API St 1163-2021 PDF

Full title and description

API Standard 1163 — In-Line Inspection Systems Qualification (API Std 1163), Third Edition (2021). Establishes performance-based requirements for qualification, selection, reporting, verification, validation, and use of in‑line inspection (ILI) systems for onshore and offshore steel gas and hazardous‑liquid pipelines. (Document commonly referenced as API 1163 or St API St 1163-2021.)

Abstract

API Std 1163 (3rd ed., 2021) is an umbrella, performance‑based standard that defines how ILI systems, personnel, procedures, equipment and associated software should be qualified and assessed. It sets out verification and validation practices (including Level‑2 and Level‑3 validations), reporting requirements, and performance metrics such as probability of detection (POD), probability of identification (POI) and probability of reporting (POR). The standard supports consistent, auditable ILI performance assessments across operators and service providers.

General information

• Status: Current / Active (third edition in force as the technical edition published 2021).
• Publication date: 1 September 2021 (3rd edition).
• Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API).
• ICS / categories: Typically classified under pipeline and petroleum industry codes (commonly aligned with ICS 75.200 — petroleum products and natural gas handling equipment / pipeline transportation systems).
• Edition / version: 3rd Edition (API STD 1163, Sept. 1, 2021).
• Number of pages: 113 pages (published PDF/page count as listed by standards distributors).

Scope

Specifies qualification and performance requirements for in‑line inspection systems used to detect and characterize pipeline conditions (metal loss, cracks, mechanical damage, geometry, mapping, etc.) for onshore and offshore steel pipelines conveying gas and hazardous liquids. Applies to tethered, self‑propelled and free‑flowing ILI tools and to both established and emerging technologies; covers procedures, personnel qualification, equipment and software needed to produce defensible ILI results.

Key topics and requirements

• System qualification process and acceptance criteria for ILI tools and methods.
• Personnel qualification, roles and responsibilities for operators and service providers.
• Performance specifications including statistically derived POD, POI and sizing accuracy, and how these combine into Probability of Reporting (POR).
• Verification (check that inspections meet the plan) and Validation (compare field NDE to ILI results) across Level‑1/2/3 approaches, with guidance for statistical and Bayesian methods.
• Reporting, data management, and requirements for software and analysis processes.
• Operational validation, results qualification (Outcome 1/2/3), and quality management system expectations for ILI projects.
• Guidance for establishing acceptance limits and for interpreting sizing/tolerance in integrity assessments.

Typical use and users

Used by pipeline operators, integrity engineers, ILI service providers, third‑party inspectors, regulators and consultants to qualify ILI tools and processes, to prepare ILI performance specifications, and to verify/validate inspection campaigns. Also used as a reference for auditing ILI projects and for regulatory compliance planning.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside and cross‑referenced with companion standards and practices such as NACE SP0102 (In‑line Inspection of Pipelines), ANSI/ASNT ILI‑PQ (In‑Line Inspection Personnel Qualification & Certification), ASME B31.8S (pipeline integrity management guidance) and other API pipeline integrity/management publications (for example API RP 1160, API RP 1173). Regulatory texts (U.S. DOT/PHMSA) have historically referenced earlier editions of API 1163 and companion standards.

Keywords

In‑line inspection, ILI, smart pig, tool qualification, verification, validation, probability of detection (POD), probability of identification (POI), probability of reporting (POR), pipeline integrity, API 1163, ILI performance specification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: API Standard 1163 (3rd Edition, 2021) is a performance‑based standard that defines how to qualify, select, verify, validate and report results from in‑line inspection (ILI) systems used on steel gas and hazardous‑liquid pipelines.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers ILI system qualification (tools, procedures, personnel, software), ILI performance specifications, verification and validation methods (Level‑2 and Level‑3), reporting requirements, data management and quality systems needed to ensure consistent, auditable ILI results.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Pipeline operators, ILI service vendors, integrity and inspection engineers, regulators, and third‑party auditors/consultants use API 1163 to define and assess ILI campaigns and tool performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 3rd edition was published on 1 Sept 2021 and is the current technical edition of API 1163. Note that regulatory incorporations (for example U.S. federal rules) have historically referred to earlier editions; regulatory adoption can lag behind technical publication, so users should confirm which edition is required by their local rules or contracts.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — API 1163 is part of the broader API pipeline / integrity suite of standards and is intended to be used with companion standards (NACE, ASNT, ASME, and other API RPs) that together address personnel qualification, in‑line inspection practice and pipeline integrity management.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: In‑line inspection, ILI, smart pig, qualification, verification, validation, POD, POI, POR, pipeline integrity, API 1163.