Subsea testing from ROVs
24/03/2011
TWI has successfully completed a collaborative project – SubCTest – to develop novel NDT procedures and equipment for deployment from remote operating vehicles (ROVs) on subsea offshore structures and pipelines.The project was carried out by a consortium of small-to-medium sized enterprises, research organisations and end-users and was supported by a €1million grant from the European Commission within their Framework 7 funding scheme.
The TWI-led consortium developed a range of novel NDT techniques using phased array ultrasonics, alternating current field measurement (ACFM) and long-range ultrasonic testing (LRUT). The equipment included a design of phased array transducer for multi-skip and creep wave ultrasonics, an ACFM array probe that allows scanning of complex node welded joints in a single pass, a race-track LRUT technique for chains and an orbiting focused LRUT technique for welds.
A robotic manipulator was successfully demonstrated from an observation class ROV and, furthermore, simulations were used to demonstrate performance when used on an offshore ‘jacket’ structure.
For more information on the project or how TWI could help you with your testing requirements, contact graham.edwards@twi.co.uk
