Inspection Services — API 510, 570, 653 and Beyond

What NDT inspection services does Atlantis provide?

Atlantis NDT provides nondestructive examination of in-service and new-construction equipment: UT thickness surveys, PAUT and TOFD weld inspection, corrosion mapping, tank-floor MFL, MT, PT, VT and eddy current, with radiography by crews licensed in the state where the work is done. An ASNT Level III oversees the work, and results go into a digital report built to the governing code.

The sections below cover which methods suit which asset, how the work fits around API 510, API 570 and API 653, what turnaround inspection involves, and what the report should contain when it reaches your integrity engineer or Authorized Inspector.

One point up front, because it decides how a job is scoped. Atlantis is an NDE contractor. We perform the examinations, interpret them under Level III authority and hand over the data. We are not an Authorized Inspection Agency, we do not supply API-certified inspectors, and we do not act as inspector of record. On API-governed equipment, your own API 510, 570 or 653 Authorized Inspector stays in charge of the inspection and signs it, working from the data we produce.

If you already know what you need, send us the asset, method and dates and we will come back with questions or a quote.

NDT inspection services by state

Atlantis mobilises inspection crews to client sites across the United States. Each of the state pages below covers that state's industrial map, the regulators and codes that shape inspection there, and the cities we cover. Start with the state where your asset sits. The industries column shows where most inspection demand in that state comes from.

A state not on the list does not mean we cannot work there. Crews are mobilised to your site and the schedule is agreed during scoping, so tell us where the asset is and we will confirm coverage.

Inspection by asset type

Most inspection requests start with an asset, not a method. The pages below go deeper on each asset family, with the codes, methods and deliverables that apply. Each links to a representative city page. The same service runs in other cities, and the scope is set per job.

• Storage tanks. Aboveground tanks under API 653: shell UT thickness, floor MFL with UT follow-up, nozzle and weld examination, settlement data, all handed to your tank inspector. See aboveground storage tank inspection and an example city page for tank inspection services in Houston.
• Process piping. API 570 piping circuits: CML thickness readings, injection points, dead legs, soil-to-air interfaces and small-bore connections. See piping inspection services in Baton Rouge.
• Pressure vessels. API 510 vessels, exchangers and drums: external and internal examination, on-stream UT, weld and nozzle inspection. See pressure vessel inspection services in Corpus Christi.
• Welds. New-construction and repair welds to ASME, AWS or API acceptance criteria, using PAUT, TOFD, RT, MT, PT and VT. See weld inspection services in Chicago.
• Pipelines. Girth-weld examination, dig verification and corrosion assessment on transmission and gathering lines. See pipeline inspection services and pipeline inspection services in Tulsa.
• Corrosion. Wall-loss detection and mapping, including corrosion under insulation. See corrosion under insulation inspection and corrosion inspection services in Philadelphia.
• Third-party inspection. Independent NDE witnessing and vendor surveillance during fabrication, so the buyer has eyes on the shop floor. See third-party inspection in Houston.

NDT methods and what each one finds

The method has to suit the damage mechanism, not the other way round. A thickness gauge will not find a crack, and a surface method will not tell you how much wall is left. This table is the short version of how a Level III matches methods to findings. Final method selection and technique are set in a written procedure for each job.

Two practical notes. First, where a code or client specification calls for a qualified or demonstrated technique (common for PAUT and TOFD replacing RT, and for tank-floor MFL), the procedure and its demonstration are part of scope and should be planned before mobilisation, not on the first morning of the job. Second, radiography involves radioactive sources or X-ray equipment and a licence from the state radiation control programme, or from the NRC in states that are not Agreement States. RT on Atlantis jobs is carried out by radiography crews licensed in the state where the work takes place, and the licensing authority and exclusion-zone plan are confirmed during scoping.

API 510, API 570 and API 653 inspection support

Under API 510 (pressure vessels), API 570 (piping) and API 653 (aboveground storage tanks), the owner-user runs the inspection programme and an API-certified Authorized Inspector makes the inspection judgements. Atlantis supports that programme with NDE: we perform the examinations the inspector calls for, interpret them under Level III authority and deliver data the inspector can use directly.

In practice, the split looks like this:

• Your Authorized Inspector sets the scope, decides inspection intervals, accepts or rejects findings against the code, approves repairs and signs the inspection report as inspector of record.
• Atlantis reviews the scope with the inspector, writes or reviews the NDE procedures, mobilises certified technicians, carries out UT thickness, PAUT, TOFD, MT, PT, VT, ET, MFL and (through licensed crews) RT, and delivers the results. Those results include thickness readings by CML, indication logs, corrosion maps, photographs and, where your programme uses them, corrosion-rate and remaining-life figures calculated from the measured data for the inspector's review.

For each code, the NDE emphasis differs:

• API 510 vessels: external and internal visual examination support, on-stream UT where the vessel cannot come out of service, WFMT or PT for cracking in sour or caustic service, nozzle and weld inspection. More detail on API 510 pressure vessel inspection support.
• API 570 piping: CML thickness surveys by circuit, injection-point and mix-point grids, dead legs, small-bore and soil-to-air interfaces, CUI screening and follow-up. More detail on API 570 piping inspection support.
• API 653 tanks: shell course UT, floor MFL with UT prove-up, critical-zone and shell-to-bottom weld examination, nozzle and roof inspection, and NDE retest of repairs. More detail on API 653 tank inspection support.

If you do not yet have an Authorized Inspector for a piece of equipment, say so in your request. We will tell you honestly which parts of the job need one and which parts we can start on.

Turnarounds, shutdowns and planned inspection

A turnaround is the one window when vessel internals, tank floors and isolated piping can be examined. It is also the window where inspection delays cost the most, because every unplanned day of NDE pushes back mechanical completion and start-up.

What good turnaround inspection planning looks like from the NDE side:

• Scope frozen early. The inspection work list (equipment, CMLs, welds, methods, acceptance criteria) agreed with your inspector well before the shutdown, so procedures, technique qualifications and equipment are ready.
• Method sequencing matched to the critical path. UT and surface methods follow cleaning and blasting. RT is scheduled around other crafts, because exclusion zones stop work nearby. PAUT is often chosen in place of RT on weld repairs for exactly that reason.
• Access and preparation listed in writing. Scaffolding, insulation removal, surface preparation, confined-space entry permits and lighting are the usual causes of idle NDE crews. We list what each examination needs so your planners can sequence it.
• Daily reporting. Findings reported each shift, not at demobilisation, so repairs can be planned while the unit is still down.
• Repair NDE planned in advance. Every turnaround finds something. Having repair-weld NDE (MT, PT, UT, PAUT or RT) and its acceptance criteria agreed beforehand stops repairs waiting on inspection.

Outside turnarounds, most of the work is planned on-stream inspection: CML thickness rounds, CUI screening campaigns, external tank inspections and fabrication-shop weld inspection. These are scheduled around operations and usually repeat on a cycle your inspector sets, which makes consistent data formats between campaigns important. We cover that in the next section. To discuss a shutdown window, send us the unit, dates and work list.

What a usable inspection report contains

An inspection report is only as good as what the next person can do with it. A useful report lets your inspector accept or reject findings against the code without calling the technician, lets your engineer trend thickness against the last campaign, and survives an audit years later. Atlantis reports are built in our own digital reporting platform and traced to the governing code and procedure.

Every Atlantis inspection report includes:

• Identification: equipment tag, location, drawing or isometric reference, CML or weld numbers that match your existing numbering.
• Basis: governing code and edition, client specification, NDE procedure number and revision, and the acceptance criteria applied.
• Personnel and equipment: technician names and certification level under the employer's SNT-TC-1A written practice, instrument and probe serial numbers, calibration block references and calibration status.
• Technique: settings, scan plans, coverage achieved, and any areas that could not be examined and why.
• Results: thickness readings, indication tables with location and sizing, corrosion maps, photographs, and a clear accept, reject or refer-to-inspector status for each finding.
• Review: Level III review and sign-off on the NDE content, with the inspector-of-record decisions left to your Authorized Inspector.

Because the data is captured digitally in the field (including offline, where sites restrict connectivity), it arrives structured rather than as scanned paper. That matters when you compare this year's readings with last year's, or load them into your own inspection data system. The software side is described on NDT inspection software and, for 3D presentation of results, digital twin reporting.

One company from inspection to report to digital twin

Most owners deal with an inspection contractor, a separate reporting format, and a separate system for asset data. Every handover between them is a place where CML numbers get mismatched, photos lose their location, and readings get retyped. Atlantis covers the whole chain itself:

1. Level III-led inspection. Procedures, technique selection and data review are owned by an ASNT NDT Level III, Anoop Rayavarapu, founder of Atlantis NDT. Field work is done by certified technicians working to those procedures.
2. Digital report. Results are captured and reported in the Atlantis reporting platform, traced to code, procedure, technician and instrument.
3. Optional digital twin. Thickness grids, indications and photographs can be placed on a 3D model of the asset, so engineers and managers see where the findings are rather than reading tables. See Atlantis digital twins.
4. Optional ERP. For inspection companies and owner inspection departments that want to run certifications, calibration, jobs, quotes and invoicing in one system, the Atlantis ERP connects to the same reporting data.

None of the optional steps is required. The point is that if you later want the data in 3D or in a managed system, it is already structured for it, and nobody has to re-key a campaign of readings. Affordable, accessible and fully customizable: each piece is scoped to what you actually use.

How to request NDT inspection

The fastest way to an accurate quote is a request that answers the questions we would otherwise ask. Here is what to send:

1. The asset. Equipment type, tag numbers and quantity: for example, a number of vessels, piping circuits, tanks, or welds by size and wall thickness.
2. The location. Site name, city and state, and whether the work is in a plant, a fabrication shop, on a pipeline right-of-way or offshore.
3. The governing code. API 510, 570 or 653, ASME Section VIII or B31.3, AWS D1.1, API 1104 or a client specification, plus the acceptance criteria if known.
4. The methods, if specified. If your inspector or specification already names the methods, list them. If not, describe the damage mechanism you are worried about and we will propose methods.
5. Dates and access. Shutdown window or on-stream, shift pattern, and who provides scaffolding, insulation removal and surface preparation.
6. Site requirements. Safety orientation, contractor prequalification platforms, drug and alcohol testing, and any operator-specific qualification your site requires.
7. The deliverable. Report format, data export needs, whether you want daily reporting, and whether a digital twin view is of interest.

Send it through the inspection request form. We reply with questions or a quote, and agree the mobilisation schedule with you during scoping.

How much does NDT testing cost?

There is no honest single number for NDT testing, because the cost is set by the job rather than the method name. Atlantis does not publish pricing. Every job is quoted on request, and the quote reflects these drivers:

• Method and technique. Conventional methods such as UT thickness, MT, PT and VT need less equipment and set-up than PAUT, TOFD, corrosion mapping or tank-floor MFL. Techniques that need a qualified procedure or a demonstration add engineering time.
• Quantity and coverage. Number of CMLs, welds, tanks or vessels, and whether the code or specification calls for spot checks, percentage coverage or full coverage.
• Access. Height, confined-space entry, rope or scaffold access, insulation removal and surface preparation, and who provides each of them.
• Schedule. Day shifts versus around-the-clock turnaround coverage, short-notice work, and standby time while other crafts finish.
• Location and travel. Distance to site, remote or offshore logistics, and site-specific induction or prequalification.
• Radiation safety. RT requires licensed crews, exclusion zones and sometimes night work, all of which affect the schedule and the crew.
• Reporting. Standard digital reports, client-specific templates, data exports to your system, or a digital twin presentation.

The lowest quote often hides one of these drivers, typically access, standby or reporting. Request a quote with the details from the list above.

Frequently asked questions about NDT inspection services

What is an NDT inspection service?

An NDT inspection service examines materials, welds and equipment for defects or damage without cutting, loading or otherwise damaging them. Certified technicians use methods such as ultrasonic, radiographic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, visual and eddy current testing. They report what they find against a code or specification, so the owner can decide whether the equipment is fit to keep running or needs repair.

Who are the biggest NDT inspection companies?

The US market includes large national and multinational inspection groups, such as Mistras, Team Inc., Acuren and Applus+, along with many regional firms and local labs. Size is one factor, not the deciding one. To choose, check that the company holds the methods and technique qualifications your job needs, works under a current SNT-TC-1A written practice with a named Level III, can meet your site's prequalification requirements, and delivers reports your inspector can use without rework. Ask for a sample report before you award the job.

Are you an Authorized Inspector?

No. Atlantis is not an API 510, API 570 or API 653 Authorized Inspector or Authorized Inspection Agency, does not supply API-certified inspectors, and does not act as inspector of record. We perform the NDE and deliver the results to your Authorized Inspector, who remains responsible for the inspection decisions and sign-off.

Which NDT method is best for corrosion?

For general wall loss, UT thickness readings at CMLs are the standard method. For localised corrosion and pitting, corrosion mapping with automated or phased array UT gives far better coverage than spot readings. Tank floors are usually screened with MFL and confirmed with UT. For corrosion under insulation, screening methods are followed by insulation removal and direct examination where needed.

Can PAUT replace radiography for weld inspection?

Often, yes, if the governing code or client specification allows it and the technique is qualified. ASME and several construction codes permit ultrasonic examination in place of radiography under defined conditions. PAUT removes the radiation exclusion zone, which helps on busy turnarounds. Confirm acceptance with your inspector or client before the job.

Who certifies NDT technicians in the US?

Most US industrial NDT personnel are certified by their employer under a written practice based on ASNT Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A, with Level III oversight. Some sectors use ASNT CP-189 or central certification such as ASNT 9712 (formerly ACCP). Ask any contractor which scheme its technicians are certified under and who its Level III is.

Do you perform radiography?

Radiography on Atlantis jobs is carried out by radiography crews licensed in the state where the work takes place, under that state's radiation control programme or the NRC. The licensing authority, source type and exclusion-zone arrangements are confirmed during scoping.

Do you inspect during turnarounds and shutdowns?

Yes. Turnaround NDE is a large part of in-service inspection. We work from your inspector's work list, plan method sequencing and access needs in advance, and report findings daily so repairs can be planned while the unit is down.

What do I receive at the end of an inspection?

A digital report traced to the code, procedure, technician and calibrated instrument. It includes thickness data, indication logs, corrosion maps and photographs as applicable, reviewed under Level III authority. On request the results can also be shown on a 3D digital twin of the asset.

Do you only inspect oil and gas equipment?

No. Refining, petrochemical, midstream and tank terminals make up a large share of in-service inspection demand, but the same methods apply to power generation, fabrication shops, structural steel, shipbuilding and manufacturing. Tell us the asset and the governing code.

Is Atlantis an NDT training provider as well?

Yes, separately from inspection. Atlantis offers ASNT SNT-TC-1A based NDT training and Level III consulting. See NDT training and NDT consulting. Inspection, training and consulting are scoped and quoted independently.

Ready to plan a job? Talk to our Level III about your NDT inspection scope.