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Buffalo Has First Paper Presented at CINDE Conference

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Executive Summary

This paper documents the development of an alternative ultrasonic testing (UT) technique for examination of structural welds as per CSA W59.

The purpose of developing a new technique is to bring CSA W59 into the 21st century, allowing for modern techniques, equipment, and to provide a pathway for future development not permitted by the current 1960’s-era practices. The existing techniques were part of the 1969 edition of AWS D1.0. They were not developed from scientific principles or empirical evidence, yet have remained the “line in the sand” for structural UT in North America for nearly 50 years. Since then, exponential changes have taken place in technology and in the general UT world, yet Canadian and U.S codes have failed to keep pace. This has resulted in awkward techniques that many technicians misunderstand and circumvent. Ultimately, these outdated techniques fail to serve the purposes of repeatable and accurate inspections they propose to facilitate.

The existing fixed attenuation, or “FA” technique is shown to be based on assumptions of sound attenuation and inspection angles which do not hold up under scientific scrutiny. There is a philosophy of “one probe to rule them all” and angle-specific procedure tables which were installed to achieve consistent inspection results. However, the practices involved in limiting one’s options does not produce the consistencies intended. A new technique is presented which is similar to those used elsewhere in the UT industry. This is written as a true alternative to the existing technique, offering adapted acceptance criteria that retain the existing quality levels. Mathematical models and experimental data are presented which were used to generate the new criteria. Equivalence is also demonstrated through modeling. Variation in results is also significantly reduced.

The proposed alternative technique is under public review for inclusion in CSA W59-2018. The techniques developed in 1969 have served industry well for a very long time, but change is inevitable. To progress in a world of rapidly advancing technologies, it is important to adopt less regressive, more forward-thinking practices that can adapt and suit the needs of today.

Download the entire paper by clicking the image below:

Sa-W59 Ultrasound Inspection

Sonar Inspection Estevan

Buffalo Inspection Services Inc. acquires Sonar Inspection Ltd. in Estevan, Saskatchewan

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EDMONTON, Alberta, June 11, 2015 – Canada’s largest non-union Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) services provider, Buffalo Inspection Services (2005) Inc. (Buffalo Inspection Services), has acquired Sonar Inspection Ltd. (Sonar), a well-established NDE company in southern Saskatchewan, to continue its expansion into under-served locations. The deal is effective June 1, 2015.

Sonar’s primary operation is strategically located in Estevan, Saskatchewan, a growth market for oil and gas, pipeline and mining development and expansion. The acquisition provides Buffalo Inspection Services with the capability of increasing its presence in Southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, working in partnership with an experienced and capable team.

“Buffalo Inspection Services has had a presence in Saskatoon for many years, but we saw this acquisition as an opportunity to expand our footprint to southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and expand Sonar’s existing operation to include radiography and mainline crawler NDE disciplines,” says the Chief Executive Officer of Buffalo Inspection Services. “We are excited about working with Sonar. They have a strong reputation in the surface and integrity disciplines, and also have exceptional relationships with clients across a broad range of industries. We strongly believe that Sonar’s team will be an ideal platform for growth in the region.”

Sonar’s operations will now operate under the Buffalo Inspection Services brand, and the company has established its Saskatchewan base of operations in a shop in Estevan.

Taylor Gardiner and Wayne Naka, the owners of Sonar, will lead the Saskatchewan and Manitoba operations for Buffalo Inspection Services.

About Buffalo Inspection Services

Buffalo Inspection Services is the largest non-union NDE company in Canada. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Buffalo has been providing NDE services primarily to the oil and gas industry across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia for the last 39 years. The company offers a complete suite of NDT services including Radiography, Mainline Gamma Crawler, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant Examination, Visual Inspection, Phased Array, Ultrasonics, Ferrite Testing, Positive Material Identification, Hardness Testing, Tubing Inspection and Time of Flight Diffraction. The acquisition brings together the teams of Buffalo Inspection and Sonar to create a 250-strong workforce comprising skilled and certified professionals.

Pipeline Inspection

Buffalo Inspection Services expands footprint with acquisition of Radius Inspection Services

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EDMONTON, Alberta, October 1, 2014 Canada’s largest non-union Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) services provider, Buffalo Inspection Services (2005) Inc. (Buffalo Inspection Services), has acquired Radius Inspection Services (Radius), and independent owned and operated NDE company in Northeastern British Columbia, to continue its expansion into under-served locations.

Radius primary operation is strategically located in Fort St. John, British Columbia, a growth market for oil and gas and pipeline development. The acquisition provides Buffalo Inspection Services with the capability of increasing its presence in North East British Columbia working in partnership with an experienced and capable team.

Radius will operate locally as Silver Shadow Inspection Services, a Division of Buffalo Inspection Services and as a result of this deal will now be in a position to provide additional services such as Phased Array and Mainline Crawler capabilities to its clients.

The company has appointed Glen Griffiths, Regional Manager of Buffalo, to work with the existing Silver Shadow and Radius teams to lead the transition, aligning the organizations together and to integrate Buffalo’s structure that has been refined over the last 38 years.

About Buffalo Inspection Services

Buffalo Inspection Services is the largest non-union NDE company in Canada. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Buffalo has been providing NDE services primarily to the oil and gas industry across Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia for the last 38 years. The company offers a complete suite of NDT services including Radiography, Mainline Gamma Crawler, Magnetic Particle, Liquid Penetrant Examination, Visual Inspection, Phased Array, Ultrasonics, Ferrite Testing, Positive Material Identification, Hardness Testing, Tubing Inspection and Time of Flight Diffraction. The acquisition brings together the teams of Buffalo Inspection and Sliver Shadow to create a 226-strong workforce comprising skilled and certified professionals.

Public Domain Mechanical

Buffalo Inspection Services acquires Corrpro NDT

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Buffalo Inspection Services is happy to announce that we have closed the deal with Corrpro Canada NDT and have successfully acquired all NDT assets from Corrpro.  This is part of Buffalo Inspection Services‘ expansion of our NDT operations in Western Canada!