Pressure tests confirm that a component can hold pressure at a specific moment, but they do not detect fine surface cracks that may propagate into fatigue failures over time. Specialized surface inspection programs are required to identify these vulnerabilities in wellhead equipment exposed to cyclic loading.
What this video covers
- Explanation of why pressure testing is insufficient for detecting surface fatigue cracks in valves and fittings.
- Application of Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT) to identify flaws on large ferrous surfaces common in wellhead equipment.
- Use of Dye Penetrant Inspection (PT) for detecting defects on non-ferrous, stainless, or non-metallic components.
- Overview of how these surface inspection methods target the high-stress areas of wellhead assemblies to prevent future failures.
These routine inspections help operators identify potential issues before they develop into more significant structural failures in the field.
ShareinLinkedIn