Oceaneering offer world’s first ROV deployed deep water Phased Array capability
Posted: 2015-8-27
By:
Lucy Watkinson
Oceaneering is constantly pushing the boundaries on all
fronts whether in outer space supporting NASA, or subsea
developing inspection and intervention technologies. The
most recent innovation is the introduction of a deepwater
Phased Array ultrasonic inspection capability for subsea
applications down to 3000m (10,000 feet). The new system is
already validated for use by a number of Operators following
trials carried out in Houston, Texas.
The unique capability can speed up subsea asset integrity
assessment on rigid or flexible pipeline and riser systems,
significantly reducing operator costs in diver, Remotely
Operated Vehicle (ROV) and vessel hire. High resolution wall
thickness and corrosion mapping is rapidly performed using
64 element 'Paint Brush' transducers, with full volumetric
weld inspection carried out in a single pass using a
variable angle probe carriage.
The system is deployed by ROV using Oceaneering’s Neptune
scanner; the first deepwater ultrasonic scanner, that has
been in global subsea service since 2009. It has an
unequalled track record in remote high resolution ultrasonic
(Pulse Echo & Time of Flight Diffraction) subsea pipeline
inspection. The Neptune is rated to a 3000 meter operating
depth. It has collected valuable asset integrity data for
subsea Operators at depths down to 1800 meters in the
Mediterranean, the Gulf of Mexico, Norwegian and West
African offshore sectors.
Phased Array (PA) or multi element transducers have been in
use topside for a number of years, this is the first time
they have been fully marinised. The graphic PA imagery
brings enhanced data collection and analysis to subsea asset
Operators. The benefits of PA over other ultrasonic
inspection techniques come from its ability to use multiple
elements to steer the ultrasonic beam, focus and scan with a
single transducer assembly.
Beam steering, commonly referred to as sectorial scanning,
can be used for mapping components at appropriate angles.
The relatively small footprint of the transducer and the
ability to sweep the beam without moving the probe also aids
inspection of components using fully automated scanners.
Sectorial scanning is typically used for weld inspection.
The ability to test welds with multiple angles from a single
probe greatly increases the Probability of Detection (PoD)
of anomalies. Electronic focusing permits full optimisation
of the beam shape and size at the expected defect location
further optimising the PoD. The ability to focus at
multiple depths also improves the ability for volumetric
material inspections. Focusing can significantly improve
signal-to-noise ratios and electronic scanning across
multiple elements allowing for C-Scan images to be produced
very rapidly.
The enhanced inspection capability is provided as a
standalone service or as part of a managed integrated
solutions offering combining any of Oceaneering’s services.
If you require any further information please contact asset-
integrity@oceaneering.com
fronts whether in outer space supporting NASA, or subsea
developing inspection and intervention technologies. The
most recent innovation is the introduction of a deepwater
Phased Array ultrasonic inspection capability for subsea
applications down to 3000m (10,000 feet). The new system is
already validated for use by a number of Operators following
trials carried out in Houston, Texas.
The unique capability can speed up subsea asset integrity
assessment on rigid or flexible pipeline and riser systems,
significantly reducing operator costs in diver, Remotely
Operated Vehicle (ROV) and vessel hire. High resolution wall
thickness and corrosion mapping is rapidly performed using
64 element 'Paint Brush' transducers, with full volumetric
weld inspection carried out in a single pass using a
variable angle probe carriage.
The system is deployed by ROV using Oceaneering’s Neptune
scanner; the first deepwater ultrasonic scanner, that has
been in global subsea service since 2009. It has an
unequalled track record in remote high resolution ultrasonic
(Pulse Echo & Time of Flight Diffraction) subsea pipeline
inspection. The Neptune is rated to a 3000 meter operating
depth. It has collected valuable asset integrity data for
subsea Operators at depths down to 1800 meters in the
Mediterranean, the Gulf of Mexico, Norwegian and West
African offshore sectors.
Phased Array (PA) or multi element transducers have been in
use topside for a number of years, this is the first time
they have been fully marinised. The graphic PA imagery
brings enhanced data collection and analysis to subsea asset
Operators. The benefits of PA over other ultrasonic
inspection techniques come from its ability to use multiple
elements to steer the ultrasonic beam, focus and scan with a
single transducer assembly.
Beam steering, commonly referred to as sectorial scanning,
can be used for mapping components at appropriate angles.
The relatively small footprint of the transducer and the
ability to sweep the beam without moving the probe also aids
inspection of components using fully automated scanners.
Sectorial scanning is typically used for weld inspection.
The ability to test welds with multiple angles from a single
probe greatly increases the Probability of Detection (PoD)
of anomalies. Electronic focusing permits full optimisation
of the beam shape and size at the expected defect location
further optimising the PoD. The ability to focus at
multiple depths also improves the ability for volumetric
material inspections. Focusing can significantly improve
signal-to-noise ratios and electronic scanning across
multiple elements allowing for C-Scan images to be produced
very rapidly.
The enhanced inspection capability is provided as a
standalone service or as part of a managed integrated
solutions offering combining any of Oceaneering’s services.
If you require any further information please contact asset-
integrity@oceaneering.com
