Evident Ultrasonic Inspection Equipment
Interview Series: Brett Hovland on Why Shell Chooses Eddyfi Robotics
Posted:
By: Eddyfi Technologies
Source: Eddyfi Technologies
Currently the Principal Design Engineer for Alternative Fuels Global Network, Brett Hovland has spent over 27 years of his career with Shell Oil Company. As the team lead for development and global implementation of retail fuel system design including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG) systems, Brett is also an active participant of numerous industry work groups. With risk management responsibilities and technical authority for Shell Retail Business, we knew that Brett would be well suited to answer why Shell chooses Eddyfi Technologies’ robotic solutions for its non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection operations worldwide.

What motivated Shell to choose our robotic technology for safer inspections in its NDT operations?

Shell is responsible for approximately 11,000 underground storage tank (UST) systems worldwide, and it’s absolutely critical that we have a solution that can pragmatically assess the integrity of tanks while minimizing the risk to personnel conducting these activities. Using Eddyfi Technologies’ inspection robotics meets both our quality as well as safety requirements. This robotically deployed NDT method gives a very accurate recording of the assessment which can be further reviewed by internal experts without having to be on site. Moreover, this inspection method helps us in our decision making to continue to operate as is, increase monitoring levels, make repairs, or replace tanks as necessary. Furthermore, this robotic inspection process helps in our three-to-five-year planning and prioritizing of sites to upgrade based on the assessed condition of these underground tanks.

How has our technology impacted the safety and efficiency of your inspections?

Employing Eddyfi robotics reduces our health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) exposure hours by not requiring manned entry into a tank. These inspection robots allow further assessment through the recording by our experts without having to travel which is not always practical; overall, robotic deployment for tank inspection reduces time and travel costs by subject matter experts.

Read the full interview at Eddyfi.com.

Mistras Group