Guide to Pipeline Hydrostatic Testing
In the United States, there are more than 2.6 million miles of pipelines. These pipelines deliver natural gas and liquid petroleum products every year.
When transporting these important fuel resources, pipeline systems are one of the safest modes of transportation. Ensuring that these systems operate correctly is crucial.
Organizations like the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are dedicated to advancing pipeline transportation while prioritizing the safety of people and the environment.
One important procedure that state and federal regulations require is the hydrostatic testing of pipelines.
So, if you are part of a pipeline construction project or even a repair project, you may wonder: what is hydrostatic testing? Why is it important, and what does it tell us about our pipelines?
Keep reading to learn more about hydrostatic testing in pipelines as well as recommended procedures.
Guide to Pipeline Hydrostatic Testing
What is Hydrostatic Testing?
Even if you’ve heard the term before, you may be unsure what hydrostatic testing means.
Generally, hydrostatic testing refers to the process of testing specific pressure vessels, such as tanks, plumbing systems, and pipelines.
This testing examines the strength of these vessels’ pressurization. Additionally, hydrostatic testing also allows you to identify and locate leaks in these vessels, which can weaken the vessel’s strength.
While the goal of testing a vessel’s strength and locating any leaks remains the same, the procedure will differ depending on the type of vessel.
Hydrostatic Testing Pipelines & Pipeline Systems
Overall, hydrostatic testing pipelines is a popular procedure.
In pipelines, this testing is usually required when a new pipeline has been constructed. The PHMSA also allows this same testing procedure on existing pipelines.
Hydrostatic testing pipelines is a procedure used to ensure the pipeline’s operational fitness as well as it’s MAOP or maximum allowable operating pressure.
It is also important to know that there are various factors that can change the pressure within a pipeline during testing.
Some of these variables include temperature, elevation, water source, air pockets, and inadequate stabilization.
So, factors like changes in temperature or air pockets in your pipeline can affect the pressure and overall test outcome.
American Pipeline Solutions’ Hydrostatic Testing Procedure
To give you a better idea of what to expect when testing your pipelines, we’ve broken down our testing process at American Pipeline Solutions below.
FILLING THE PIPELINE
Hydrostatic testing starts with filling your pipeline. APS has high flow pumps that are used when filling a pipe for testing.
Next, the pipeline’s pressure is brought to the proper test pressure. This is done using a “squeeze” pump that is equipped with a stroke counter, depending on the required specified minimum yield strength or SMYS.
MONITORING PIPELINE PRESSURE
Once your pipeline has a good line fill, our technicians at APS use monitoring equipment to determine your pipeline’s pressure.
This equipment includes certified and calibrated deadweights, recorders, and digital gauges. Using these devices, APS is able to monitor and record your pipeline pressure during the hydrostatic testing process.
AFTER TESTING IS COMPLETE
When APS technicians have confirmed that testing is complete to industry standards and the client’s satisfaction, they begin to depressurize the pipeline.
This depressurizing process is done carefully to ensure that the line’s pressure complies with industry code and standards.
Maintain Your Pipeline With Unmatched Testing Services
By and large, the fitness of your pipelines is crucial to your business and safety. So, utilizing the best possible hydrostatic testing services is vital to the success of your pipelines and your business.
At American Pipeline Solutions, we are dedicated to helping clients with timely and affordable services for their pipeline needs.
With 100 years of combined experience, APS is able to provide comprehensive hydrostatic testing services for pressure pipelines. The team at APS is able to clean and hydrostatically test pipelines with a diameter of up to 48 inches. Additionally, APS can pressure test pipelines up to 10,000 pounds per square inch (PSI).
In addition to hydrostatic testing for pipelines, other services that APS offers include pigging, testing and drying services.
Wondering what the right hydrostatic testing option is for your needs?
Contact American Pipeline Solutions today at (201) 525-0088 to find the right hydrostatic testing solution for your pipelines.