Immersion Ultrasonic Testing (IUT) is part of the AUT validation procedure for the girth weld inspection to enhance the level of accuracy and reduce the cost of production.
The new technique will allow Exova to identify an increasing number of defects, such as cracking, porosity, incomplete penetration, inclusions, lack of sidewall fusion and related defects in the pipeline.
Exova Netherlands operational manager Sander van Nieuwenhuijzen said that due to the increased demands on pipeline integrity, it is important that any defect in the welds are detected, accurately located, sized and reported quickly.
"The new testing method offers better inspection detection and sizing capabilities helping NDT companies to improve their POD and sizing accuracy, as extreme critical analysis can be performed," Nieuwenhuijzen said.
