(GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies: Groby, England) -- For the first time in the world, computed radiography for weld inspection has been qualified and validated for inspection of steel pipes that are up to 3.5 inches (89 mm) in diameter. Brazilian oil and gas company Petrobras has qualified this technique using the CR 50P, a portable computed radiography scanner and patented phosphor imaging plates (IP) from GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies. This qualification will increase productivity by eliminating the time and cost associated with conventional X-ray techniques.

“The speed and efficiency of the CR 50P were two critical factors that helped Petrobras complete the computed radiography qualification process for weld inspection of such small diameter pipes,” says Eugenio Soldá, Latin American region leader for GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies. “Working closely with Petrobras allowed GE the opportunity to fully understand its specific needs and provide a cutting edge solution.”

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