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A requirement under Offshore Standard DNV-OS-F101, AUT process validation is critical to Majors and supply chain partners in demonstrating that weld inspection systems are capable of accurately detecting and sizing defects, ensuring pipelines are free of critical faults.

Rick Sluiters, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s VP of European Operations, said: “This partnership agreement positions ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ at the forefront of AUT validation, offering customers access to industry-leading expertise from two globally-recognized providers.

“Performed in the heart of Continental Europe’s Oil & Gas hub in the Netherlands, the nature of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s global platform means that the service will benefit US-based customers too, as knowledge, methodologies and systems are shared across our 40 laboratories worldwide to form a consistent service."

Under the service agreement, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Breda and Amsterdam, Netherlands, will undertake the complex metallurgical sectioning required to perform AUT validation, while Bodycote Hardingscentrum B.V. in Diemen, the Netherlands, will provide immersion ultrasonic testing (IUT) support.

Rick added: “As the Oil & Gas industry’s focus continues to center on deeper, colder and more extreme environments, enhanced pipeline testing services capable of identifying smaller defects are being sought by key customers. The development of this enhanced service has been a direct result of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s partner-led approach to investment, whereby the company continuously strengthens its capabilities in consultation with customers and assessing their needs.”

The launch of its new AUT validation service is the latest capability and capacity expansion made by ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ as part of a wider strategic investment program in its Oil & Gas testing capabilities. It follows announcements of several laboratory upgrade projects, including the creation of a $5 million technology center in Houston, the first of its kind in the country, a $2 million redesign of a facility in Breda, the $1 million move of the Amsterdam facility and the strategic move of the Antwerp facility to an improved stand-alone location, which includes machining capabilities. The company has also hired several world-renowned technical experts over the past year as it seeks to establish its Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) service.