5 Techniques Used by NDT Professionals For Inspection in the Oil & Gas Industry

Non Destructive Testing (NDT) is a common phenomenon in the Oil & Gas industry. In order to address various issues regarding equipment performance, component reliability, environmental protection, and government regulations, several different inspection methods are used by NDT professionals to achieve complete safety in operations—without causing any interruptions or shut down. For instance, equipment for transporting petroleum products are inspected without making any structural changes. Though it’s not possible to present an exhaustive discussion on all methods, this blog talks about 5 popular techniques used by NDT professionals for inspection in the Oil & Gas Industry. Each of these methods is explained in NDT Certification training, followed by a qualitative discussion of its implementation.

• Ultrasonic techniques
  Ultrasonic testing involves the use of sound waves with frequencies 50 kHz to 50 MHz above the audible range for the human ear. The piezoelectric effect of the ultrasonic transducer allows for transmission and receiving of frequencies from within the equipment, making it possible to inspect the internal structure of equipment, and detect cracks, voids, delamination, thickness changes, welds, and other types of material or structural defects. Data acquisition and evaluation depends on the expertise of the NDT technician.
   
• Radiography
  In the Oil and Gas industry, Radiography as an NDT method is extremely useful for inspecting welds on pipelines and pressure vessels. Radiographic methods involve the use of electromagnetic radiation (gamma rays) or X-ray to inspect the internal structure and integrity of equipment. As the wavelengths of these rays are short, they are able to penetrate and travel through structural materials, such as metals and metallic alloys. The method is also useful for inspecting non-metallic materials, for example, concrete and ceramics.
   
• Thermography
  Thermography as an NDT inspection method measures differences between the temperature of a pipeline and the surrounding environment. Apart from detecting defects in pipeline insulation, this technique also helps in detecting leakage of oil and gas. When used along with drone services, this method makes inspection way more efficient and cost-effective.
   
• Visual Inspection 
  Visual inspection is one of the most cost-effective inspection methods for detecting equipment flaws and defects. A trained technician with NDT certification utilizes his knowledge and skills to detect improper structural installations, welding flaws, certain types of impending structural failure, corrosion development, cracks, and more.
   
• Acoustic emissions
  Acoustic emissions are targeted towards detecting the presence of rarefaction waves produced by leaks in pipelines. Whenever there is a fluid leak, negative pressure waves start propagating within the pipeline in both directions.

Become an NDT professional with NDTCS

Planning to take NDT as a career? Start with your NDT certification course with NDTCS today! Apart from making our students familiar with this highly reputable and rewarding profession, we also provide them with much-needed training on testing and inspection of various components.