Remote Field Testing

Scope of Work

Stork has a long-standing relationship with Harbour Energy and has held their Asset Integrity Services contract for a number of years. During a recent shutdown on the North Everest installation, Stork was tasked with the inspection of the Dense Phase Cooler tubes, as part of a wider vessel maintenance workscope.

Shutdowns are inherently costly and time-consuming, making it imperative to get the facility back online and productive as safely and swiftly as possible. Reducing inspection times, without compromising on accuracy is a key advantage in such scenarios.

Traditionally, tube inspection for ferromagnetic carbon steel tubes has relied on the Internal Rotary Inspection System (IRIS). While IRIS is known for its reliability and accuracy, it is also a slow and labour-intensive process.

To address this challenge, we collaborated closely with our customer to implement a more modern and expedited technique, Remote Field Testing (RFT).

Stork's Solution

RFT offers a significant reduction in setup time and serves as an efficient rapid screening tool. It quickly identifies tubes with potential defects, allowing us to target our detailed inspections more effectively.

Once RFT has highlighted the tubes of concern, we follow up with IRIS to provide precise measurements and confirm the integrity of these tubes.

The Outcome

• RFT is highly effective for inspecting ferromagnetic tubes, such as those found in heat exchangers, boilers, and condensers.
• Can inspect through scale and other deposits without the need for cleaning.
• Provides rapid screening over large areas to identify potential defects such as wall thinning or corrosion.
• By integrating RFT with IRIS, we ensure a comprehensive inspection process that is both faster and more efficient, helping to minimise downtime and costs during the shutdown period.