The disclosed embodiments include in-line inspection devices, methods to perform in-line inspections of pipeline and protective casings, and methods to determine anomalies of pipeline and protective casings. The method includes deploying an in-line inspection device in a section of a pipeline enclosed by a protective casing. While the in-line inspection device is traveling along the pipeline, the method also includes transmitting, at a frequency, a transmitted signal toward the protective casing; and detecting a scattered signal scattered by the protective casing. The method further includes detecting a scattered signal scattered by the protective casing. The method further includes locating an anomaly of the protective casing based on the scattered signal.

An acoustic while drilling receiving transducer array adopts a full-digital structure and a non-oil-filled rubber encapsulation arrangement mode, and the full-digital device of the acoustic while drilling receiving transducer array includes first modules, configured to carry out acoustic-to-electric conversion on weakly received acoustic signals of strata; second modules, configured to carry out amplification, filtering, gain control and digital-to-analog conversion on the weakly received acoustic signals; and a third module, configured to control interfaces of the device and convert external input and output signals.

Methods for determining properties of a media on an exterior of a casing in downhole systems are described. The methods include conveying a logging tool through a casing in a downhole formation, stimulating shear waves and flexural waves in the casing, obtaining a shear attenuation rate measurement and a flexural attenuation rate measurement within the casing responsive to the media on the exterior of the casing, comparing the measured shear attenuation rate and the measured flexural attenuation rate against a plurality of respective division boundary values, and determining one or more properties of the media on the exterior of the casing based on the comparison of the measured shear attenuation rate and the measured flexural attenuation rate against the plurality of respective interfaces.

A contactless odometer system can include a sensor array. The sensor array can include a plurality of sensing elements adjacent to a target surface and configured to receive signals based on a distance separating the sensing element from the adjacent surface and a defect present below the adjacent surface of the target. The system can also include a controller configured to receive the signals from first and second locations within the target and to generate first and second defect maps corresponding to the first and second locations. The controller can identify overlapping portions of first and second defect maps and can determine a translation distance in at least one direction. Related methods of determining a distance traveled by a contactless odometer system are also provided.

A method of performing a selected task in a tank at least partially filled with an energetic substance includes, in part, configuring a mobile platform to be inherently safe by positioning spark-generating components in either or both of: (i) an inherently safe enclosure that prevents a spark occurring inside the inherently safe enclosure from passing to an exterior of the inherently safe enclosure, and (ii) a spark-neutralizing body formed of at least one non-flammable substance and positioned inside an enclosure, the spark-neutralizing body blocking direct contact between a spark from the enclosed spark-generating component and an energetic substance from occurring inside the at least one enclosure. The method also includes positioning at least one spark-generating component not inside any inherently safe enclosure that prevents a spark occurring inside the inherently safe enclosure from passing to an exterior of the inherently safe enclosure. The sparks are capable of igniting the energetic substances.

A system includes an inspection robot comprising a plurality of sensor sleds; a plurality of ultra-sonic (UT) sensors; a couplant chamber mounted to each of the plurality of sleds, each couplant chamber comprising: a cone, the cone comprising a cone tip portion at an inspection surface end of the cone; a sensor mounting end opposite the cone tip portion; a couplant entry fluidly coupled to the cone at a position between the cone tip portion and the sensor mounting end; and wherein each of the UT sensors is mounted to the sensor mounting end of one of the couplant chambers.

An ultrasonic testing device performs flaw detection on a stringer having an inner circumferential surface of a substantially rectangular shape closed in a transverse section. The ultrasonic testing device includes: a shoe configured to be in contact with a corner of the inner circumferential surface of the stringer; an ultrasonic array configured to be fixed to the shoe to define, together with the shoe and the corner a medium space in which a contact medium used for propagating an ultrasonic wave is enclosed, and configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the corner and receive a reflected ultrasonic wave; and a forcing unit configured to be in contact with a corner and push the shoe against the corner.

Circumferential and axial magnetizers for a magnetic flux leakage pig. A magnet bar may comprise at least one magnet and may be configured to collapse radially inward to the shaft. Magnetizers may include a cushion disposed about the shaft and biasing the magnet bar against a pipe wall. A sensor head disposed between circuit poles at each polar end of the magnet monitors magnetic flux. The central shaft of a circumferential magnetizer or axial magnetizer may comprise a joint linking an additional smart pig module. A novel magnetizer cushion is described, as are smart pigs containing one or more circumferential or axial magnetizers.

A method of testing for defects in welds of a structure, such as a pipeline or plate structure. One or more ultrasonic guided wave transducers are placed against a wall of the structure. The orientation of the transducer(s) is such that guided waves are directed toward a weld at an angle to the weld. The transducer(s) are used to deliver guided waves and to receive reflection signals, which are then processed to indicate if a defect is present in the weld.

Methods and apparatus for inspecting oilfield infrastructure components. Methods include methods of identifying a micro-annulus outside a casing in a cemented wellbore. Methods may include transmitting an acoustic pulse incident on the casing; making a measurement of a first acoustic impedance property value from pulse-echo information generated responsive to an echo of the acoustic pulse reflected from the casing; propagating a circumferential guided wave in the casing; making a measurement of a second acoustic impedance property value from propagating wave information generated responsive to the propagating acoustic wave; and determining from the first acoustic impedance value and the second acoustic impedance value a presence of a micro-annulus between the casing and the cement.