Failure Analysis & Material Evaluation Of Pipelines

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Owners manage the integrity of above-ground and buried pipelines with numerous systems and processes. However, there can be unforeseeable circumstances or system breakdowns which precipitate failures of piping and auxiliary equipment. Our highly experienced engineers can perform failure analysis, evaluate material properties, suggest alternatives to materials, testing/monitoring procedures to help Owners prevent future occurrences. As part of the failure investigation/product evaluation, engineers assess the components in the field and/or laboratory which may include:

 

• Detailed analysis of pipeline fracture surface to determine failure mode/mechanism

• Determine if pipe meets the specified mechanical and chemical properties with laboratory testing

• Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate material microstructure, flaws, and fracture surfaces

• Determine the presence of bacteria involved in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)

• Identify the type of corrosion scales and foreign debris using x-ray diffraction (XRD) or energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy

• Perform burst testing of pipe to predict failure pressures, strain, and fracture mode

• Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) testing to determine critical allowable flaw sizes in pipe welds

• Provide independent failure analysis and reports for regulatory bodies

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Committed To Excellence

Committed to delivering a higher level of reliability, NDT provides an unrivaled spectrum of services to support the safe operation of industrial assets. We have programs to manage risk in all environments as well as robust programs to manage resources, equipment, personnel, environmental practice, audit, reporting, safety, and customer stewardship expectations. Our expertise in weld inspection, crack sizing, corrosion mechanisms, and deformation has made us the first call for natural gas and liquid pipeline operators across all climates.

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Our integrated core competencies within Pipeline Integrity ensure a turnkey solution with maximized savings to our customers. Our multi-certified experts paired with the industry’s most advanced technology ensures we complete every job efficiently. NDT's proprietary equipment allows us to complete the job in less than half the time with 2-3x the data collected, saving on construction crews downtime.Our goal is to provide pipeline integrity programs, services, and threat management programs to meet the increasing demands of our pipeline customers. Years of training and resources ensure that we deliver value through our pipeline integrity programs that surpasses that of our competition.

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Execution Excellence: Dedicated pipeline integrity operation ensuring safety, quality and scope execution excellence
Specialization: Technicians specifically trained and dedicated to supporting pipeline integrity programs rather than general NDE technicians
Damage Mechanism Capabilities: Technicians have specific and intimate damage mechanism identification capabilities
Scalability: NDT has a pipeline integrity technicians available
Multiple Disciplines: Our pipeline integrity technicians have experience in multiple disciplines: coatings, cathodic protection, soils geology, inline inspection and NDE
Program Management: Verification of log data, interpretation of inspection results and threat management

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Dedicated Personnel

 

• We employ technicians that are trained, capable, and certified in:

  • NACE

  • CWI/CWB

  • PAUT

  • Corrosion Mapping

  • Guided Wave

  • TOFD

  • OES

  • PEC

  • MT

  • PT

• A better understanding of pipeline defect mechanisms resulting in more accurate anomaly evaluations

• Better productivity/efficiency in ditch reducing overall cost per dig

• More consistent and higher quality reports

• In-house Operator Qualification management (EWN, ISN/NCCER, Veriforce) allows Acuren to ensure inspectors are certified and qualified for tasks performed

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