Nondestructive Testing Technologies for the Oil Industry

Abstract Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is proving itself in the oil industry. Oil companies that are seriously investing in it are realizing millions of dollars per year in cost saving and/or cost avoidance. The most important investment in NDT is in the human resources. NDT is not only about equipment, but also even more about the professionals operating the equipment and interpreting the results. Proper training and certification is paramount in this aspect. Each newly developed NDT technique leads to another more effective one that may be adapted for purpose and finally implemented effectively. Effective implementation is achieved only through proper up-to-date training and certification for even the most conventional NDT techniques. Otherwise, high potential NDT technologies are procured to be doomed for failure through misapplication and then eventual surplus without the realization of any cost saving, quality and safety benefits. After introducing the proven significance of NDT and its effective implementation, this paper presents some critical NDT technologies for the oil industry, from the most conventional to the more advanced, and their proper and appropriate application and resulting benefits.