Tube Tech had recently worked for this client’s onshore refinery when they were contacted by personnel on a 22-year-old North Sea platform who required an immediate inspection of tube bores on their gas coolers. The inspection was to determine if any damage had been caused by the coolers running with a high pressure drop across the unit, which tripped the whole platform limiting production to 50%.
Timeline
- Wed 14th Oct:
Offshore corrosion and inspection manager contacts Tube Tech regarding urgent need for inspection services. Tube Tech submit proposal and questionnaire - Thurs 15th Oct:
Tube Tech team mobilises to Aberdeen - Fri 16th Oct:
Tube Tech team arrives offshore - Sat 17th Oct:
6 hours working due to platform limitations - Sun 18th Oct:
Inspection report submitted to client - Mon 19th Oct:
Tube Tech departs offshore platform
Challenge
- Urgent mobilisation was essential
- The two horizontal gas coolers contained 1491 Duplex tubes of dimensions 0.75in O.D. x 18 BWG nominal wall thickness
- The objective of the inspection was to detect and measure any wall losses present in any of the tubes tested
Solution
- Tube Tech were able to mobilise their inspection team and equipment immediately – arriving on the platform within 36 hours of the proposal acceptance
- An internal rotary inspection system (IRIS) and the principles of Pulse Echo Ultrasonics were used for the inspection
- Sufficient tubes were inspected to allow client to make an informed judgment re productivity of the coolers
- None of the inspected tubes displayed reportable wall loss (10% or greater)
Tube Tech comment
Scott Donson, sales manager: “Once again Tube Tech demonstrated our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of the offshore industry. Our client was pleased not only with our rapid response but also the fact that there was no wall loss on their tube bores.”
Client comment
“Thanks for your (Tube Tech’s) efforts. Getting lots of good feedback from offshore management and the OIE. Hope to be dealing with you again.”
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