Inductosense announce a joint project with Petrobras, ABS Group and IPT to validate sensors for FPSO applications 

Inductosense, in collaboration with Petrobras, ABS Group, and IPT, has announced a joint project to validate WAND technology as an alternative to manual gauging for marine structures, and to enable robotic and drone data collection using WAND.

The project primarily aims to address the operational challenges of COT (Cargo Oil Tanks) and WBT (Water Ballast Tanks) on FPSOs tank inspections, where numerous measurement locations are required, often within confined spaces and hard-to-reach areas. Conventional inspection methods typically require tank clear-out and ventilation before entry, as well as scaffolding or rope access for inspection, while robotic ultrasonic testing (UT) often faces accessibility limitations. As a result, FPSO tank inspections are costly, time-consuming, and expose personnel to risk.  

WAND Thickness Monitoring Sensors (WAND TMS) are permanently installed, embeddable, wireless, and ATEX Zone 0 rated. They provide accurate, repeatable internal corrosion and erosion monitoring. The ECHO extension enables the robotic platform to access WAND TMS and collect measurements, at offset locations. By enabling fast, contactless measurements without cleaning or manual gauging, this solution reduces both cost and risk for in-tank inspection.

The project, with the participation of ABS Group and IPT, involved testing the survivability of passive WAND TMS in crude oil and sea water environments and subsequently validating the technology for FPSO tank thickness monitoring.