I am working on a solution that involves installing radio networks throughout oil platforms. I've been told there are certain scenarios in which all sources of radio (rf) energy need to be shut down when there is radiographic non destructive testing taking place on the platform.

I've tried searching the interwebs but have only found a few obscure references that rf will interfere with digital radiography equipment.. however this is within the context of medical equipment, not offshore.

Anyone familiar with this?

Radiography should have no issue with this.

It is likely ultrasonic NDT methods are the issue. Less advanced UT has issue with frequency and noise.

Thanks!

Moses, you've made some posts that have me interested in what you're working on. Is it something you can discuss offline? If so, shoot me an email at my handle at gmail.

I don't know about radiographic testing, but you absolutely have to shut down all radios when working with explosives for perforating, setting plugs, etc.

barney94 said:

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I don't know about radiographic testing, but you absolutely have to shut down all radios when working with explosives for perforating, setting plugs, etc.

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This.

I do NDT on aircraft and have never heard of radiography affecting instruments or even armament. Or are you asking if radios interfere with radiography? I have never heard or been taught that as an issue either. In any open environment aren't there radio waves/ frequency always present? Have you looked into OSHA regs?

I'm not sure about UT either, unless the sound is directly induced into the radio source...

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I don't know about radiographic testing, but you absolutely have to shut down all radios when working with explosives for perforating, setting plugs, etc.

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This makes a lot of sense. I worked in a live petrochemical plant for 5 years had never run into a situation requiring radio silence.

I reread the OP. If for radiography, are you sure the shut down isn't because you are too close to radiation? In brief, being exposed to radiation is bad.

Is this what you are referring to?

barney94 said:

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I don't know about radiographic testing, but you absolutely have to shut down all radios when working with explosives for perforating, setting plugs, etc.

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This is getting very rare. Lots of radios going on multi-well pads. Even the wireline crew uses radios while picking up plugs and perf guns. You need coordination between wireline operator and crane operator while picking up tools into lubricator. Coordination between wireline operator and pump operator to open well and pump down.

Yeah I don't know where this comes from. On aircraft, the pilot needs radio communication with ground and tower while strapped up with several kinds of explosives, not to mention radar etc. I think it's more of an issue with static (pulling out your phone from your pocket) but it sounds more terrifying that a signal could trigger an explosive so they just stick with that.

@Dan E-mail sent

Never heard that one for X-ray, ut, or mag particle inspection Radio silence when handling perf guns .... absolutely

Explosive initiators can take as little as 5 mW of power to start the reaction (milli watts). The radiated power can be picked up by the wire to the initiator (looks like an antenna), induce a current and then set off the explosive.

There are specific tests that have to be done for an electronic device to say it is 'radio safe'. But that takes lots of time and money, so it is easier to just make everyone turn off radios.

For reference, a drilling ship usually takes about 24 hours to certify radio silence.



Note: I worked for a competitor of explosive cutters and one of their selling points is their tools are radio safe and are non-explosive.

~egon

TxAg20 said:

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barney94 said:

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I don't know about radiographic testing, but you absolutely have to shut down all radios when working with explosives for perforating, setting plugs, etc.

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This is getting very rare. Lots of radios going on multi-well pads. Even the wireline crew uses radios while picking up plugs and perf guns. You need coordination between wireline operator and crane operator while picking up tools into lubricator. Coordination between wireline operator and pump operator to open well and pump down.

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Yeah we just don't use radios within like 30' of the wireline van.

I work on offshore vessels. We have UHF repeated network, vhf radios everywhere and many other exciting networks!
Never heard Of a request to shut anything down to accommodate NDT work. Whatever system you implement should Incorporate an easy shutdown be it a well labeled breaker etc. You never know for what reason you will need to shut something down.