Axiom NDT and Offshore Services

FABRIC MAINTENANCE CAMPAIGN – INSPECTION SUPPORT

ConocoPhillips, North Sea

Axiom Offshore Services staff have been supporting the 2012/13 Fabric Maintenance campaign on the Judy Platform, operated by ConocoPhillips.

The requirement was for a two person rope access team, with back to backs, one of whom needed to be an IRATA III Rope Access Supervisor, with both qualified to PCN II standard in Ultrasonic Testing (3.2 Plate and Pipe).

It was vital that supplied personnel could successfully integrate with both the client philosophy and the incumbent inspection body.

We were able to supply from our regular workforce and at campaign end, Judy OIE Forbes Scott-Lodge provided this feedback:

“Just a quick note to say how happy I have been with the attitude and professionalism of your technicians.

They have carried out their duties diligently and have actively participated in the platform Safety initiatives”

Manual Pulse Echo (to PCN II 3.9) and Automated UT (TOFD/PA) services:

CLYDEPORTS HUNTERSTON TERMINAL – STACKER CRANE INSPECTION

These photographs were taken at ClydePorts Hunterston Terminal in February and show Eddy Current Inspection techniques in use on the Stacker Cranes. As can be seen, the weather proved the usual mixed bag for the time of year – also as usual, the project was completed safely and on time.

Due to the round the clock nature of operations on this busy site, a flexible and motivated rope access team with a keen eye for safety is essential. Not only did our team receive positive client feedback, they also passed an external NQA audit carried out mid-project as part of our three yearly recertification of BS EN ISO 9001:2008.

Hunterston has one of the deepest sea entrance channels in northern Europe and can accommodate the largest cape size vessels afloat. You can read more about Hunterston Terminal here: http://www.clydeport.co.uk/

Structural inspection of cranes (on and offshore) is a company speciality – for more information call us on 0845 680 1284 or contact us here

Cranes, Drilling Derricks and Drilling Packages – AXIOM LIFTING SERVICES

  Axiom Lifting Services continues to develop under the watchful eye of manager Rick Sims.

Rigging personnel are now active on six long running rotations in the North Sea and, back in the office, support in the form of lift plan compilation has been provided for offshore projects on Murchison (CNR International) and Tern Alpha (TAQA Bratani) – removal and re-installation of drilling equipment.

Other recent offshore projects have included examination of lifting beams and installation and test of air winches.

Onshore, we have recently assisted Saur Services, Nicol and Andrew PLC and Coffey Construction with examination of lifting equipment under LOLER 98.

Lifting Services Manager, Rick Sims

• SI2307 Surveys
• Load Testing
• Audits and Risk Assessments
• Rigging and Lifting Personnel
• Lift Plans
• Maintenance / Installation
•  Equipment Hire

Wind and Wave – RENEWABLES

Fred Olsen Windcarrier, OpenHydro and Advanced Wind Solutions

Axiom inspection and blacktrades teams have also been active in the renewable energy sector, with recent projects carried out for:

Fred Olsen Windcarrier

Supply of 6G coded welders and PCN II 3.9 Weld Inspector / QC Engineer to carry out repairs to met mast foundations.

The energy industry provides us with many interesting challenges and changing conditions on-site often require a rapid response time – for this project, we were able to mobilise personnel and equipment within a 24 hour time frame.

OpenHydro

Supply of a rope access inspection team to carry out an annual topside inspection.

The remote location, difficult site access and varied NDT disciplines required, coupled with the vagaries of the weather, made this a satisfying job to complete.

Client liaison and an organised, multi-disciplined team are paramount to the success of this type of project.

Advanced Wind Solutions (AWS)

Ongoing partnering for offshore wind.

AWS are a specialist company providing Client Representative, Quality Assurance and Support Services to the wind industry.

Working in association with Axiom Offshore Services, they are able to provide their clients with a full package of difficult access, NDT and maintenance services backed up by an intimate knowledge of turbine operations.

Axiom have steadily gained experience within the renewable energy sector and we are able to provide quality control and lifting services during manufacture and construction, as well as in-service lifting (LOLER 98) and top side structural inspections (typically DNV OS-J101: 2011 and BS EN 61400-3:2009 for offshore wind turbines).

Marine Classification Society (LLOYDS EMEA) VESSEL SURVEYS

 Axiom provide a specialist vessel survey service for local ship repair and marine engineering company Garvel Clyde Ltd.

To date this year we have completed Ultrasonic (UT) hull thickness measurement surveys on Caledonian MacBrayne vessels ‘Isle of Arran’ (below), ‘Clansman’, ‘Loch Portain’ and ‘Caledonian Isles’.

We pride ourselves on offering an integrated service to the marine industry and operate worldwide from our offices in Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Our marine offering includes:

• Hull Inspection and Ship Surveys

(marine classification hull thickness measurements-  Ultrasonic Testing)

• A full suite of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and inspection services applicable to the marine environment

(including Eddy Current, Ultrasonic and Magnetic Particle Inspection – e.g. structural inspection of cranes / davits)

• Tank / Vessel inspection
• Crane and Lifting Equipment (fixed and loose) Examination

(under LOLER / ICHCA regulations)

• Rigging and Lifting Services

(from personnel supply to full service package)

Flare Stack Inspection Total E&P (UK) Ltd; Eddy Current Testing of welds without removal of TSA coating

The ability to conduct non-destructive testing (NDT) through conductive or non-conductive coatings can save a lot of time on-site and avoids the unnecessary removal (and subsequent reapplication) of the protective coating.

Axiom NDT personnel were at the forefront during the early development of ultrasonic and eddy current testing and this innovative approach continues today with the adaptation of existing technology to meet new challenges.

For this flare inspection project, Axiom NDT developed an Eddy Current test procedure that enabled testing to be carried out through conductive Thermal Spray Aluminium (TSA) coating – the first time that this has been done.

Fully approved by Total E&P (UK) Ltd, this technique allowed the inspection to be done in a relatively short period of time (critical at the onset of winter) and more importantly avoided damage to the existing coating.

The same technique has now been successfully used for inspection of risers and a similar approach has enabled us to test through galvanised conductive coatings – ideal for rapid inspection of critical load path items (crown padeyes,etc) on offshore drilling derricks.

RIGGING AND LIFTING – DRILLING DERRICKS, PACKAGES AND SHUTDOWN PERSONNEL

Building on our experience within the offshore drilling environment, Axiom Offshore Services teams have been engaged in a wide range of rigging and construction tasks throughout the North Sea in 2012.

Highlights have included removal and replacement of torque tubes and topdrive systems, crown cluster maintenance and replacement, supply of personnel for platform shutdowns and supervision of lifting operations. A particularly awkward, recently completed, project required removal of a BOP handling trolley – a ‘tight’ lift accomplished safely and under difficult conditions:

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Axiom team onboard for carrying out a safe and professional job during the work on the BOP carriage beams and removal of the BOP carriage assembly.

The Axiom team have worked alongside the drill crew with no issues, their commitment towards their own safety and that of the drill crew has been excellent. Their participation regarding SET has been consistent on a daily basis”.

KCAD Rig Superintendant

Laser Scanning & Asset Integrity – Drilling Packages

CNR International / TAQA Bratani

Partnering with StarNet Geomatics in 2011/12 has enabled the development of a ‘state of the art’ inspection and asset integrity surveillance tool.

High definition point cloud data, overlaid with colour photography, and integrated with Axiom inspection reports, is hosted on a secure online portal – StarNet I-site.

I-site allows multiple users to take accurate measurements, navigate drilling areas on-screen and share annotated screen views online. The portal can be tailored to customer requirements and the raw point cloud data can of course still be used for modelling, clash analysis, piping design or other engineering support application.

STRUCTURAL INSPECTION CAMPAIGNS

TOTAL E&P (UK) LTD / KCA DEUTAG LTD

Axiom inspection teams have recently completed a range of inspection campaigns, across all Total North Sea assets culminating in the flare stack inspection on Elgin.

Other workscopes have included:

• Structural topside inspection on Elgin and Franklin

• Derrick inspection and DROPS survey on Alwyn

• High Pressure Piping Survey (Ultrasonic) and NDT of drilling equipment on Dunbar

• 3D Laser Scanning and Modelling on Dunbar
  

Derrick Survey Brent Delta

Derrick Survey (API 4G), Pipework Corrosion Assessment, Hoisting and Handling Equipment Inspection and Load Testing / Lifting Gear Examination.

Another very cold project! A large amount of work to compress into a very tight deadline prior to Christmas 2010 – a multi-disciplined team with a strong work/masochism ethic is the only way to go with projects like this…..

North Alwyn Drilling Shut Down

API 4G/DROPS Derrick Survey and electrical remedials

Production or drilling shut downs are highly expensive and ideally all contractors involved in annual maintenance would be able to work at the same time – however there is an obvious risk caused by conflicting activities.

During the North Alwyn Drilling shut down in June 2010, Axiom successfully installed vertical and horizontal netting to protect personnel outside the derrick and on the drill floor whilst work took place at height inside the derrick.

The end result was a considerable saving in time and money for our client.

Robin Rigg Wind Farm

Advanced Wind Solutions Limited are a specialist company providing Client Representative, Quality Assurance and Support Services to the wind industry.

Working in association with Axiom Offshore Services, they are able to provide their clients with a full package of difficult access, NDT and maintenance services backed up by an intimate knowledge of turbine operations.

The above featured project involved installation of monitoring equipment to E.ONS Robin Rigg monopiles and substations.

The underdeck work was carried out in late December to a tight deadline and in ‘challenging conditions’!

Derrick Lighting Refurbishment

Axiom took over this complex program of works after problems with an earlier vendor. Working through the depths of winter in the North Sea is never easy, but our close knit team of electricians exceeded client expectations  and won praise for their proactive approach.

Structural inspection of cranes

Axiom undertake annual structural surveys of jetty and unloader cranes for Clyde Port. These require a wide range of inspection techniques, but our specialist Eddy Current services are particularly suited to critical weld inspection on these cranes.

M8, Helix Pedestrian Bridge

Engaged as a Client Representative, Axiom conducted vendor inspections for Scot Wilson, Scotland during all stages of fabrication by SN Structures in Leeds.

Read the article for more information on the completed bridge.

Clyde Arc Bridge (Glasgow)

Fabricated by Watson Steel (a regular client), Axiom provided all site NDT services for the construction of the main arch structure during this high profile project (Close Visual Inspection, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Ultrasonic Testing). Later we were involved in remedial testing of bridge hangers following design modification in 2008.

For more information on this iconic structure, visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Arc

M74 Completion Project – Glasgow

Axiom have been closely involved with the M74 completion project, providing site NDT services (Magnetic Particle Inspection, Ultrasonic Testing, Close Visual Inspection and Paint Inspection) within Glasgow and on the Cleveland bridge.

For more information on the M74 Completion Project, visit: www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/m74-completion

Fire Damaged Wind Turbine (Yorkshire)

This wind turbine was damaged by fire and subsequently disassembled to allow investigation into the possible cause of the fire and an assessment of structural damage. Acting on behalf of the manufacturer, Axiom  provided site NDT  services including Close Visual Inspection (CVI), Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), Eddy Current Inspection (ECI) and Positive Material Identification (PMI). Samples of material were also taken from the turbine for destructive testing and further analysis.