IOS invests in new inspection equipment

A leading storage and inspection firm has invested £500 000 in state-of-the-art inspection equipment at its tubular supply base in Peterhead, UK.

Independent Oilfield Services (IOS), which was established in 2014, has purchased an electromagnetic inspection (EMI) unit to augment its tubular and drillpipe inspection processes.

Drawing upon 20 years of experience in Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) and drill pipe inspection, IOS has invested in a unit that utilises the latest developments in electronic inspection techniques, such as electromagnetic longitudinal and transverse flaw detection and hall-effect wall loss, as well as electromagnetic grade comparator.

Inspecting the pipe with only one pass through the unit, the techniques used produce electromagnetic responses from the pipe onto a monitor for the operator to analyse. A measurable response will highlight a defect in the pipe allowing the operator to evaluate the severity of the flaw, such as corrosion, cracks, pits, cuts or gouges.  

To support this investment, the firm has appointed a senior tubing & casing inspector, Andrew Reid, to help support the inspection and reporting on all tubing and casing that passes through the facility. Mr Reid has substantial experience in non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection techniques, and as and when required, will also head up the remote location inspection work, ensuring all contractual requirements are met on behalf of the IOS customer.

Mr Reid said: “I have been working in the oil and gas industry for 16 years now, primarily working in various forms of NDT inspection and have spent a lot of that time educating myself on the EMI process. It is fantastic to see IOS investing in a new EMI unit during this difficult time in the oil and gas industry.

“Most EMI units globally were built in the 70s and 80s and have been refurbished over the years. Our new unit however has been built from scratch this year and works to an unbelievably high standard, having no issues whatsoever of detecting low wall areas, internal flaws and external flaws on drill pipe, tubing and casing.”

Glynn Geddie, business development manager at IOS, said: “The investment in the new EMI unit will help increase productivity on the yard by reducing inspection time and implementing a higher quality inspection process. It’s important that our clients receive a reliable service from us, particularly when safety is at the forefront of our industry.

“This particular investment is only the start of IOS introducing modern inspection techniques to the yard, as we expect to update our equipment further in the near future.”  

The firm’s tubular supply base, with 80-acres of available space, is located only four miles from Peterhead Port and provides all-round services for casing, tubing and drillpipe.

Adapted from a press release by David Bizley

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/12022016/ios-invests-in-new-inspection-equipment/