The RTD INCOTEST (INsulated COmponent TESTing) system was developed in partnership with Delta SubSea and uses the latest Pulsed Eddy Current technology to ensure reliable detection of surface and subsurface corrosion in both thin and thick-walled pipelines.
The tool allows operators to perform up to 10,000 measurements a day at depths as great as 3,000 meters (9,842ft). It is capable of measuring through marine growth and concrete to provide figures for the average wall thickness of each interrogated area.
Iain Light CEO of Applus RTD, said: “More traditional techniques rely on either visual inspection of pipelines or ultrasonic testing, but the INCOTEST system delivers a number of advantages to operators looking to make informed decisions about maintenance programs.
“We are committed to a program of technological research and development aimed at delivering new techniques that maximize the effectiveness and value of our services.
“Ensuring the integrity of the infrastructure being used in the global energy industry is critical to the success of E&P activity and it is of paramount importance to Applus RTD that we not only contribute to improved standards, but set the bar within the NDT arena.”
The RTD INCOTEST system can be applied on piping and vessels, offshore platforms, risers and jacket construction piping, subsea piping, flow accelerated corrosion in liquid systems, corrosion under the installation layer on distillation columns and piping and vessels in process plants.
Applus RTD helps clients to reduce the inspection costs of a variety of processes and structural objects. Providing inspection data without incurring access costs can result in a 30% saving on the overall inspection budget of an offshore platform.
The capabilities of the INCOTEST system has already been successfully demonstrated during oil and gas operations in Southeast Asia, Australia and the North Sea in water depths of 160 -200m (525 – 656 feet).
The maximum depth that the INCOTEST has been performed is in Angola at 1600m (5249 feet) depths.
Scott Dingman, President and CEO of Delta SubSea, added: “Ensuring the integrity of deepwater assets is of vital concern to oil and gas operators and service companies who face complex challenges in conducting inspections of subsea pipelines.
“Corrosion is an unseen threat to subsea installations and there is no existing technology that gives the status of a 20-year-old subsea infrastructure. This is the only ROV tool like this in the world.”
About Delta SubSea
Delta SubSea (DSS) is a leading integrated independent provider of ROV Services and Solutions. Delta SubSea’s ROV fleet is focused on solutions for customers in the inspection, repair and maintenance, construction, drilling and decommissioning market segments. In addition to ROV Services, DSS also provides Subsea Project Management, Subsea Project Support Services, Subject Matter Experts and Client Representation for Diving/ROV/Subsea Construction.