A major international airport operator needed to assess the condition and performance of a 6-in. diameter carbon steel jet fuel pipeline spanning 1.1 miles. The line had only undergone flow testing. No inspection tools had ever been run through pipeline. With multiple airline stakeholders requiring alignment before work could proceed, and failure not an option on a critical fuel delivery system, the project demanded a disciplined, phased approach.
Paxon reviewed all as-builts and above-ground piping configurations before implementing a progressive pigging strategy. The sequence began with a proving pig, followed by a gauge pig to assess mechanical clearance through bends. When minor damage appeared on the gauging pig, Paxon deployed a caliper tool. The tool completed a successful run and confirmed clearance to proceed with the inline inspection (ILI) smart tool.
The airport operator now has a complete picture of their pipeline’s condition and a data-driven foundation for long- term maintenance planning. While jet fuel is not highly corrosive, changes in fuel composition over time can affect pipe wall performance. The inspection data supports proactive monitoring, informed decision-making, and asset protection for years to come.
Integrity Management
Targeted cleaning, inspection, and Gas Recompression across Tennessee and Georgia including offline caliper runs on 12-in. lines and recompression on two 14-in. pipelines to eliminate atmospheric venting.
Whether you need methane recovery support, emissions compliance, or asset management solutions, our team is ready to help.