Subcontracted by pipeline constructor Nacap Australia, UT Quality performed Auto UT Inspection via the UT Scan of all girth welds on the 183 km, 16 inch diameter QSN Link pipeline.
The experienced Nacap welders, were completing welds at high speeds of 250 welds plus per day. With construction crews spread, the mainline AUT crew first completed and reported 325 welds in a 10 hour work day, which had not been achieved in Australia before with a single three man crew.
Five days later, an amazing 403 welds with a five man crew was attained. To achieve this figure, everything had to run like clockwork, with welding completed basically weld to weld in 1 minute 30 seconds. UT Quality said that a cold beer was well deserved that night in camp.
UT Quality said that with continued pipeline construction efficiency, it is important to use the new technology that is available and offered worldwide. The company said that compared to other major countries, Australia is not as advanced in regards to pipeline industry technology and needs to continue the education process to ensure the best results possible for the industry, as well as to keep up with the ever increasing construction demands and challenges that are continually faced.
Automated UT Inspection gives pipeline construction projects many advantages including:
- High Speed Inspection & immediate weld scan results;
- No safety issues with radiation exposure;
- No interruption to other workers;
- More accurate inspection results – height and length;
- Reduction in weld repairs, due to height measurement and volumetric sizing;
- Overall Project Cost savings; and,
- All inspection results electronic, reducing archive costs for 1,000s of films.