Failure Analysis & Failure Investigation
Failure analysis is a critical process in determining the physical root causes of problems. The process is complex, draws upon many different technical disciplines, and uses a variety of observation, inspection, and laboratory techniques.
Our Services
Failure Analysis
Failure Investigation
One of the key factors in properly performing a failure analysis is keeping an open mind while examining and analyzing the evidence to foster a clear, unbiased perspective of the failure.
Collaboration with experts in other disciplines (multi-discipline analysis) is required in certain circumstances to integrate the analysis of the evidence with a quantitative understanding of the state of stress, environment and background information on the design, manufacture, and service history of the failed component or system.
Viking Engineering has helped many operators solve some of the most complex failures in the industry. Our engineers have investigated a wide range of material failures from downhole tubular and bottom hole assemblies to surface wellhead and production equipment offshore and onshore. Viking Engineering can provide expertise from sample collection to the courtroom, if necessary. In addition, we can also help our clients avoid future problems by providing design modifications based on the failure causes.
Failure Analysis Services
Our services range from conducting analyses on failed downhole, subsea, and surface components and resolving complex failure issues of proprietary and API connections to investigating the causes of catastrophic failures due to corrosion and/or environmental assisted cracking (i.e. SSC, SCC, HSC, HIC etc..).
Our scientists and engineers can perform metallurgical evaluations, fracture surface evaluations and failure analysis of downhole tubular components using a multi-discipline approach based on materials & corrosion, tubular mechanics and chemistry.
Viking engineers are also capable of investigating downhole tubular component failures using commercial well design software packages (i.e. TDAS® , WELLCAT™ , and in-house developed models) to evaluate pipe body and connection stresses at failure locations.
Viking engineers and metallurgists are also knowledgeable in the areas of microstructural characterization, fracture surface evaluation (SEM/EDS fractography evaluations), mechanical testing (tensile, hardness, CVN), and fracture mechanics testing (KIC, JIC, J-R).
Failure Investigation Services
We can provide expertise from sample collection to the courtroom, if necessary. In addition, we can also help our clients avoid future problems by providing design modifications based on the failure causes.
Downhole Force Analysis
Assessment of Field Conditions Leading to Failure
Multi-Discipline Approach for Determining Failure Modes
Material & Stress Analysis
Metallurgical Analysis & Testing
Interface with Manufacturers
Wellsite Installation per Industry Best Practice
Recommendations for Future Practices
Consult Our Specialist
Related Resources
