Inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry are an essential part of achieving and maintaining a productive pipeline or oil rig. Gas inspection experts examine rigs and pipelines carefully to detect any type of crack, corrosion or axial defect. Many oil and gas inspection companies also provide thorough cleaning services for pipelines using specialty tools.

Working with inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry will help your business stay efficient, and help keep your operations in line with state and federal regulations. They can also provide you with expert advice when you want to expand your business. Oil and gas inspection services can help your company:

1. Properly clean pipelines and other structures.

2. Inspect pipeline, rig and oil tanks.

3. Test of the equipment used in drilling and maintaining pipelines.

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Choose oil and gas industry inspection services that clean pipelines

Oil and gas pipelines stretch for miles, and even if there are no leaks or cracks, buildup can occur. To get rid of buildup, oil and gas inspection services have a variety of tools to clean out oil and natural gas pipelines for faster flow and better efficiency.

I recommend: GE Oil & Gas publishes an outline of its pipeline cleaning processes, in addition to information on new construction and and other maintenance issues. Superior Inspection Service offers pipeline cleaning with the latest equipment in inspection and repair for the oil and gas industry.

Find a gas company inspection consultant that inspects equipment

To keep your pipelines and other structures working properly, the equipment your company uses must stay in good working condition. For this reason, companies may also work with inspection consultants to keep equipment in good working order. Many services offer periodic inspections for equipment, as well as maintenance services.

I recommend: Dacon Inspection Services provides equipment testing for all common equipment, and also certifies equipment when necessary. CiC Inspection and Consulting offers many inspection services for the oil and gas industry, including crane inspection, preventative maintenance and non-destructive testing.

Work with gas and oil industry inspection experts that offer project management services

Besides cleaning and testing, many gas and oil industry inspection experts also provide project management services for companies that want to expand their operations or build new structures. Gas industry inspection consulting experts make great project management because they offer an objective perspective that makes it easier for your business to meet guidelines and regulations.

I recommend: PV Inspection offers many consulting services, including project management for new construction. Likpin also offers a variety of project management and inspection services for offshore oil rig construction, maintenance and repair.

Gas and oil industry inspection consultants provide quality inspection services to increase product value and process efficiency for petroleum related businesses. Inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry establish effective control measures for a wide range of materials, equipment and products, ensuring compliance during critical manufacturing, inspection and test stages. A proficient gas and oil industry consultant uses field experience and industry knowledge to oversee inspections and tests, review processes, verify measurements and report progress.

Before beginning your search for oil and gas inspection companies, define your consulting needs. Clearly identify the goal of your gas industry inspection consulting service, including project scope, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best gas company inspection consultant to meet your specific needs.

When selecting government consultants for your organization, research a variety of gas inspection experts and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience do the oil and gas inspectors offer for your specific petroleum business inspection needs?

2. What value-added services do the oil industry inspection consultants provide to improve your business and ensure cost effective solutions?

3. How much should your business invest in oil and gas inspection services?

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Hire inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry who specialize in your inspection needs

Select oil and gas inspection companies with extensive experience in inspection services for your specific business sector. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Superior Inspection Service specializes in inspections for oil country tubulars and drill string components. PV Inspection serves natural gas producers and distributors, as well as petroleum producers like oil companies, refineries and petrochemical facilities. Chempro Inspections provides third-party inspection services for petroleum companies, and features an international online client list.

Choose oil and gas industry inspection firms with demonstrated skills

Review the inspection projects provided by each gas industry inspection consulting firm. Evaluate the firm's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific inspection services you need.

I recommend: Intertek provides an impressive menu of product and materials testing, inspection, consulting and related services for the oil and gas industry. Lloyd's Register offers comprehensive inspection services for the oil and gas industry, as well as value-added services like asset management, certification, compliance and verification. Moody International features inspection services encompassing source inspection and supplier surveillance, pipe mill and coatings surveillance, supplier audits and surveys, supplier sourcing and purchasing services, supplier expediting, construction inspection, shutdown/turnaround inspections and in-service inspections.

Select a gas and oil industry consultant that meets your budget

Many gas and oil industry inspection firms operate on an hourly fee structure, while others utilize a project-based fee. Your gas and oil industry inspection cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Get a price for inspection services at Pro. Q.C. Systems, an independent quality assurance and control consulting organization. Request a quote for inspection services at Pinnacle Oilfield Services, a full-service drill pipe and tubing inspection company.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before contracting with a gas and oil industry consultant, review the firm's inspection equipment. Find out when the equipment was manufactured, what state-of-the-art technology is utilized and the degree of accuracy for inspection projects. Make sure you are getting the most up to date technology available for your critical inspections.

A gas and oil industry consultant is critical to the operations of those plants involved in the production, refinement and distribution of oil or gas. As oil and gas inspection experts, these individuals are responsible for oil and gas inspection services, which means they review each facility with a fine tooth comb to ensure it is running as productively as possible. Oil and gas industry inspection is also critical, because it ensures facilities are running in accordance with federal, state and industry guidelines and code.

Inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry are also instrumental in providing services such as analysis of business function, engineering, design, planning and construction. Consider pursuing or advancing your career by joining the ranks of oil and gas inspectors with the following targeted inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry education and training.

1. Search for course work or seminars to attend that will expand your knowledge of oil and gas inspection services.

2. Earn a reputation as a safety expert among oil and gas inspectors by doing your homework.

3. Take advantage of educational opportunities offered by industry associations.

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Enroll in courses relevant to oil and gas inspection services

There are many classes and courses available through training companies specifically targeting those in the oil and gas industry. It is important to browse through there course catalogs carefully to make sure the class is applicable to oil and gas inspection consultant work.

I recommend: LandFocus Training specializes in courses for oil and gas inspection companies to further educate their workforce. They offer several analysis classes that can be taken in the classroom and as a home study course. TUV NEL offers monthly technical seminars, workshops and training events targeting the oil and gas industry. These can be beneficial to gas and oil industry inspection consultants.

Increase your marketability with oil and gas industry inspection safety courses

Safety is a number one concern of oil and gas companies, in large part because many regulations are in place to enhance worker safety. Increase your marketability as a 'safety' expert by reading relevant study and reading materials.

I recommend: The Emergency Film Group sells a "Petroleum Storage Tanks" safety training video for those whose work involves contact with petroleum storage tanks. The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA website lists suggested bulletins for safe work practices in the fields of oil and gas drilling, servicing and storage.

Keep company with other gas and oil industry consultants

Joining an association of gas and oil industry professionals allows you to take advantage of association educational opportunities in the form of seminars, conference speakers and even newsletters. An added bonus of an association is that it allows you to network and tap into the knowledge of other members who may be more knowledgeable than you are.

I recommend: Members of the Association of Professional Energy Consultants (APEC) include energy engineers, consultants, facility managers and others. Membership includes access to seminars and educational opportunities. Members of the U.S. Oil & Gas Association Mississippi/Alabama Division have access to educational seminars, newsletters and much more. Many states have similar divisions of this association.

Inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry key terms can impact many businesses and people. From the owners of the mines to workers, what consultants have to say about the operations of their fields has to be understood from the ground up in order to be implemented. Terminology also has to be clearly communicated amongst colleagues to and to clients, so knowing proper terminology for the companies providing their consulting services is also vital.

Inspection consultants to the oil and gas industry key terms include many pieces of equipment. They can also include techniques as well. Whatever the word, phrase or acronym, though, having a firm grasp on the meaning will help you better represent your business and communicate with others.

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Blowout preventer (BOP)

Blowout preventers (BOP) are used on gas and oil minefields to control pressure on the wellhead in the annular space between the casing and drill pipe or tubing. This is done during the drilling, completion, and workover operations.

I recommend: Learn more about oil blowout preventers from the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

Casing

Gas and oilfield casing is the metal pipe that is inserted into a wellbore and that is then cemented in place. This protects both subsurface formations, such as your groundwater and the wellbore.

I recommend: Find out more about oilfield piping and casing from Lafoy Pipe & Equipment.

Development well

A development well is a well drilled that is made to complete the desired spacing pattern of production. It is generated in a proven oil or gas area to a known productive area.

I recommend: Learn about development wells in the "Gulfsands Makes Headway on Khurbet East Drilling, 3D Seismic Program" from Rigzone.

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR)

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) happens when companies look to increase the amount of oil removed from a reservoir. They can do this by injecting a liquid (generally water or surfactant) or gas (generally nitrogen or carbon dioxide) into the well to repromote production.

I recommend: Find out about Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using biosurfactant from Biosurfactant Enhanced Oil Recovery.

P&A (plugged and abandoned)

When a well is P&A (plugged and abandoned), it has been completely depleted or dried. Subsequently, it is also filled with cement and all surface equipment is taken away.

I recommend: Look at a Plug and Abandon (P&A) Due To Corroded Tubing case study from TAM International.

Stimulation

Stimulation is one of many processes used to enlarge old mining channels or to create new ones in the hopes of enhancing oil production. This can be done by either acidizing and fracturing.

I recommend: Learn more about oil well stimulation from oilprimer.com.