Inspection Tools & System Tubing Casing
TUBOSCOPE recommends the inspection technique or combination of techniques best suited to individual needs of its customers according to the types of defects he is most interested in finding.
AMALOG IV
Optimum defect detection and pipe grade verification are achieved by Amalog IV, which employs four separate inspections and techniques in a semi-automated process:
For longitudinal defects , the length of pipe is transversely magnetized to effective saturation by an active magnetic field which greatly increases inspection sensitivity. With the concentration of the field of magnetism at the point of inspection, a series of rotating transducers circle the pipe, detecting longitudinally oriented defects such as seams and overlaps by sensing and measuring the magnetic flux leakage at the point of the defect.
• For wall thickness , the Isolog gamma ray source and back-scatter detector rotate rapidly around the moving length of pipe. Wall thickness variations, such as wrong weight pipe, eccentricity or other similar wall reductions are detected.
For transverse defects , the pipe is magnetized longitudinally and passed through transducers spaced about its circumference. Transverse and 3-dimensional defects such as cracks and pits are located and evaluated by detection of flux leakage patterns.
• For grade verification , a balanced coil technique is used. By using a length of pipe known to be a specified grade as a standard, each length is electronically compared to the standard to verify its grade. Those not matching the standard are set aside for further investigation.
If all the four inspections are not required, separate inspectections techniques employed by Amalog IV can be purchased.
In all Amalog inspections, highly sophisticated solid-state electronic circuitry is used to record on a strip chart, magnetic anomalies for detection and evaluation. The TUBOSCOPE inspector is trained to read and evaluate the charts and measure defects on the spot. In additionm, all end connections receive a magnetic particle inspection for longitudinally oriented defects in the end area.
When the results of inspection are correlated, the pipe is classified and marked as follows:
White Paint Band - Meets API specifications.
Blue Paint Band - Contains inside defects of undetermind depth.
Red Paint Band - Does not meet API specifications.
Mechanical – Optical Inspection:
The surface of the tube is examined
visually both inside and out. The TUBOSCOPE optical instrument, manufactured in TUBOSCOPE's optical lab, is utilized in locating the visible defects on the inside of the tube.
Magnetic Particle Inspection:
A circumferencially oriented DC magnetic field is included into the tube and iron powder applied to its outside surface. The powder is attracted to areas of variations in the magnetic field created by longitudinal and 3-dimensional defects. Depth of the defects is then determined by grinding to the point of maximum penetration and measuring with an accurate depth gauge.
Combination Mechanical – Optical and Magnetic Particle Inspection - Full length
A combination of two inspection technique provides an evaluation of tubular goods by locating defects in the tube body.
End area inspection for special upset or high strength material
Defects in the end area of new tubular goods can be located by this service.
1) Sand-Blasting of upset area is recommended where mill scale is present. This assists detection of the characteristically tight defects. Both DC and AC magnetizing equipment are used to include both longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields into the end areas.
2) Magnetic particle inspection is performed on both inside and outside surfaces and defects are identified regardless of orientation.
API Drifting Full Length
The full length of the tube is drifted to assure compliance with API ID specifications.
Wall Thickness Spot Test-Ultrasonic or Mechanical
Compression wave ultrasonic tools manufactured by TUBOSCOPE are employed to spot-test wall thickness of tubular goods.
