Applus+ in Indonesia supports Merak Chemical Indonesia with IWEX pipeline inspection

MCCI operates in an environment where piping systems are exposed to demanding operating conditions and are essential to maintaining efficient production. Over time, these assets can be affected by degradation mechanisms such as corrosion, wall thinning, cracking, and other structural anomalies. The facility also relies on fabricated and welded piping systems, making the accurate detection and characterisation of fabrication- and welding-related defects an important element of long-term asset reliability. To support informed maintenance decisions, the client required an inspection solution capable of identifying potential integrity concerns with a high degree of accuracy while minimising disruption to ongoing operations.

To meet these requirements, Applus+ deployed Inverse Wavefield Extrapolation (IWEX), an advanced ultrasonic inspection technique used to evaluate the internal condition of piping systems. The scope of work focused on assessing operational piping assets and detecting defects that could affect long-term performance and integrity, including corrosion and wall thinning, internal and external defects, cracking, and other structural anomalies.

The inspection programme utilised IWEX technology to reconstruct wave propagation within the inspected components and generate highly detailed images of their internal condition. This advanced non-destructive testing approach enabled enhanced detection, sizing, and characterisation of defects compared with conventional inspection methods, providing MCCI with a clearer understanding of the integrity status of its piping infrastructure. By applying IWEX, Applus+ delivered accurate and reliable inspection data while allowing the client to maintain normal operational activities throughout the assessment programme.

One of the key challenges was obtaining high-quality inspection results from assets that remained in service while ensuring that any potential defects or degradation mechanisms could be accurately evaluated. Applus+ addressed this requirement by combining specialist inspection expertise with advanced imaging capabilities, enabling the identification and assessment of integrity threats with a high level of confidence and supporting the client's proactive approach to asset management.

The project provided MCCI with detailed insights into the condition of its piping systems, helping the company better understand potential integrity risks and optimise future maintenance activities. The inspection results supported asset integrity management initiatives, improved maintenance planning, and contributed to the continued safe and reliable performance of critical assets. By providing a clearer picture of asset condition, the project enabled more informed decision-making regarding future inspection, maintenance, and operational strategies.

This project demonstrates Applus+ Indonesia's capability to apply advanced inspection technologies to complex industrial assets. Through the combination of specialist expertise and innovative solutions such as IWEX, Applus+ helps operators strengthen asset integrity programmes, make better-informed maintenance decisions, and enhance the safety, reliability, and long-term performance of critical infrastructure.