SGS performed storage tank inspection at the Cartagena Refinery expansion

The expansion of the Cartagena Refinery to a capacity of 140 thousand barrels day is a strategic project for Colombia. Another aim of the project is to improve the quality of the fuels to meet national and international environmental standards, and to optimize financial and operational indicators. It is estimated that the project will be completed by 2010.

SGS Colombia was responsible for the inspection of floating-roof and conical-roof tanks with sizes between 20,000 to 130,000 barrels and evaluated the tank bottoms and roofs, as well as tank shells. (http://www.ndt.sgs.com/storage-tanks-ndt)

For the inspection of tank bottoms and roofs, SGS inspectors used Ultrasonic Testing (UT) methods such as B Scan and C Scan in order to detect corrosion. B Scan provides a cross-sectional image of the material and detects material thinning which is caused by corrosion in the inside of tank walls. The C Scan is used as one of the last tools during the inspection process as it is more accurate than the B SCAN. The C Scan is able to make cross-sectional images and identify failures of items located underground.

For the assessment of the wall thickness of tank shells, SGS used an ultrasonic crawler, a tool designed to cost-effectively take ultrasound thickness measurements on above-ground ferro-magnetic structures, without the need for costly scaffolding or industrial rope access.

The inspection services required 12 qualified SGS inspectors in order to ensure precise performance of the inspection as well as correct identification and orientation of the imperfections and reporting of the findings. The SGS inspection services were carried out in accordance with applicable Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) requirements as well as to the API 653 Program (http://www.api.org/certifications/icp/programs/api653.cfm).

SGS offers comprehensive NDT and Inspection Services and has the necessary experience, accreditations and advanced equipment to expertly carry out controls, inspections and measurements to ensure security and safety, for both existing and new installations. Our Inspection Services are completed by our Asset Integrity Management Services (http://www.assetintegrity.sgs.com/assetintegrity), providing clients with a clear line of sight for all inspection, reporting and asset integrity management activities.

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than 56,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS Industrial Services
Omar Andres Leon
Asistente Operativo Comercial
SGS Colombia S.A.
Cra. 16A 78-11 Piso 3
Bogota, Colombia
Tel.: (571) 6069292
Fax: (571) 6359252

industrial.pr@sgs.com
www.sgs.com/ndt

This release was published on openPR.