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

tanks
No.: 055

Date effective: 01.03.97

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Need

Revision no:

Date revised:

Page: 7

GRP materials have been used with increasing frequency within the petroleum industry
during the last 10 years, and are particularly suited for offshore applications. Compared
to many metallic materials, GRP provides good corrosion resistance, low weight, high
strength-to-weight ratio, long service life, low maintenance costs, and faster and easier
installation. The lack of commonly accepted inspection practices and defect acceptance
criteria causes most GRP users some uncertainity, which typically results in additional
costs associated with overly conservative or non-conservative responses. This
Guideline will help reduce uncertainity and associated costs by summarizing what is
presently known about GRP inspection.
1.2

Guideline users
This Guideline is intended for use by all suitably qualified par ties involved in the
procurement, manufacture, prefabrication, installation, commissioning, and operation of
GRP pipe systems and tanks. Typical parties will include:
-

1.3

operators;
manufacturers;
fabricators and installation contractors;
inspection, repair and maintenance personnel/contractors;
Certifying Authorities and Government Agencies.

Guideline layout
There are six parts in this Guideline. The selected format follows both NORSOK M-CR621 [1] and UKOOA's "Specification and Recommended Practice for the use of GRP
Piping Offshore" [2] in order to facilitate possible consolidation with these standards in
the future. Each of Parts 3-6 corresponds to a different stage in the life of the GRP
product. In addition, Annexes A-H provide detailed information for each NDT method
plus acceptance criteria.
Part 1 (Philosophy and Scope)[UKOOA Part 1] identifies the applications that the
Guideline is intended to cover, together with anticipated end users. Design issues are
not addressed in this Guideline except where redesign is the appropriate corrective
action.
Part 2 (Inspection Objectives, Defect Types, and Currently Available NDT
Methods) presents a brief summary of defect types and inspection methods which are
in use with GRP piping and tank systems, along with inspection strategies.
Part 3 (Manufacture )[UKOOA Part 2] addresses quality assurance inspection during
manufacture of basic piping components or tanks.
Part 4 (Prefabrication and Receiving Inspection )[UKOOA Part 4] addresses quality
assurance inspection during prefabrication of piping spools at either manufacturers' or
third party facilities, together with receiving inspection performed following transport of
spools or tanks.
Part 5 (Installation and Commissioning)[UKOOA Part 4] addresses NDT performed to
verify correct system installation and function.