Wireline Issue 42 - Summer 2018

MER | Asset Integrity

TO THE TEST

T hey might not be regarded as the most glamorous technical subjects, but process vessel inspection (VI) and corrosion under insulation (CUI) are receiving new levels of industry interest. They are the prime areas of focus for the asset integrity team at the Aberdeen-based Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC). The OGTC’s Asset Integrity Solution Centre (AISC) partners with industry to develop and deploy new technology, and promote initiatives that realise cost and safety gains in asset integrity management. “Our work is very much industry- led,” says manager Rebecca Allison. “Our prime role is to help bring new solutions through that meet current and future needs. There would be no point in investing in projects that are going to just sit on the shelf – they have to make a difference.” The Centre features a network of experienced industry people, some of whom are seconded from large contractors and operators. “That is key as we help developers bring technology into the market,” explains Rebecca. “With both technical

Learning about the challenge of non-intrusive inspection

knowledge and an understanding of the challenges operators face, we can offer developers an insight based on our own experience.” Technology testbed The AISC’s central themes of VI and CUI were handed down from the industry’s Technology Leadership Board (TLB), following the Asset Integrity Theme Landscaping Study from Lockheed Martin, which was commissioned by Oil & Gas UK. The inherent link with industry is evident in its everyday work. It is specifically exemplified in a successful programme of trials focused on the use of non-intrusive techniques

for inspecting process pressure vessels offshore.

Conducted with Total E&P UK (Total), and hosted on their Elgin Franklin platform, the trial results have led to a reshaping of the operator’s maintenance strategy and have already realised efficiencies. “When we started looking at non- intrusive inspection (NII), we noticed variable levels of uptake in the industry,” says Billy Mackay, technical specialist for the AISC and a secondee

from Total. “The technology is established, but hasn’t been >

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