Which of the following is a common method for inspecting welds in the oil and gas industry?

The correct choice identifies magnetic particle testing as one of the common methods for inspecting welds in the oil and gas industry. This method is particularly effective for detecting surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials. By applying a magnetic field and introducing ferrous particles, this technique can reveal cracks, laps, and other discontinuities that may impact the integrity of a weld.

In the context of the oil and gas industry, where the reliability of welds is critical to the safety and performance of pipelines and structures, magnetic particle testing offers a rapid and effective means of ensuring quality control. It is popular due to its straightforward implementation and ability to provide immediate results.

Although other methods such as ultrasonic testing and radiographic testing are also used for weld inspection, they typically serve different purposes or are preferred under specific conditions. Visual inspection is often the first step in weld evaluation but may not detect subsurface defects. Each method has its own advantages and applications, but magnetic particle testing remains a common and reliable choice within the industry for its specific capabilities in detecting critical surface discontinuities.