SGS pipeline welding inspection for North American energy leader
02/08/2013
SGS has received a contract to provide non-destructive examination (NDE) and certified welding inspections (CWI) for a well-established leader in the safe and reliable delivery of energy in North America. This distinguished partner, recognised as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations, operates the world’s longest and most sophisticated crude oil and liquids transportation system, is significantly present in natural gas transmission and midstream businesses and is increasingly involved in power transmission as well as renewable and green technologies, such as wind and solar energy and geothermal.Headquartered in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, SGS PfiNDE, Inc has conducted NDE for this prestigious client as a primary vendor for several years. According to this new agreement, five SGS certified welding inspectors, acting as client representatives on integrity digs, will be performing on-site inspections in Wisconsin.
Mandatory regular monitoring and inspection programmes red-flag pipeline features requiring visual inspection to ultimately determine the need for repair or other action. Integrity digs, vital to the prevention of accidents, involve excavating a section of buried pipe for cleaning and examination. Defects are then repaired and the pipe recoated and reburied. In some cases, old sections of pipe are cut out and replaced with new pipe welded into place. Integrity digs can last anywhere from two days up to two weeks, depending upon the nature of the feature and visual inspection results. SGS specialists in Wisconsin will support dig crews during a time-sensitive timeframe to increase productivity.
In order to assure the integrity and reliability of crucial pipeline welds, this respected client sought a reliable inspection, verification testing and certification provider. Due to extensive experience and proven competence in similar international projects, SGS was awarded the project. Based on five decades of experience, SGS inspectors will verify that all welds comply with all international and local quality standards, as well as specific client requirements.
SGS experts will conduct precise inspections to identify, analyse, repair or replace failed welds and to assure the safe functioning of the pipeline and prevent oil spills. With extensive know-how and experience, certified SGS inspectors are able to indicate weld discrepancies and offer solutions for repair using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods.
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