Quality Control and Inspection of Oil Pipelines through Non Destructive Testing (NDT): Case of Cameroon

Hydrocarbons Analysis Controls (HYDRAC) is a government company created in 1982 by Cameroon National Hydrocarbons Corporation (NHC). HYDRAC is a technical branch of NHC devoted to inspection and services in various domains HYDRAC is certified according to ISO 9001/2008, ISO 14001/2004 and ISO 17025/2005. Before 1997, inspections using non-destructive testing (NDT) technique were not widely used in the country and if there was a need, only a foreign company could carry it out using some local employees without any training and qualification. In 1997, the Government of Cameroon decided to establish the country's first facility specialized in NDT in anticipation of the services that would be required for the quality control and inspection of the 1070-km Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline. At the request of Cameroon, the IAEA supported HYDRAC since 1999 through various projects to establish the country's first capability in NDT. Specifically, the IAEA contributed towards the design of HYDRAC's NDT laboratory, provided some NDT equipment as well as training and qualification examination courses at Levels I and II in various NDT techniques, radiation safety and radiological emergency preparedness, and the operation of NDT equipment. The counterpart built NDT laboratory and recruited additional NDT personnel. Through additional assistance, the IAEA also helped HYDRAC to set up a national certification capability in industrial NDT and trained level III NDT personnel. In 2001, as a result of IAEA assistance, combined with strong commitment and continued perseverance from Stakeholders, HYDRAC in a joint venture, won the bid to provide NDT services on Chad-Cameroon pipeline and pumps stations Since then, HYDRAC provides NDT services of pipes, welds, fittings, pumps, valves, and other joints in the petrochemical industry, railways, and civil constructions, using the following NDT techniques: Industrial X and gamma ray, Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Inspection and Liquid penetrant Testing. The commercial capability of HYDRAC has been upgraded in the area of NDT: this has expanded the scope and magnitude of income-generated through new activities, thereby enhancing the sustainability and self-reliance of this company. The service offered extends not only to Cameroon industries but also to Chad and to the Central African Republic. Negotiations are in progress to offer the services in Gamma scanning in Gabon. (author)