Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, Recommended Guidelines for NDT of GRP pipe systems and

tanks
No.: 055
PART 2

Date effective: 01.03.97

Revision no:

Date revised:

Page: 10

INSPECTION OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES, DEFECT TYPES, AND

AVAILABLE NDT METHODS

GENERAL

1.1

Inspection objectives
As with all other materials, flaws in GRP can be generated during different stages of the
manufacturing process (from raw materials to finished components), during installation
and commissioning, or during operation. The purpose of inspection prior to
commissioning is to:
- Identify deviations from specifications or functional requirements as early as possible;
- Form a basis for corrective actions.
During service, the role of inspection is to:
- Assure high levels of safety and regularity during operation;
- Form a basis for maintenance evaluation/planning (including "fitness-for-purpose") Contribute to the improvement of current and future design.

1.2

Inspection strategies

1.2.1

Current strategies - strengths and limitations

Most GRP piping and tank applications have historically been inspected using a
combination of visual inspection and pressure testing. This approach has generally
functioned quite well, and it is anticipated that these two methods will remain central to
any inspection strategy for GRP. Some difficulties with the historical approach have
been noted with GRP used on offshore production facilities. This Guideline will attempt
to address the following weaknesses:
- Over-reliance on system pressure testing has occasionally been a contributing factor in
inadequate quality control of the system during various stages of manufacture, receiving
control, and installation.
- Visual inspection criteria have been overly subjective (i.e. photographic standards for
piping applications have not been readily available).
- Pressure testing often occurs at a late stage in project construction when making any
necessary repairs is most difficult (due to limited access) and costly.
- Occassionally the cost of pressure testing (including isolating the GRP systems) is
more costly than the system itself.