Gareth Mugford, Product Manager, Eddyfi Technologies, outlines how phased array ultrasonic testing offers precision in pipeline integrity assessments.
Pipeline integrity is paramount in the oil and gas sector to ensure the safe transportation of hydrocarbons from production sites to processing facilities, and eventually to end consumers. Maintaining pipeline integrity involves a comprehensive approach that includes regular inspection, monitoring, and maintenance activities to mitigate the risk of leaks, corrosion, and other potential failures that could result in environmental damage, safety hazards, and economic losses.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) plays a crucial role in assessing the integrity of pipelines without causing damage to the structures be-ing inspected. NDT techniques utilise various physical principles to detect defects, anomalies, and weaknesses in pipelines, allowing operators to take corrective actions before failures occur.
The selection of NDT techniques for pipeline integrity assessment depends on various factors including pipeline material, diameter, location, environmental conditions, and regulatory requirements. By utilising a combination of NDT techniques, operators can effectively identify and mitigate potential threats to pipeline integrity, ensuring safe and reliable operations in the oil and gas sector.
Advantages of phased array ultrasonic testing
Weld inspection
In recent years, phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) has emerged as a preferred method for weld inspection in pipelines, offering numerous advantages over traditional radiographic testing (RT).
- Safety and environmental concerns: PAUT eliminates the need for radiation, addressing safety concerns associated with RT. By utilising sound waves instead of radiation, PAUT ensures the safety of technicians and the environment, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable option.
- Enhanced efficiency: PAUT offers faster and more efficient testing compared to RT. With the ability to automate the testing process and provide real-time feedback, PAUT significantly reduces testing time and associated costs. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for large-scale pipeline projects where time is of the essence.
- Superior resolution and accuracy: PAUT provides superior resolution and accuracy, detecting smaller flaws and providing detailed information about their size, nature, and location. This high level of accuracy ensures thorough inspection, reducing the risk of undetected defects and potential pipeline failures.
- Versatility: PAUT is highly versatile and can be used on a wide range of materials and structures, including those with complex geometries or variable thickness. This versatility makes PAUT suitable for various pipeline configurations, ensuring comprehensive inspection coverage.
- Digital data management: PAUT generates digital data that can be easily stored, reviewed, and shared. This facilitates seamless communication and collaboration among stakeholders, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the inspection process.
Austenitic stainless-steel inspection
PAUT offers a solution for the challenges posed by inspecting austenitic stainless-steel welds. Austenitic materials possess an anisotropic coarse-grain structure, causing specific behaviours of the ultrasonic beam, such as high attenuation, significant grain noise, and beam distortion. Traditional inspection methods struggle to provide accurate results due to these characteristics.
To overcome these challenges, Eddyfi Technologies offers specialised packages tailored for austenitic weld inspection. These packages enhance flaw detection and characterisation, ensuring highly optimised solutions for various applications. For effective inspection of stainless steel and dissimilar metal welds, low-frequency Dual 2D Matrix Array (DMA) probes are typically used. These probes generate longitudinal waves that prop-agate well through coarse-grain austenitic material...
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