People, processes, and complementary methods

Ensuring every weld gets the right inspection

At Aker, each weld is prequalified in the system before an inspector sees the job. Every weld receives a unique spool number, and each method requirement is defined upstream based on its classification and criticality. Once welding is finished, the welder or foreman marks the item RI, Ready for Inspection, after which all welds go through visual testing as the mandatory first step. Depending on the category, some welds require magnetic powder or penetrant, while highly critical golden welds require all available methods. PMI is performed when necessary to verify alloy composition before applying surface- or volumetric-based techniques. This structure ensures consistency, traceability, and a standardized workflow, forming the foundation for Jørgen’s reflections on how different NDT methods complement one another rather than compete.

How work arrives and is defined at Aker

How does an inspection job arrive in the system at Aker, and what steps do you follow from the moment a weld is ready until you begin surface and volumetric testing?

“There’s a mix. We can look it up ourselves in our system, but who decides which method to use? That is not really something I have to think about. In other firms, that would be a question, because you would have to find out what sort of defects you are searching for. And if it is a volumetric defect, you do not use a surface-based method. Then you would choose either X-ray or ultrasound. But here we do whatever is in the system. All welds are registered in the system under a unique spool number. Once welding is completed, the foreman or welder marks the joint as Ready for Inspection (RI). Every weld then undergoes visual testing (VT) as the mandatory first step. 

Depending on the category, additional methods such as magnetic particle or penetrant testing may be required. Highly critical “golden welds” that cannot be pressure-tested require the full range of available NDT methods to verify their integrity. In addition, I perform a lot of PMI (Positive Material Identification) to verify the material before inspection.”

How do you carry out PMI, and what comes after it in the inspection process?

“You test it with the PMI pistol, and it is also an X-ray. You shoot the weld and the base material, and it tells you the level of chrome, nickel, and so on. Low, heavy X-rays produce scattered radiation that determines the material’s composition. It is the same type of instrument you might see in a jewelry shop. We have several of them in the office.  Then I search for surface defects. You have penetrant testing, which is a penetrant dye. It is a liquid that gets drawn into cracks or pores, and then it bleeds out later in the process to indicate the defect.”

Methods and their pros and cons

From your experience, how do the different NDT methods compare, and what should inspectors understand about their strengths and limitations?

“All NDT methods have their own strengths, and none of them replace each other. X-ray, ultrasonic, penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, and even eddy current, although we do not use it much here, all serve different purposes. Magnetic particle testing is extremely sensitive and very fast to use, but it only works on magnetic materials, so if the material is not magnetic, you will not find anything. For stainless steel here, for example, magnetic particle testing still works.

Penetrant testing also has limitations. The material cannot be porous. You need a clean and fine surface, and temperature plays a big role. If you are outside in low temperatures, you need a special penetrant and longer dwell times. Eddy current, by comparison, can go through paint, which shows how different the methods are. So choosing a method often comes down to conditions and practicality, and yes, speed can be an important factor.”

Complementary methods and craftsmanship

Jørgen’s path from performing early music on the lute to inspecting welds at Aker reflects a consistent theme: precision, discipline, and doing things properly. In his daily work, that mindset translates into understanding how each NDT method contributes to the overall picture.

For him, the strength of Aker’s approach is clear, no single technique replaces another. Phased array provides detailed images of thicker materials, X-ray
delivers exceptional clarity for thin-walled piping, and surface methods like magnetic particle and penetrant testing provide fast, sensitive detection. PMI verifies the basics before any of it begins.

Together, these methods form a complementary system that ensures every weld receives the right inspection. And just as in music, where different instruments create a complete performance, Jørgen values seeing the result of careful, hands-on work: In a field built on trust and safety, this blend of craftsmanship and methodical structure is exactly what makes inspectors like Jørgen, and the complementary technologies they use essential.