KTP Complete: Advancing Intelligent Inspection Through Academic Collaboration

In January 2023, Cokebusters began a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Strathclyde, supported by the West of Scotland KTP Centre, the Welsh Government and Innovate UK. The aim was to accelerate the development of next-generation intelligent inspection technology, strengthen our in-house expertise and ensure we remain at the forefront of pipeline and process inspection as the energy sector continues to evolve.

As the collaboration reaches its conclusion, we’re proud to report that this Knowledge Transfer Partnership has been formally assessed and awarded Grade A (Outstanding) – the highest possible accolade. Congratulations go to Dr Chris Peyton on this fantastic achievement!

Reflecting on the project as a whole, the KTP has delivered meaningful technical progress, embedded specialist inspection capability within the business and laid strong foundations for continued innovation through academic collaboration.

From Ambition to Engineering Progress

The KTP was established with a clear technical objective: to develop a next-generation inline inspection tool capable of delivering improved circumferential pipe wall coverage and enhanced defect detection, increasing the probability of detection (POD) for critical features within the pipe wall.

Alongside this, the project sought to embed advanced inspection expertise within the organisation, ensuring that new knowledge and capability would remain part of the business long after the formal partnership concluded.

The project began with a detailed review of existing inspection tools and methodologies. While extending established design principles was initially considered, simulation work highlighted inherent limitations in achievable coverage and sensitivity. This analysis prompted a change in direction.

Rather than refining existing architectures, the project moved towards a new approach – applied in a compact, untethered inspection tool format suitable for complex and constrained pipeline geometries.

Developing a New Generation of Smart Pig Technology

This shift in approach led to the development of a new single-bodied inspection tool, representing a significant advancement in intelligent pig design.

The new tool offers substantially improved inspection coverage and accuracy compared to previous generations, enabling earlier and more reliable detection of defects and features within the pipe wall. Development of the Mark VII Smart Pig is now well advanced, with final electronic testing underway and deployment targeted for later this year.

In parallel, the technical review carried out during the KTP enabled targeted improvements to existing inspection tools and services. These refinements have strengthened overall reliability, performance and maintainability across our current inspection portfolio, delivering immediate operational benefit alongside longer-term innovation.

The Value of Academic Collaboration

A defining strength of the project was the close working relationship with the University of Strathclyde, whose specialist knowledge and guidance helped maintain technical rigour and momentum throughout the KTP.

Regular engagement ensured that ideas were challenged, tested and refined, combining academic insight with practical engineering experience. This collaborative approach accelerated development and ensured the project remained focused on solutions that could be applied effectively in real-world operating environments.

Additional support from the Welsh Government enabled conference and exhibition attendance, providing valuable exposure to wider industry developments. This included the opportunity for the project’s technical work to be presented at PTC Berlin 2025, where the new Smart Pig concept was shared with an international technical audience.

Building Capability for the Long Term

The completion of the KTP marks not an endpoint, but a transition. Following the successful delivery of the project, Dr Chris Peyton has taken up a permanent role within Cokebusters as NDT Development Engineer, continuing to strengthen our Technology Team and drive further innovation.

The impact of the partnership is also reflected in its continuation. A second Knowledge Transfer Partnership, focused on applying machine learning to inspection analysis and reporting, is now underway. This builds directly on the foundations established since 2023 and reflects a strong, ongoing relationship with the University of Strathclyde.

A Model for Practical Innovation

The completion of this Knowledge Transfer Partnership represents an important milestone for Cokebusters. It has delivered tangible technical advancements, strengthened internal expertise and demonstrated the value of collaboration between industry and academia in addressing complex inspection challenges.

As asset owners continue to seek greater certainty, efficiency and insight from inspection data, partnerships like this play a vital role in ensuring new technologies are developed and deployed in ways that deliver real operational value.

We’d like to thank all organisations involved for their support and contribution to the project, and we look forward to sharing further updates as the outcomes of this work continue to be realised in service.