the remaining sites and the review of the TFI data the pipeline will be returned to full service when the appropriate repairs are complete.

Bellingham Status

LAST UPDATE 08/09/2001