Date: Oct 17th, 2022

ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650

Revision: 1
PE.OPER.0000.PR.036
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RESPONSABILITY DATE SIGNATURE & SEAL

ELABORATED BY: October 17th, 2022

REVIEWED BY: October 17th, 2022

Firmado
digitalmente
Danfer por Danfer De
la cruz
De la Fecha:
cruz 2022.11.01
13:48:15
-05'00'

APPROVED BY: October 17th, 2022

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General Manager or their representative.
 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Objective

2. Scope of application

3. Implementation responsabilities

4. References

5. Terminology

6. Development

7. Historical changes

8. Attachments

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 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650
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1. OBJECTIVE
Establish the steps to follow for the detection, localization and evaluation of welding
discontinuities, heat affected zone (ZAC) and adjacent material of tubular and non-tubular
carbon steel connections, by means of ultrasonic inspection.

2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION
Applies where ultrasound inspection does not replace the radiography test, according to
API 650.
This procedure only applies to welds of tubular and non-tubular carbon steel connections.
The inspection volume will extend throughout its thickness and on both sides of the weld
bead to a minimum distance of a thickness T of the material, from the widest point of the
weld, said distance never being less than 25 mm. For welded joints of different
thicknesses, it will be considered the largest of them, the inspection area will be measured
from the edges of the weld.
The test will be carried out from the external surface of the tubular connections while for
the non-tubular connections it can be done both internally and externally according to its
accessibility, using the reflection technique (pulse-echo) with a simple angular transducer
and with a straight transducer applied by contact in manual form.

3. IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSABILITIES
Quality Control Chief:
ü He manages the Project Quality Plan and ITP.
ü He is responsible to assure the resources for the correct execution of this procedure.
Ultrasonic Inspector Level II:
ü Responsible for the execution of this procedure and its compliance in accordance with
the requirements of ASME Code section V, ASME Section VIII Div.1. and API 650 13th
Edition.
Manufacturing / Assembly Supervisor:
ü Responsible for ensuring that welded joints are available for ultrasound inspection.

4. REFERENCES
ü API 650 - Welded tank for oil storage,13th Edition- Err1-2021

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NOTE 2: No other total or partial reproduction or transmission is permitted without permission of the
General Manager or their representative.
 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
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ü ASNT – Practice Recommended No. SNT-TC-1A: Personnel Qualification and

Certification in Nondestructive Testing – Ed. 2020
ü ASME Section V, Article 4, edition 2021.
ü ASME Section VIII Div.1, edition 2021.

5. TERMINOLOGY
Ultrasonic test:
The ultrasonic test (UT) is an inspection method that uses high frequency sound waves,
above the range audible by humans. Sound waves travel at different speeds in different
materials. However, the velocity of sound propagation in a given material is a constant
value for that material. Ultrasound tests use electrical energy in the form of applied voltage
and this voltage is converted by a transducer into mechanical energy and in the form of
sound waves.

6. DEVELOPMENT
6.1. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
o Verify the joint number that must be inspected.
o Verify the identification of welded joints: welder's code, date, joint code, welding map,
visual inspection reports and other data that determine its complete traceability.
o Specifically follow each of the steps and activities of the ultrasound inspection, in
addition to the acceptance criteria.

6.2. EQUIPMENT
o Ultrasound test instrument of the pulse-echo type, for at least a frequency range of 1
MHz to 5 MHz, with stepped gain control calibrated in units of 2 decibels or less.
o The angular contact transducers will preferably be at a nominal angle of 45º, 60º, 70º
and rectangular. The transducers will be adapted according to the need of the test.
o Coupling: A cellulose-based compound or similar will be used.

6.3. CALIBRATION OF INSTRUMENT

6.3.1. Screen Height Linearity: Place an angular beam search unit in a calibration
block as shown in Figure I-440 so that both the holes indications of ½ and ¾ T

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 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
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give a ratio of 2:1 of amplitude between the two indications. Adjust the sensitivity
(gain) so that the largest indication is set to 80% of the height of the screen, in
increments of 10% (or if it is 2dB if a fine control is not available) and read the
smallest indication in each adjustment. The reading will be 50% of the greatest
amplitude, within 5% of FSH. The adjustments and readings are calculated with
an accuracy of 1% full screen. Alternatively, a straight beam search unit can be
used in any calibration block that provides amplitude differences, with sufficient
signal separation to avoid overlapping the two signals.

6.3.2. Amplitude Control Linearity: Place an Angular Beam search unit on the block
of Figure I-440 so that the indication on the hole drilled ½ T side reaches its
maximum point on the screen. Adjust the sensitivity (gain) as shown in the
following table. The indication must be within the specified limits. Alternatively,
any other suitable reflector of any calibration block can be used with the angular
or straight beam search unit.
The adjustments and the readings are estimated that the closest one is within 1%
of full screen.

6.3.3. Verification Period: Both linearity evaluation procedures must be performed

every year or before the first use.

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 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
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6.4. SYSTEM CALIBRATION

o The original calibration will be performed on the basic calibration block, using the
complete ultrasonic examination system.
o The maximum indications of references will be obtained with the ultrasonic beam
incising perpendicular to the axis of the basic calibration reflector.
o For contact tests, the temperature difference between the surfaces to be examined
and that of the calibration block must not exceed 14ºC.
o Calibration Blocks: Blocks for calibration of the sweep range. It will be calibrated in
distance with the IIW or DSC blocks, required to verify or establish the beam exit point,
the actual exit angle of the transducer and the divergence angle check.

6.5. BASIC CALIBRATION BLOCK

o For tubular connections of equal diameter and less than 20" (500mm) It will be
manufactured from a tubular section of the same nominal size, schedule, heat
treatment and specification of the material of the component to be examined. That is
to say that as many blocks as a variety of tubular welds will be necessary to inspect.
o For non-tubular and tubular connections with a diameter greater than 20" (500mm) it
will be manufactured from a flat section of the same material, the dimensions will be
according to the figure T-434.2.1
o The surface finish of the calibration block will be representative of the welded
connection.
o The material of the basic calibration block should be examined with a straight
transducer before its manufacture. Areas containing indications that exceed the
remaining height of the background echo will be excluded from the usable areas of the
block.

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NOTE 2: No other total or partial reproduction or transmission is permitted without permission of the
General Manager or their representative.
 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650
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NOTE 1: It is the users responsibility to ensure that you use the current revision.
NOTE 2: No other total or partial reproduction or transmission is permitted without permission of the
General Manager or their representative.
 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650
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6.6. BASIC CALIBRATION REFLECTORS

o They are used to establish a primary response of the system. Rectangular section
notches will be made in the circumferential direction of the pipe and on the external
and internal surface thereof.
o Other reflectors such as cylindrical holes parallel to the contact surface may be used
to prove that they produce sensitivity equal to or greater than the notches.

6.7. SENSITIVITY CALIBRATION

o Calibration of the Angular Beam: The angular beam will be directed towards the
reflector that produces the maximum response. The gain control will be set so that this
response is 80% ± 5% of the height of the full screen. This will be the primary reference
level. the search unit should then be manipulated, without changing the settings of the
instrument, to obtain the maximum calibration responses, the reflectors in the distance
increments should be those necessary to generate a curve of three points of distance
correction amplitude ( DAC).

6.8. VERIFICATION OF SYSTEM CALIBRATION

o Requirements for the Sweep Range: If a point on the DAC curve has moved, it has
moved on the baseline by more than 10% of its reading or 5% on the full scale of
sweep, whichever is greater, the calibration Correction must be corrected and
recorded. The indications registered since the last calibration or verification will be
invalidated, the area will be re-examined and the new calibration conditions will be
recorded.
o Sensitivity requirement: If any point of the DAC curve (Correction of Amplitude in
distance) has decreased by 20% or 2dB of its amplitude, or has increased it by 20%
or 2dB, all exams made since the last calibration will be invalidated. A re-calibration
will be done and the areas previously examined will be re-examined.
o Any change that occurs in the complete system of the inspection, whether transducers,
shoes, cables, coupling or instruments, will cause calibration verification. This must be
done on the complete inspection system, both at the beginning and at the end of each
inspection, and every 4 hours if the examination is extended for longer and when there
are changes of operators.

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NOTE 2: No other total or partial reproduction or transmission is permitted without permission of the
General Manager or their representative.
 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650
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6.9. SUPERFICIAL REQUIREMENTS

o The surface of the inspection area should be free of irregularities such as splashes or
roughness that could interfere with the free movement of the transducer or impede the
transmission of the ultrasonic wave.

6.10. SCANNING OF THE INSPECTION AREA

o Sweeping Sensitivity Level: This will be done by increasing the sensitivity established
for the reference level by 6dB.
o Movement Speed: 6 Inches / Sec (150 mm / sec) or less.
o Base Metal Exam: The volume of the metal adjacent to the inspection zone through
which the angular ultrasound beam will travel, will be swept in addition with a straight
transducer.
o The scan with a straight transducer will be used at the same time as thickness
verification.
o Angular beam test: The beam will be focused in the direction normal to the axis of the
weld and as far as possible on both sides of the weld.
o The transducer shall be moved with respect to the weld bead and on both sides and
directions with an angle of attack of 45 ° or an appropriate angle for the configuration
being inspected and shall be capable of detecting the calibration reflectors, on the path
of angular beam required.
o The technique of zigzag trajectory will be used, moving the transducer with back and
forth movement. The overlap between passes will not be less than 10%.

6.11. EVALUATION OF INDICATIONS

o Acceptance Criteria for API 650 12th Editions Secc.8 Item 8.3.2 according to ASME
VIII Div.1 Appendix 12.
Imperfections which produce a response greater than 20% of the reference level shall
be investigated to the extent that the operator can determine the shape, identity, and
location of all such imperfections and evaluate them in terms of the acceptance
standards given in (a) and (b) below.
(a) Indications characterized as cracks, lack of fusion, or incomplete penetration are
unacceptable regardless of length.

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 Date: Oct 17th, 2022
ULTRASONIC PROCEDURE ACCORDING API 650
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(b) Other imperfections are unacceptable if the indications exceed the reference level
amplitude and have lengths which exceed:
§ ¼ in. (6 mm) for t up to ¾in. (19 mm);
§ 1/3t for t from 3/4 in. to 2 ¼ in. (19 mm to 57 mm);
§ ¾ in. (19 mm) for t over 2 ¼ in. (57 mm).
o Where t is the thickness of the weld excluding any allowable reinforcement. For a butt
weld joining two members having different thicknesses at the weld, t is the thinner of
these two thicknesses. If a full penetration weld includes a fillet weld, the thickness of
the throat of the fillet shall be included in t.

6.12. REGISTRATION OF INFORMATION

o Ultrasound Inspection Report Format: This format will record all the descriptive data of
the inspected elements, their possible defects and characteristics of the same, as well
as their evaluation of accepted or rejected.

6.13. HISTORICAL CHANGES

Approved by
Revision Changes Description Date
(Position)
1 Issued for construction Project Chief Oct 17th, 2022

0 Issued for construction Project Chief Jun. 11th, 2019

B Issued for customer review Project Chief Apr 28th, 2019

A Issued for internal review Project Chief Apr 27th, 2019

NOTE 1: It is the users responsibility to ensure that you use the current revision.
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General Manager or their representative.