Design and implementation of cloud platform for pipeline in-line inspection (ILI) data management

Pipeline in-line inspection (ILI) data are characterized by large volume, complicated structure, multiple sources, and difficulties in management and utilization. To fully present values of ILI data and provide fast and effective support for decision-making related to pipeline integrity management, cloud techniques, which can be used for centralized management of dispersed and idle computing and storage resources using virtualization technology, have been deployed to construct a cloud platform covering the entire process from ILI organization, storage, distribution, to management and utilization. The newly developed platform may be used for fast, safe, high-efficiency and sustainable management of ILI data. In addition, cloud resource pools can be expanded easily in accordance with increases of data volumes to meet the increasing demands for computing storage. In this way, ILI data can be uploaded, retrieved and analyzed without being subject to time, location, materials and client restrictions in pipeline integrity management. In addition to reducing hardware investment and saving a lot of labor, materials and time cost, the newly developed platform may further explore potentials of ILI data to provide vital support for identification of pipeline risks and corresponding repair and maintenance.