SGS Provides NDT Services for Escravos Gas Project in Nigeria

May 7, 2012 - PRLog -- On February 11, 2012, SGS was awarded a non-destructive testing services contract by West African Ventures (WAV) for the Escravos Gas Project (EGP-3) in Nigeria. For the duration of the contract, SGS will provide non-destructive testing of welds using x-ray pipeline crawlers, ultrasonic testing (UT) and magnetic particle testing services.  

EGP-3, which is located within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, is one of the largest projects ever to be undertaken in Nigeria, with an aim of harnessing the gas-rich resources of the Escravos field. With the onstream start predicted for the end of the year, the completed gas project is anticipated to harvest an additional 395 million cubic feet of gas per day. The Escravos Gas-to-Liquid Project (EGTL), which will utilize part of the EGP-3 gas output as a feedstock, with both projects forming a joint venture project between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), aims to upgrade approximately 325 mmcf/d of gas into approaching 33,200 barrels of high quality diesel, naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas.

As the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS will work on the project for one month from April 2012 and for another month towards the end of 2012 or early in 2013. With its first-rate experience and competence in non-destructive testing (NDT) services (http://www.sgs.com/en/Oil-Gas/Project-Life-Cycle-Services...), SGS will contribute to the safe and efficient operation of project equipment and assets by detecting defects before damage can occur, while also ensuring compliance with international standards.  

During the entire contract, SGS will employ two methods: ultrasonic testing, which uses sound waves of short wavelength at high frequencies in order to detect flaws and corrosion as well as measure the thickness of material, and magnetic particle testing to detect cracks on or just below the surface of ferrous materials, furnishing users with a quick and reliable technique for finding the location of surface cracks.

Awarded the contract by West African Ventures, an enterprise that delivers offshore, inshore and onshore services to the oil industry, SGS experts will carry out non-destructive testing of welds with the help of x-ray pipeline crawlers as well as ultrasonic testing (UT) and magnetic particle testing of 15km of pipe where required. West African Ventures chose SGS due to its long experience in providing third party testing and inspection services for both onshore and offshore pipeline projects.

In employing SGS, West African Ventures can be certain that the Escravos Gas Project will benefit from the monitoring of pipe integrity, the detection of defects and irregularities before the occurrence of severe damage or regulatory non-compliance, as well as safe and reliable facility operation. SGS will ensure the top quality of the pipe being laid for this historically important gas project, with eleven SGS staff onboard the pipe lay vessel JASCON 34, covering a 24 hour shift seven days of the week.

For further information, please contact:

SGS Nigeria
George Mclean
Project Manager Industrial
No1 Wogu Street
D/Line Portharcourt
Nigeria
t: +234 07034173793
E-mail: industrial.pr@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/oil-gas


SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 70,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,350 offices and laboratories around the world.