Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Internal flaw detection and remaining-wall measurement for oilfield tools, tubulars, and machined components.
Ultrasonic testing (UT) introduces high-frequency sound energy into a component to evaluate its internal condition without disassembling or damaging the part. A transducer, coupled to the surface, sends a sound beam through the material. When that beam meets a boundary — a back wall, a machined face, or an internal reflector — part of the energy returns to the transducer and is displayed on a calibrated instrument. Reading the timing and amplitude of those returns allows our technicians to assess the location of relevant indications within the inspected area.
Where material, geometry, access, and the applicable procedure permit, UT can support internal flaw detection and remaining-wall measurement on selected oilfield tools, tubulars, welds, and machined components. The findings support maintenance, repair evaluation, and disposition decisions made against acceptance criteria specified by the customer, applicable procedure, or governing requirement.
We apply UT in three related ways: ultrasonic thickness measurement, which quantifies remaining wall thickness; conventional ultrasonic flaw detection, which evaluates the inspected area for internal reflectors; and ultrasonic shear-wave inspection, which uses angled sound beams to examine welds and components for planar discontinuities where material, geometry, access, procedure, and the requested scope permit. The three answer different questions, and not every inspection requires all of them.
How ultrasonic testing works
Ultrasonic flaw detection vs. thickness testing
Ultrasonic flaw detection evaluates the inspected area for internal reflectors — such as cracks, lack of fusion, inclusions, or laminations — and records their location relative to the calibration.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement reads the time-of-flight to the back wall to calculate remaining wall thickness. It is used to track wall loss, erosion, and general thinning trends.
A thickness survey can identify an area of thinning; a flaw-detection exam can identify a suspect reflector for further evaluation. Many programs use both, but they are ordered for different reasons and reported separately.
Ultrasonic shear-wave inspection is a related flaw-detection technique that uses an angled sound beam to evaluate welds and components for planar discontinuities — such as lack of fusion or cracks oriented away from the scanning surface — where material, geometry, access, procedure, and the requested scope permit. It is selected when the orientation or location of the suspected condition makes a straight beam less effective, and findings are evaluated against the applicable procedure and acceptance criteria.
Common UT applications in oilfield equipment
- Remaining-wall measurement on tubulars to track wear and erosion
- Internal examination of selected BHA components, subs, and stabilizers
- Body and wear-surface examination on fishing tools
- Weld and repair-weld examination where internal condition must be evaluated
- Machined-component examination for internal indications in critical areas
- Remaining-wall measurement on components returned from service before redeployment
What UT can and cannot reveal
Can identify
- Internal cracks and planar discontinuities
- Lack of fusion and incomplete penetration in welds
- Inclusions and laminations
- Remaining wall thickness and wall-loss trends
- Lamination-type indications in plate and tubular bodies
Does not directly establish
- Tight surface-breaking cracks, which may be better addressed by MT or PT
- Conditions on materials or geometries where sound cannot be reliably coupled or interpreted
- A final accept/reject determination on its own — that comes from comparing findings to the acceptance criteria specified by the customer, applicable procedure, or governing requirement
When wall-thickness data matters
Thickness measurement is most useful when it informs a decision — when equipment is coming out of service, before redeployment, when a wear pattern is suspected, or as part of a recurring program that tracks wall loss over time. Individual readings provide a point-in-time measurement; a series of readings over the life of an asset supports trend-based disposition.
Limitations and method selection
UT requires a sound path and a surface that will accept a transducer. Rough, irregular, or thin geometries can limit examination. Some coarse-grained materials scatter sound and reduce sensitivity. Tight surface-breaking cracks are often better addressed with magnetic particle or penetrant testing, and visual examination first can help direct UT to areas worth scanning. UT is frequently paired with other methods — VT to screen, MT or PT for surface, UT for conditions beneath the surface.
When to schedule
- Before redeployment of high-value or load-bearing components
- After a component is retrieved from service
- Following machining, repair, or welding
- When wall loss, erosion, or thinning is suspected
- Before returning repaired equipment to service
- As part of a recurring customer inspection program
Reporting and customer experience
Depending on the method and scope, inspection documentation may include equipment identification, inspected areas, applicable setup or calibration information, recorded measurements or indications, and relevant findings. Where thickness is measured, remaining-wall values are reported by location. Where connected to the customer account and inspection workflow, results may be made available through Basin’s customer-facing reporting platform.
Related Reading
If you need to evaluate internal condition or track wall thickness on equipment heading back to service, we’ll scope a UT inspection to fit the equipment and the applicable acceptance criteria.
Request This ServiceTypical Applications
- Remaining-wall measurement on tubulars
- Internal examination of selected BHA components, subs, and stabilizers
- Body and wear-surface examination on fishing tools
- Weld and repair-weld examination
- Machined-component internal examination
- Remaining-wall measurement on returned equipment
Inspection Basis
Inspections are performed using applicable Basin procedures, customer requirements, and project-specific acceptance criteria. Contact Basin NDT to confirm the inspection basis for your equipment and scope.
What You Receive
Depending on the method and scope, inspection documentation may include equipment identification, inspected areas, applicable setup or calibration information, recorded measurements, and relevant indications.
Where We Provide This Service
Ultrasonic Testing Across the Permian Basin
Basin NDT provides ultrasonic testing support across key oilfield markets throughout the Permian Basin and surrounding regions, with field and shop inspection coordinated around mobilization and production schedules.
Basin provides inspection services across these markets rather than operating a customer-facing yard in every community.
More Services
Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
Surface and near-surface examination of ferromagnetic oilfield components using wet fluorescent magnetic particle testing.
Penetrant Testing (PT / Dye Penetrant)
Dye penetrant inspection for surface-breaking indications on welds, machined components, and non-ferromagnetic oilfield parts.
Visual Testing (VT)
Direct visual examination of oilfield tools and components for surface condition, workmanship, and observable damage.
Eddy Current Testing (ET)
Couplant-free electromagnetic examination of conductive components for surface and near-surface indications.
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