Author: Ross

In the realm of engineered composite repair solutions, we are able to propose Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to assess more complex scenarios

ICR has significant experience in the field of composite engineering. This, coupled with our Finite Element Analysis (FEA) offering, means we are able to provide in-depth analysis and insight into a variety of complex loading scenarios for the use of composite repairs in both pipework and structures.

Over the last year Tristan Huet Ceng IoM3, ICR’s Structural FEA Engineer, has been developing the material models to use in performing analysis on complex composite repair scopes e.g structural walkways, high pressure pipes, pipe supports and crane boom rests. ICR are now in a position to offer our clients a comprehensive solution to verify the use of composite repairs in complex loading scenarios.

Click here to access our FAQ,  or get in touch with Shona Mackenzie or Tristan Huet Ceng IoM3 if you are interested in hearing more about our capabilities.

We are delighted to announce that, after a competitive tender process, we have secured a Master Service Agreement for the provision of engineering repair services for all of TAQA Group’s northern and central North Sea assets.

The initial contract is for five years with two 1-year extension options.

Ryan Crabb Technowrap™ Key Account Manager for TAQA said: “We are delighted to be continuing our ongoing relationship with TAQA. We have a long history of working with TAQA so this is great news for the team.”

ICR Integrity has been awarded a long-term hire contract with Aker Solutions for the provision of Quickflange™ weldless connections for bp’s offshore assets in Angola.

The award recognises ICR’s commitment to growing the business further in West Africa having appointed Petrowork as its local partner, with offices in Luanda, for repair and integrity services including both Quickflange™ and Technowrap™ engineered composite repairs. This allows the company to hold equipment in-country and have local, trained technicians on-hand to respond quickly to client requests.

Phil Paterson, Business Development Manager at ICR, said: “We are delighted to secure this contract which builds on our existing long-term relationship with Aker Solutions. ICR is committed to supporting our global clients and we continue to invest in key regions to ensure a dedicated offering is always delivered. This contract follows on from the ongoing rental agreement and demonstrates the relationship we have with Aker Solutions as well the internationally recognised quality of the products and services we offer. Quickflange™ is qualified and approved to several international type standards and is proven in improving pipeline integrity which is imperative to our clients.”

Fred Nordheim, Supply Chain Manager Aker Solutions, added “We are very active in the region and the Quickflange™ technology has proven to be a safe and effective solution for us on our brownfield modifications and maintenance project. It’s great to continue working with ICR in Angola.”

Headquartered in Aberdeen, ICR operates in global locations with operational bases in the UK, Norway, Abu Dhabi, USA and Australia as well as partners in over 25 countries worldwide.

By Frankie Suarez, Business Manager, ICR’s Sky-Futures™

As the industry looks towards a zero emissions future, technology will play a vital role in supporting this transition.  At Sky-Futures™, we are proving how advancements in UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) and sensor technology can support many sectors both on and offshore in the drive to achieve Net Zero Targets.

Our recent partnership with SeekOps Inc provides end-to-end asset level methane emissions quantification, including data capture, analysis and reporting. By utilising the SeekIR® sensor mounted to a UAS, the technology can provide methane Leak Detection and Quantification (LDAQ) of an impressive 1SCFH from 100m. The technology was originally designed by the co-founders of SeekOps for use by NASA on the Curiosity Rover sent to Mars and has now been adapted for utilisation in many other industries, with Sky-Futures™ being a global service delivery partner. The SeekOps training team have delivered bespoke training to our highly experienced Inspection Engineers and Remote Pilots. This has enabled Sky-Futures™ to deliver methane emission quantification operations on and offshore in recent months.

The agile and accurate technology allows operators to increase their health, safety and environmental performance in a very cost effective and efficient manner.  The comprehensive emissions inspection service is also completed in a fraction of the time of traditional surveys. As discussions continue to guide further regulation in this area, especially in the oil and gas sector, operators are required to understand and mitigate methane emissions. By providing quantified, actionable data, operators will be able to find solutions or mitigations in an efficient manner, whilst also showing positive accountability to the regulators.

For site surveys, both methane concentration data and wind vector data are collected using the UAS. The data is then processed to localise the emissions source(s) and provide an emission rate estimate. Localisation of each emission source is at equipment group level or better and any rate estimates are provided with upper and lower bounds. The SeekIR® sensor is flown downwind of equipment components to detect methane emission concentrations. The emissions can be seen in real-time on a ground control station monitored by an operator, further flights are conducted targeting specific areas.

The inspection strategy consists of an initial survey using a comprehensive flight pattern to ensure that all emission areas are identified.  Further inspections are then conducted with all repeat flights at each module using a follow-up inspection procedure. This includes a rapid inspection of all modular equipment to detect any new emission sources though focuses mainly on the known emissions that were detected during the initial inspection.

Thereafter, the UAS can fly the sensor at targeted zones on the facility to focus on particular areas of interest, such as flares, turbines, well heads, exhausts and venting sources. This enables further detection and quantification of methane emissions on the facility, at the module level.

Methane emission operations offshore bring very unique challenges and Sky-Futures™ have harnessed their 10 years’ experience of operating unmanned systems offshore to enable this service to be delivered safely and efficiently.

Ambitious but very encouraging progress so far, the technology is helping the industry’s joint path to Net Zero.

Read Frankie’s article in the AGCC Business Bulletin (November, 2021) here

Sky-Futures™, an ICR Integrity company who provide drone based inspection services, has delivered a successful trial for its methane detection technology, SeekIR®, for its client Equinor. 

Sky-Futures™ partnered with Texas based SeekOps® earlier this year to provide clients with an end-to-end service on its Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) both onshore and offshore – this includes data capture, data analysis and reporting with the addition of its methane quantification technology to help clients locate leak sources.  Equinor has already been successfully using the technology as they trial methane detection equipment. 

XX, XX from Equinor, added: “As we look to a zero emissions future, we have been investing in trials of different methane detection technologies at our Kollsnes Gas Plant near Bergen in Norway and the most successful products will be utilised across Equinor going forward. The Sky-Futures™ team surveyed the entire gas plant for methane emissions and also performed a series of controlled release measurements. We have been impressed with how agile and accurate the technology has been and look forward to working with ICR and SeekOps® in the future.”

The methane detection sensor on The SeekIR® sensor can provide methane Leak Detection and Quantification (LDAQ) of an impressive 1SCFH from 100m.

Suzanne Donald, Head of Sales (Oil & Gas) at Sky-Futures™, said: “It’s exciting to be able to bring this technology to our clients in different industries helping them to achieve their best health, safety and environmental performance whilst enabling cost-effective, comprehensive emissions inspection in a fraction of the time required by traditional surveys. This results in significant cost savings for our clients. We are now completing methane quantification surveys for our clients onshore and offshore in the UK, Scandinavia and Europe making meeting Net Zero emissions all the more achievable.”

The technology was originally designed by the co-founders of SeekOps® for use by NASA on the Curiosity Rover sent to Mars and has now been adapted for utilisation in other industries, onshore and offshore, with Sky-Futures™ being a global service delivery partner. The team can then also further assist clients in meeting their Net Zero emissions targets by utilising ICR’s leak sealing solutions.

For further information on our Sky-Futures™ and SeekOps® methane detection contact Suzanne Donald on +44 (0) 7903 857988 or email Suzanne.Donald@ICR-world.com

Darryl Dixon from our Carnforth facility has successfully completed an incredible feat of cycling from Land’s End to John O’ Groats.

Cycling almost 1,000 miles over 6 days, Darryl has overcome some of the year’s most atrocious weather on his route, often being soaked to the skin.

Darryl cycled into John O’Groats on Friday evening, completing the gruelling journey in aid of Furness General Hospital and has so far raised a staggering £7,900 – 150% of the initial target amount! Darryl’s route took him through roads, paths, alongside canals, rivers and Lochs and some of the UK’s most stunning scenery and pushed him to the limit both physically and mentally.

With a thoroughly wet start to the trek, some tree-felling obstacles along the way and a cruel headwind for the last 45miles, Darryl’s resolve was tested to the limit. Buoyed by thousands of pounds in donations from friends, family and colleagues around the world, Darryl stuck it out and was joined along the way by friends and colleagues who rode with him and provided road support with food, clothing, medical back up and accommodation.

The current donation total stands at over £8,000 – cash that will be making its way to the NHS Bay Hospitals Charity on behalf of Furness General Hospital. Darryl said of the good cause, “This is to support our local NHS workers who continue to work so selflessly before and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. I can’t think of a more fitting organisation at this time.”

Upon completing his momentous journey, Darryl said: “Truly amazing! Although that head wind nearly finished me at the end! So pleased to have completed LEJOG in the 6 days. There were times when it could have ended. A great experience!”

There’s still time to donate to Darryl’s fund and you can do so here https://justgiving.com/fundraising/nhs-lejog2021

Darryl was sponsored by ICR Integrity Ltd, Bender UK, UK Slate and SN Group.

OMNI Integrity (OMNI), a subsidiary company of ICR Integrity Ltd, has launched a single source platform which improves data set integration and drives efficiencies to the integrity lifecycle workflow, through automation. OMNI’s platform streamlines traditional data capture methods by providing a cloud-based solution capable of integrating with the latest advancements in inspection technology, to store all inspection and condition monitoring methods into a centralised location for more informed business decisions.

A project funded by Innovate UK saw a joint collaboration between OMNI Integrity, STC Insiso and Ionix Advanced Technologies; using the Ionix HotSense™ ultrasonic corrosion monitoring sensor, to achieve a proof of concept for OMNI’s latest Internet of Things (IoT) data capture product.

The project was undertaken to create a centralised hub for connecting inspection technology (including advanced corrosion monitoring sensors, mobile tablet reporting, wireless and automated corrosion sensors, drones, robotics and ROV’s) into an integrity management platform, to improve the efficiency of interpreting and managing the resulting activities.

The project allowed OMNI to develop an IoT application into the technical architecture of the software, where it was then able to connect and accept live data directly from the corrosion monitoring sensor. The application was developed in such a way that it is agnostic and can be integrated with different technology stacks, providing asset owners with a common platform for recording all inspection data in a consistent format, and seamlessly integrating the latest advancements in technology to the integrity process.

On completion of the project, OMNI’s new IoT application is able to autonomously achieve:

• Live corrosion sensor data integration
• Automatic data analysis and defect detection, through integrity operating windows (IOW’s)
• Enables workpacks, inspections and anomalies to be raised and assessed;
• Enables repair work orders to be raised and planned, with live API connection to CMMS
• Full tracking and visualisation through automated KPI dashboard
• All activities communicated through the built-in communications hub

At the heart of OMNI’s platform is a full-lifecycle integrity management software. This includes a suite of 5 integrity modules, including Risk Based Assessment, Workpack, Inspection, Anomaly and Repair Modules, in which the new data capture product now forms an integral part of and provides a complete end-to-end integrity management capability.

Within all industries, visibility is key, and that is why OMNI has been developed to be applied to sectors including renewables, nuclear and oil & gas, providing organisations with the latest empirical data in which to take highly informed business decisions. Assisting with improving the remote inspection process, OMNI helps operators extend asset life in a more efficient, yet cost effective way, whilst allowing organisations to rapidly deploy a full lifecycle digital solution and implement best practice.

A renewal agreement for Quickflange™ services with Apache Corporation’s North Sea subsidiaries has been signed.

Quickflange™ is ICR’s high-performing, patented technology for permanent weldless flange to pipe connections. The solution combines a modified standard ASME B16.5 weld neck flange with a hydraulic tool, which is quick to mount and requires no hot work or welding.

Lindsay Thomas, Head of Sales – Quickflange™ at ICR, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Apache that dates back to 2009. We were initially awarded a contract extension in 2017 and re-bid for the work last year and we’re delighted to have been successful again. This renewal is a testament to the relationship we have with Apache, but also the quality of our Quickflange™ product and customer service.

“Quickflange™ offers clients permanent repair options without the need for shutdowns or hot work permits, making it a cost effective and efficient way of performing repairs. The technology has a long-standing track record, particularly in the North Sea, but we’re now seeing a growing demand for solutions onshore, out with the traditional oil and gas sector and also in our international locations. ”

ICR Integrity Ltd (ICR) is a leading provider of integrated maintenance, repair and production solutions for industrial related services to the offshore oil & gas, power, chemical, nuclear, defence and renewables industries worldwide.