Precision Drilling Technology Services Group, Inc.

Ico, Inc.

John Haynes

Gary Lee Fickert

An inspection system for detecting flaws in oil and gas well borehole ferromagnetic tubulars. The inspection device operates inside the tubular by first saturating tubular wall with magnetic flux. Flaws in the wall causes flux leakage, and the magnitude of the flux leakage are measured with Hall effect sensors disposed within the inspection device. The magnitude of flux leakage is then related to the amount of ferromagnetic material loss resulting from the flaw. Eddy currents induced in the wall are also measured and combined with the Hall effect sensor measurements to define location and geometric shape of the flaw.

Oil and gas well tubular inspection system using hall effect sensors

The invention is a compact ultrasonic tester involving rotating sensors. The processor rotates with the sensors so that the output signal of the processor goes through the slip rings, rather than the output signal of the sensors. A spraying system is incorporated in conjunction with rollers. The rollers take the applied spray on the pipe surface and paint a film on the outer pipe surface to allow a good contact for meaningful results. A floating shoe is provided for holding each sensor against the pipe wall. The sensors are biased into contact with the pipe surface and the machine can handle different diameters of pipe. By controlling the pipe speed of advance and the rotational speed of the sensors, 100 percent coverage of the pipe wall is assured. The machine is compact and can be installed behind existing electromagnetic/gamma testers without major modifications to pipe-testing facilities.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

John Haynes