By Espen Winsnes, Sales Manager at ICR

Maintaining offshore assets has always been complex business, but today across the North Sea in particular, ageing assets, cost restrictions, maintenance backlogs, skills shortages, and a growing need to protect the environment has exacerbated existing challenges.

Reflecting on ICR’s more than 30 years’ experience in the global oil and gas market, and over 50,000 completed projects, Espen Winsnes, ICR Sales Manager based in Norway, shares his views on the current trends impacting the maintenance of offshore assets in the North Sea, and the benefits of rapid, innovative maintenance solutions that can protect the future of operators’ investments.

Cost conundrums

According to global energy research analysts, Wood Mackenzie, as much as half of the North Sea’s 600 installations, were first installed 40 years ago. After four decades of operation, many of these ageing assets are due to be decommissioned at an estimated cost of £20billion over the next 25 years.

The cost of decommissioning an asset entirely, or replacing steel infrastructure such as offshore caissons and risers, is considerable. So, it is not surprising that operators are seeking to increase the economic life of their offshore assets, meaning many will remain in operation far longer than was anticipated when they were originally designed.

Here in Norway for example, despite one of the country’s oldest platforms, Statfjord A, being in use since 1979 and the rig due to be dismantled in 2022, Equinor decided in 2020 to extend its life span until 2027. Likewise, two other platforms in the same field, Statfjord B and C, which are of a similar age, have had their life extended until 2035.

Extending the life of an ageing offshore asset is not mandated by any one regulator and is instead a decision taken by the operator, so the burden to ensure their integrity falls on them. With a low global oil price and possibility of recession, these investments can come into question. Most operators today however understand the need to prioritise maintenance methods that will allow them to preserve their ageing offshore assets, whilst protecting the environment and being cost effective, and from our experience, there is good reason to do so.

Based on the more than 50,000 projects that we at ICR have delivered worldwide, and many of which took place in the Norwegian North Sea, we estimate that adopting world-class, innovative maintenance solutions instead of replacing key infrastructure on the asset can save an operator tens of millions of dollars each year.

The sustainability agenda

Of course, it is not always viable to extend the life of an ageing asset and there is no other option than to assess the infrastructure for recycling purposes. So today, operators are not only considering environmentally-friendly alternatives to make the day-to-day running of their assets more sustainable, some are considering the purpose of them entirely.

As the energy transition gathers pace, operators are routinely considering whether they can breathe new life into otherwise redundant assets. With global net zero targets fast approaching, the repurposing of offshore assets typically used in oil and gas activities is being considered a viable option to launch new clean energy projects in areas such as carbon capture storage, green hydrogen and offshore wind. This will create environmentally-friendly opportunities to recycle infrastructure such as heavy steel, and save precious time.

On paper this sounds like a smart plan however considering that North Sea offshore infrastructure is rapidly ageing and as a result, the integrity of the rigs’ infrastructure could be in question, it is not so simple. We know that more than 70% of the world’s oil is based in mature fields, and that North Sea assets in particular have outlived their initial lifecycle expectations, therefore great care and in-depth knowledge is required when repurposing these assets for clean energy pursuits to ensure long-term safety and efficiency.

By harnessing the more than five decades of global integrity management experience ICR has acquired, our world-class engineers and technicians are able to support the complex process of repurposing offshore assets for the energy transition.

For the operators extending the life of ageing platforms, such as Statfjord A, B and C in Norway, it is equally important that they consider the impact of their maintenance programmes on the environment including air quality and marine life. After all, the world’s eyes are firmly focused on how companies are acting responsibility and taking sustainable action across all of their operations.

At the end of March this year, the European Commission proposed a new EU Green Claims Directive which will set fresh requirements for companies making environmental claims about their products or services. These requirements will see increased pressure on companies across all sectors to demonstrate that they are acting responsibility when it comes to their impact on the environment.

The Directive will impact the oil and gas industry, but for the companies operating offshore, this has long been a point of contention as operators are already expected to take the necessary action to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and take care over marine life.

In Norway for example, the Norwegian Environment Agency has applied the Pollution Control Act to the offshore industry which includes specific requirements on the protection of the natural environment, including monitoring the natural environment (including the effects on water column and seabed, limitations on discharges to air, and waste handling). Licensees are required to obtain a discharge permit before commencing exploration drilling, production activities and processing, which will set out pollution discharge limits and waste handling procedures.

It’s not only the regulator clamping down on bad behaviour that could negatively impact the planet. At the end of last year, the Norges Bank Investment Management, which manages a $1.3tn Norwegian oil fund and invests the country’s oil revenues, expressed intentions to vote against companies that fail to set a net zero emissions target having already set a target for Norwegian oil companies to hit net zero by 2050, further evidence that industry investors are becoming more aggressive on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Managing maintenance resource

Many operators today do understand the financial benefits of maintaining their assets, not to mention the regulatory requirements to do so, however the maintenance of ageing offshore oil and gas production facilities is far from straightforward and presents many challenges for operators.

One of the key issues mentioned is that many oil and gas assets have been in service for more than four decades, far longer than intended. This means maintenance programmes have been developed later in the life of the asset and require expert knowledge of the industry and the assets’ equipment to develop fit-for-purpose solutions.

Without access to this pool of knowledge, operators risk their maintenance programmes failing. In March this year, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a warning that maintenance backlogs on North Sea offshore installations that peaked following the pandemic have never returned to pre-COVID levels, a trend we see worldwide. One reason behind this is ageing installations and a loss of knowledge and competency, which the regulator claims has the risk of leading to a ‘major accident’ in 2023 or later.

For operators this is a caution that they cannot afford to ignore. As maintenance delays increase, so does the threat of danger to life and environmental damage, as well as heightened risk of shutdown time. Often smaller integrity issues worsen over time and become more at risk of a catastrophic incident so it is critical that repairs are conducted in a timely manner. Without experienced engineers on hand to survey and deliver pioneering maintenance solutions, another major incident could be on the horizon.

Furthermore, to successfully embrace the opportunities of the energy transition by re-using and maintaining existing oil and gas infrastructure, the right skills and experience are critical. As Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Tina Bru, put it recently, “retaining expertise and technologies in the oil and gas sector is also vital for the development of new industries and technologies such as carbon capture and storage, offshore wind and hydrogen.”

At ICR, we understand the importance of quick responses to integrity issues, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer our customers rapid response solutions including on-the-ground experts, in-house surveys and the fast mobilisation of our best-in-class technicians and technologies. This allows us to reduce the average industry wait time of a project commencing from several months to just weeks. This time saving can significantly impact the long-term integrity of the asset, reducing the risk of further damage as the equipment or infrastructure awaits inspection and maintenance.

Rapid, innovative and sustainable solutions

The need for cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions that can be deployed at pace and scale by highly-skilled and experienced specialists has never been more important. Innovative technologies that aid more efficient, safer and sustainable operations are one way that we at ICR are achieving this for our customers.

Our suite of world-leading tools are not only cost-effective, but can be deployed with limited disruption to operations, reducing the need for downtime or asset shutdowns, as well as being low carbon alternatives to traditional methods. For example, caisson integrity can pose a major challenge on offshore platforms and is a maintenance issue that we support operators overcome frequently. Although a caisson is a relatively simple component of the platform, it can cause significant integrity issues if damage is left unrepaired, resulting in rising costs for the operator and the risk of the debris detaching and damaging the seabed and marine life.

For some operators, it might seem logical to replace a damaged caisson entirely but this will mean replacing the large steel part with a new one that has to be produced and transported, which results in unnecessary CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, the installation of a new steel caisson part would warrant a potential rig shut down, specialist crews on site and the rental of maintenance ships, all at a considerable cost to the operator.

From our experience, a maintenance programme to repair caissons using the best-in-class technologies such as robotics is far more economical, efficient and sustainable, while reducing the challenges and safety hazards that on-site technicians would otherwise face. A robot for example can cover 10 times as much of the infrastructure in the same time as a human technician, performing around 70 percent of the work, allowing the technicians to avoid long periods performing rope access, focus on more complex and specialist work. There is also an environmental benefit, if the infrastructure features lead paint for example, then the robot can remove around 90 per cent of the paint preventing it from dropping into the ocean.

Another example is the use of ICR’s Technowrap™ repair solutions, proven to extend the life of a part up to 20 years, which can be equal to the lifetime of a brand new part if it was replaced entirely but that would lead to increased emissions.

Our studies have shown that by using this innovative repair solution, operators can benefit from significant emission reduction savings, helping to lower their own environmental footprint. For example, when using our repair system technology for the repair of a two metre section of 8” carbon steel pipework (85.1 kg) on an offshore rig, the system reduced emissions by 66% compared to the traditional methods.

Recently on a trial customer project, we deployed the Technowrap™ repair technology as part of our designed calculated engineer solution for the application of corrosion protection. The solution allowed the operator to extend the life of the subsea pipeline by up to 30 years, which is five to 10 years more than its standard lifetime design.

In Norway, we also supported a major operator correct wall defects as a result of excessive corrosion present on a 14” helideck drain line on a North Sea platform. Our engineered composite repair solution reinstated the integrity of the pipework for 20 years and was in accordance with the latest ISO standards.

Without these advanced technological solutions to aid efficient maintenance work, these operators may have chosen to replace the structures entirely leading to increased cost and emissions. The future of the oil and gas industry requires a more considered, greener alternative and we are proud of the role our proprietary technologies and engineers play in making that a reality.

You can read more about our successful cost saving and emission reducing projects here.

ICR Integrity (ICR), global provider of specialist repair, inspection and integrity solutions, has announced the re-award of their Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Petrofac valued at over £1million per annum following a successful tender exercise.

The MSA was initially awarded in 2019, as a result of ICR’s well-established partnership with Petrofac delivering specialist repair and inspection services for all duty holder assets in the North and Southern North Sea, with the purpose of strategically aligning the various ICR services delivered to Petrofac under a single cross-asset agreement.

The internationally recognised service leader will continue to provide Petrofac with innovative repair solutions including; Technowrap™ engineered composite and clamp repairs, Quickflange™ weldless connection solutions, chemical injection pump skids, corrosion inspection services and drone inspection through its Sky-Futures™ team.

Jim Beveridge, Group CEO, said:

“We are delighted to announce this significant re-award with Petrofac who we have successfully supported over the last 15 years. The new MSA highlights our ongoing commitment to our clients and the support we provide with the inspection and integrity of their assets. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Petrofac as we move into 2023.”

ICR has over 30 years of experience in providing innovative solutions for the oil and gas, renewables, power, defence and telecoms sectors. Recently the company launched INSONO, a composite NDT inspection technology that validates the condition and integrity of composite repairs, reducing carbon emissions, extending asset life and increasing confidence in the asset’s performance.

Sandy Merson, Group Head of Operations and Maintenance at Petrofac added:

“Our collaboration with ICR’s specialist repair and inspection services has added significant value to our duty holder assets in recent years. The re-award of this MSA is testament to our partnership, combining our expertise and capabilities. We look forward to ICR’s continued support moving forward.”

Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, ICR operates in global locations with operational bases in the UK, Norway, Abu Dhabi, USA and Australia as well as an extensive partner network extending its global reach.

ICR Integrity (ICR) has announced the appointment of Gemma Neal as Head of Marketing and Communications.

In Gemma’s new role, she will implement a comprehensive group-wide global strategy to support ICR globally while also driving its initiatives in the energy transition.

Holding over 18 years of strategic marketing and communications experience, Gemma has worked across multiple sectors including, renewable energy, oil and gas, marine, hospitality, education, and media. Latterly Head of Marketing at Vysus Group, she led the global rebranding from Lloyd’s Register Energy and worked across the business to support international business streams.

Gemma’s multi-industry experience fits the company’s growth aspirations in core markets including green energy, oil and gas, defence, nuclear, process industries, power, utilities and infrastructure.

Commenting on her appointment, Gemma said: “I’m delighted to join ICR at this pivotal time for the company’s growth. The delivery of engaging marketing and corporate communications has never been so important and will contribute greatly to the value of the business. I am excited to be part of further successes for the company in 2023.”

With over 30 years of experience in providing innovative solutions for a range of industries worldwide, ICR offers clients world-class repair and integrity solutions providing carbon efficiencies and greater asset uptime and reliability, while saving time and cost compared to traditional repair methods.

Alan McQuade, Group Managing Director, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Gemma to ICR. Her many years of knowledge and experience will help shape the ICR brand and extend our foothold into new markets and locations around the world. She has exactly the right approach and drive required to aid our overarching ambitions and shape the wider marketing strategy of the group.

The company operates in global locations including Europe, MENA, Australia, ASEAN and North America.

Gemma Neal, Head of Marketing & Communications

This integrated approach to implementing composite repair solutions can reduce carbon emissions by 66% compared to traditional methods, says Antonio Caraballo, Inspection & Integrity Management Services Director, ICR, UK

The repair and maintenance of assets has always been an important element in the oil and gas industry and is essential to ensuring the reliability and safety of operations. Continuing to be a priority in today’s energy industry, throughout the transition to explore greener energy alternatives, the importance of corrosion control remains at the forefront of operator’s minds. Inadequate or infrequent inspection and management of assets can lead to a range of risks including production failure and loss of containment, potentially leading to catastrophic impacts on the personnel, plant and environment. As a vital factor in optimising the productivity, production, and downtime of operations whilst mitigating potential risks, corrosion control is essential to minimising operational and repair costs and extending asset life.

With the risk of health and safety issues and disruption to operations, corrosion can also compromise the appearance, performance, strength, and load-bearing ability of assets. Corrosion management will allow the operator to mitigate any safety and environmental hazards, as well as prevent any production and financial losses. As a key challenge facing the industry today, corrosion can lead to production delays, equipment failure, operational expenditure and safety hazards.

ICR Integrity is an industry-leading, technology-enabled provider of specialist repair, inspection and integrity management solutions to a diverse range of industries. The company’s well-established repair and maintenance division offers clients world class repair solutions providing greater asset uptime and reliability while saving time and cost compared to traditional repairs. The newly formed specialist inspection and integrity division reflects the company’s focus on innovation and technology advancements in support of its global clients’ integrity management requirements.

The traditional oil and gas industry, which ICR has a strong presence in, requires solutions that provide validation and assurance on the condition of their assets, as well as any repairs that have been undertaken. With a strong focus on the environment when carrying out testing, avoiding carbon intensive techniques is essential to the sector. Many ageing assets have composite repairs reaching the end of their design life, meaning there is an increased requirement to revalidate or extend the life of the repairs, allowing operators to avoid costly replacement options that may require a full shutdown of the asset. Regulatory bodies, have a strong focus on the integrity management and condition monitoring of repairs. Being able to inspect the defined life repairs is therefore a key enabler in ensuring safe and reliable operations for extended time periods.

Based on the principles of acoustic inspection methods with pitch and catch, ICR Integrity’s innovative new Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technique, called INSONO. It provides resonance and mechanical impedance analysis to detect and size any flaws in the inspection of engineered composite repairs. The technology has been validated by The Welding Institute (TWI) and has patent and UKAS accreditation pending. A hand-held scanner creates 3D models and visual representation of the composite repair, allowing for precise dimensions to be used in the assessment. Any defects in three main areas of concern can then be detected – in the bond line, the interlaminar and the steel substrate.

With over 30 years’ experience, ICR is internationally recognised as a service-leader and a key-player in the ongoing development and adoption of composite technology. INSONO complements its industry renowned Technowrap™ range of engineered composite repairs and assures operators that their composite repairs are fit for purpose, satisfying regulatory body guidelines regarding inspection criteria. It also allows for the extension of defined life repairs reducing waste whilst avoiding high-carbon emissions from traditional steel replacement alternatives.

Inspection techniques currently available are not practical to deploy in the field and many are unable to access complex geometries with a single technique or product. INSONO is hand-carried and requires only one Technician, meaning inspections can be carried out in higher risk areas where they may not have been previously considered.

ICR is internationally recognised as a service-leader and a key player in the ongoing development and adoption of composite technology. The versatile product range offers practical and cost-effective rehabilitation of pressure systems and structural components with minimal disruption to operations, typically delivering valuable cost savings. The repair systems can not only be applied to live systems with no impact on production, but also offer a low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions alternative to steel replacement. Replacing large steel equipment is energy intensive and requires the production of a new part. By repairing their equipment, ICR’s clients avoid the emissions associated with steel production and transportation as well as the energy required to perform the replacement.

Technowrap™ repair solutions can be engineered for anywhere between 2 and 20 years, which can be equal to the lifetime of a traditional replacement and as such are directly comparable to a replacement solution, depending on the anomaly type. ICR compared the carbon impact of using its repair system technology for the repair of a 2-metre section of 8” carbon steel pipework (85.1 kg) located 225 miles offshore from Aberdeen. The findings established that the repair system reduced emissions by 66% compared to the traditional replacement method.

On a recent project in the Northern North Sea, an operator client asked ICR to review various sections of pipework that had sustained severe corrosion resulting in wall thinning below the minimum allowable wall thickness of the pipework. Due to the location of the pipework being underneath the helideck, the client required minimal impact on production and an engineered Technowrap™ composite solution was chosen as the most efficient, engineered solution. The scope of work saw the delivery of the repair with a 20 year repair lifetime. Technowrap™ trained personnel installed the 2K materials, completing the repair with a design temperature of the line of 90ºC.

As there was no shutdown required, the solution offered was extremely cost effective. Due to the complexity of the location (under the helideck), ICR mobilised a multi skilled rope access trained composite repair team who implemented the repairs, removing scaffolding requirements. The appropriate risk assessments were carried out to minimise any potential risks associated with the work. In order to achieve the required adhesion grit blasting to the cleanliness standard of SA 2.5 was completed prior to the application.. As a result, the scope was delivered on time, within budget and with no incidents or accidents. The client was given the further assurance through the bespoke engineering and design calculations for each repair, carried out to code requirements in accordance with ISO 24817 and ASME PCC-2.

With safety, environment, efficiency and reliability as a top priority in the industry, ICR is leading the ongoing development and adoption of composite technology to support operators globally. Actively working in close collaboration with clients to ensure the structural integrity of assets is maintained with minimal disruption to operations, ICR is able to support clients on their journey to sustainability.

With extensive experience dealing with some of the most challenging projects in the industry, ICR’s integrated approach to implementing composite repair solutions and specialist engineered clamp designs can reduce emissions by 66% compared to other methods. With sustainable operations at the forefront of the industry’s agenda, this further allows clients to repair and maintain their assets to avoid costly operational disruption and potential safety and environmental hazards.

To view this article in World Pipelines click here

Figure 1: The portable hand-held equipment and specifically designed probes.

ICR Integrity (ICR), technology enabled provider of specialist maintenance, inspection and integrity solutions, has announced the appointment of Ross McHardy as Group Director.

Ross’ appointment will focus on supporting the global growth and diversification of ICR’s repair and maintenance business. He brings a strong technical track record and range of experience in senior roles for a number of oil and gas operators including TAQA, EnQuest and latterly at service company EnerMech, where he headed up the Europe and Africa businesses. His cross-sector knowledge will reinforce ICR’s exciting and ambitious growth plans including working extensively with our key partners globally.

Commenting on his appointment, Ross said:

“I’m delighted to join ICR at a time of growth and diversification for the company – my experience ranges from engineering and integrity, through to projects, asset management and business leadership which will bolster the strong diverse team we have at ICR. It’s an exciting time for the company and I’m looking forward to further successes in 2023.”

With over 30 years of experience in providing innovative solutions for a range of industries worldwide, ICR offers clients world class repair and integrity solutions providing greater asset uptime and reliability, while saving time and cost compared to traditional repair methods. In 2022 the company significantly increased it’s global headcount and posted end of year results showing a 12% increase in earnings.

Jim Beveridge, CEO, added:

“I’m thrilled to welcome Ross to ICR and the senior leadership team. His strong track record and wealth of knowledge will further strengthen our portfolio as we continue to support clients with extensive cross-sector knowledge and multi-skilled teams in power generation, renewables, oil and gas, utilities and defence industries. Our established repair and maintenance division provides clients with world class solutions resulting in greater asset uptime and reliability, while saving time and cost compared to traditional methods. Through our investment in new technology, we are committed to playing our part in energy transition, helping clients reduce their carbon emissions”.

The company operates in global locations including Europe, MENA, Australia, ASEAN and North America.

We had a brilliant day joining cold work specialists DIFLICOM at the launch of their new facility in The Netherlands! We thoroughly enjoyed presenting Quickflange™ technology along with carrying out multiple live 8” demo installations.

It was great to meet so many of our existing and new customers with over 30 representatives attending from different companies. Feedback was very positive and, since the event, we have received further enquiries and have hosted further demo days.

For more information on our Quickflange™ capabilities, contact Josh Cannell Maurice van der Woude or Lindsay Anderson

#ICR #Diflicom #Quickflange #WeldlessConnectors #AssetIntegrity #NoHotWork

The ICR-IAS Joint Venture is pleased to announce the appointment of Russell Collins to our leadership team in Perth. ICR Integrity’s CEO, Jim Beveridge, welcomes Russell as Regional Director, Asia Pacific. Russell is charged with managing the ICR-IAS Joint Venture as well as leading ICR Integrity’s growth strategy throughout Asia Pacific.

The ICR-IAS Joint Venture is an established partnership between ICR Integrity and the IAS Group (part of the UGL Group of companies). ICR Integrity is headquartered in Aberdeen and are a technology-enabled provider of specialist repair, inspection and integrity solutions to a diverse range of industries worldwide. The Australian based ICR-IAS Joint Venture provides engineered solutions to extend asset life, minimise production downtime and reduce operational costs through specialist repair and maintenance technologies including Technowrap™ composite repair solutions and Quickflange™ weldless connectors.

Russell brings over 30 years’ experience from the global energy industry, with specific expertise in solving asset integrity challenges whether it be onshore, offshore or subsea. Jim Beveridge, said

“We are excited about continuing to build momentum of the ICR Integrity and ICR-IAS Joint Venture brands in the region and we are delighted that Russell brings his significant technical experience and extensive professional network into the business.

ICR-IAS Joint Venture continue to develop technology-based solutions for our valued customers, whilst looking for new and exciting service offerings that will allow us to be part of the global energy transition”.

Jim Beveridge and Russell Collins shake hands

Hello from ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference 2022! We’re here at Hall 6, Stand 6210 from today until Thursday.

Our team Antonio Caraballo CEng FIMechE, Tareq Jarrar and Jamie Ironside are on hand to talk about our range of services, including Technowrap™ engineered composite repairs and Quickflange™ weldless connectors, and our exciting new composite inspection technology INSONO.

If you’re attending the show, make sure to visit us to hear more!

#ADIPEC #ICR #INSONO #CompositeInspection #AssetIntegity #RepairAndMaintenance #EventsInPerson #AbuDhabi #Technowrap #Quickflange #NDT #NewTechnology #3dscanning

ICR has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Antonio Caraballo as Director.

Antonio joins ICR to support the global growth of ICR’s inspection and integrity management business and reinforce the multi-skilled engineering team. An esteemed industry professional, in his previous role Antonio led the multidiscipline integrity management division for INEOS FPS while also acting as Pipelines Technical Authority. He has a strong track record of developing transformational change in organisations and processes.

As an internationally recognised service-leader ICR offers over 30 years of expertise in providing innovative solutions for the oil and gas, renewables, power, defence and telecoms sectors. Antonio will drive forward the market-leading products heading up the newly launched composite NDT inspection technology, an industry first, providing operators with the assurance in the integrity and long-term performance of composite repairs thus leading to their life extension, reducing waste whilst avoiding high carbon emissions associated with alternatives such as steel replacement or welded sleeves installation.

Commenting on his appointment, Antonio said: “I’m delighted to join ICR at such an exciting time for the organisation – the ongoing development and adoption of our innovative solutions, including our OMNI digital asset management software, methane detection and drone inspection offering, will undoubtedly add value and supports our clients’ net zero targets and safety performance“

Antonio holds a master’s degree in Pipeline Engineering from the Cranfield University and in Materials Science from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and began his studies in his native Colombia. He has worked in project and integrity engineering roles both in the UK and abroad for diverse companies such as GE Oil & Gas, Wood Group and BP as well as being a Fellow of the Energy Institute and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

ICR operates in global locations including Europe, MENA, Australia, ASEAN and North America and will launch its new website showcasing its specialist solutions in November.

ICR Integrity (ICR) has launched a new innovative NDT technique for the inspection of composite repairs applied to metallic components.

INSONO has been developed to validate the condition and integrity of composite repairs providing operators with assurance in the application and long-term performance. The technology can detect defects in the three areas of concern, delamination at the bond line, defects within the composite material and reductions in the steel substrate.

With over 30 years’ experience, ICR is internationally recognised as a service-leader and a key-player in the ongoing development and adoption of composite technology. INSONO complements the Technowrap™ range and provides operators with assurance required by the regulatory bodies. It also allows for the extension of defined life repairs reducing waste whilst avoiding high-carbon emissions from traditional steel replacement alternatives.

Commenting on the launch, Jim Beveridge, CEO, said “We are delighted to introduce INSONO composite inspection to the market. This new technique will offer our clients the confidence to validate and extend the life of repairs. Our acceptance criteria has been clearly defined and backed by extensive testing. The initial launch will focus on our most commonly used repair material Technowrap 2K™, and the future roadmap will encompass the full Technowrap™ range.

Validated by the welding institute (TWI) with patent, the portable hand-held equipment and specifically designed probes allow for inspection of all geometries including complex configurations and can easily be deployed in field in hard-to-reach locations.