DNV GL has opened a failure analysis facility in Houston, Texas which will provide failure analyses that support the industry in conducting effective and efficient root cause analyses. The aim is to prevent and learn from failures and continue to improve safety, reliability and up-time, the company said in its release.
The facility will carry out the crucial initial steps of a failure investigation, which could include visual inspection, non-destructive testing [NDT], disassembly, cutting of components, etc. The facility will interact seamlessly with DNV GL’s large and very experienced team of experts in Columbus, OH who are able to carry out further analyses, which may include metallography, fractography (scanning electron microscopy), mechanical testing, chemical analysis, etc. as well as draw on experience from several 1,000 failure analyses carried out in DNV GL’s network of failure labs in the US, Norway, Singapore, The Netherlands and the UK.
The new facility will expand the breadth of failure investigations that can be performed and the strategic location in Houston ensures proximity to DNV GL customers as well as the vast offshore and onshore pipeline infrastructure located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
DNV GL has experience with examining failures of a wide range of components from offshore/onshore pipelines, offshore structure and subsea equipment, machinery, compressors, wind turbines etc.
The facility consists of a large warehouse to support receiving, inspecting, and storing large pipe sections and other failed components, as well as office space and other facilities.