In-service corrosion under pipe supports is a significant concern to asset owners and operators, with several in-service leaks and ruptures being attributed to this type of corrosion. HOIS has conducted a series of blind trials between 2012 and 2024 which has allowed us to issue confidential guidance to our members on the inspection of pipe supports.
This guidance is relatively comprehensive, however to date none of the HOIS trials have included welded supports. It is anticipated that the presence of welds would influence the effectiveness of many of the commonly applied NDT methods for inspection around pipe supports resulting in a potential gap in the existing guidance.
This project is intended to address this gap through a series of further blind trials. These trials would provide the evidence required to address the gaps in the existing HOIS guidance, making the document more complete and allowing HOIS members to more confidently and effectively manage all types of pipe supports within their assets.
Twenty-six trial samples have been designed and manufactured. These samples comprise a mixture of pipes with welded saddle supports, and with no supports.
The aim is to start the trials in Q2 2026 with the following techniques being assessed: M-Skip, QSR, PAUT and PA-CAT.