Click here to view the embedded video.

The above video shows some more explanation on hot tapping. I would like to thank our user ‘pitihkawe’ for his post on the hot tapping.  This is more towards onshore applications & will be different for subsea applications.

“It’s A safe control entry into a pipe or vessels operating at vacuum,pressured or….without losing product and process interuption.” Hot Tapping applications includes the following :
* Prevent shutdowns
* New construction tie-ins
* Installation of by-pass systems
* Pressure and vacuum gauge installation
* New pipeline construction
* Sight glass installations
* Quality control sample points
* Valve installations
* Thermowell coupling installation
* Orifice taps for flow meters
* Offshore and underwater service
* Pipe inspection
* Temperature indicators
* Sparger installations

14th January 2009 I was assigned to ensure work site preparation are in order and safe for the activity in compliance to the PCSB SHe and work pack requirement.

The challenge of this activity is performing welding on the life 2″ pipe which carries aproximately 40 KB/D liquid (crude, gas and water) at 10000 kpa pressure.To ensure this activity can be perform safely the pipeline flow rate have to be constant, post weld temperature are maintain at 150 degrees C and not exceeding 250 degree C.

Among the tools are use for temperature monitoring are temperature sensors that will disable the welding activities as the temperature reach 230 Degrees C. Thermography Flir P65 camera to study the heat pattern on the welded surface during welding and also the infra red thermometers for spot measurement.

The pipe was finally drilled on January 27th @ 2220 hrs.

See more photo check this link:-

http://pitihkawe.multiply.com/photos/album/53/My_Hot_Tapping_Experience

PSC = Petronas Carigali, Nippon Oil, ExxonMobil, Shell, Newfield Exploration Company, Murphy Oil, Talisman Energy, Hess Corporation and otherss.

The issue was discussed during SEAPOG EPRES (South East Asia Pipeline Operators Group Emergency Pipeline Repair Equipment Sharing) meeting.  The possible emergency pipeline repair equipment to be shared includes:

• Pressure containment clamps.
• Composite repair equipment.
• Mechanical connectors.
• Elbow bends and connectors.
• Line pipes.

I strongly believe that PLIDCO will be one of the items considered in this pool of resources.  So next time should any pipeline repair tender coming out, the methodology will be driven by resources available within the PSC.  As my personal experience in one of the pipeline repair job,  PLIDCO was not considered during that time.  The more ‘primitive’ approach was used since the job does not affecting the production.  The methodology used was, CUT & REPLACE with spool.  Btw, for those who are not very familiar with PLIDCO, here is the video stating their strength in pipeline repair.

Click here to view the embedded video.

By the way,

• Please visit my first website about oil & Gas. www.OffshoreMan.com