Olympic Pipeline says there are alternatives to water-pressure testing that work just as well, cost less, and do not involve using large amounts of water. Why not accept those methods?
Olympic prefers to run internal “smart pigs” instead of performing water-pressure testing. A new experimental tool (Transverse Field Inspection – TFI) was run through the Seattle Lateral last May. It identified 131 potential seam weld defects. Olympic plans to inspect only 14 of these potential defects in the next three years. There is too much uncertainty with this new experimental tool. The only way to ensure that this pipeline can withstand the pressure of its operation is to fill it up with water, and pressurize it.
