Type approved double block and bleed isolation plugs to enable maintenance while the system remains live and at operating pressure
The global oil and gas industry is reliant on the long term dependability of pipelines. Rigid pipelines are vital to the safe and efficient transportation of hydrocarbons; as such failures within these pipelines can have huge environmental, safety and reputational implications. As the global demand for energy increases as does the consequences of any potential pipeline failure. Operators can often encounter difficulties in isolating sections of their pipeline to facilitate repair or maintenance activities if appropriate valves are absent from the line.
This webinar will describe pipeline isolation tooling and techniques that enable safe modification of pressurised pipelines. Double block and bleed isolation tools have been utilised pre and post-shutdown which enables the shutdown time to be greatly reduced, reducing work scopes, increasing safety and maximising planned duties to be commercially cost-effective to the end user. High integrity isolation methods will also be explained that enable piggable and unpiggable pipeline systems to be isolated to double block and bleed isolation requirements.
Examples will be presented highlighting the benefits of double block and bleed pipeline isolation and how they are applicable to scenarios such as:
• Installation, repair or replacement of pipeline valves both topsides and subsea
• Emergency pipeline repair
• Retrospective installation of pigging facilities – making unpiggable pipelines piggable
• Removal and replacement of a pipeline section, or a deadleg
• Pipeline infrastructure development - new pipeline tie-ins into existing pipelines
• Decommissioning, disconnection or retirement of pipeline sections or deadlegs
The webinar will conclude with recent case studies where double block and bleed isolation has facilitated repair or modification of major pipelines.
Presented by
Dave Vernon,
Director, Isolation Services
Dave Vernon joined STATS in 1999 first serving as a design engineer, moving to engineering manager and then as Director of Isolation Services. Within each of these roles he has been involved in developing and executing both national and international projects.
Dave currently leads our isolation services business unit. He has a substantial track record in research and development, specification and trialling of product and is instrumental in directing and execution of a number of our highest profile isolation projects. During his time at STATS Group he has had unlimited exposure to all aspects of the business portfolio from piping systems, pipeline isolation, intervention, repair, connection and testing work scopes.
His comprehensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry and specific sector awareness provides him with a firm basis for his current position where his focus is the support and further development of the isolation services business streams.
Dale Millward,
Director, EPRS & Subsea Services
Dale has worked in the pipeline and subsea intervention industry since 1992 with involvement in subsea construction, commissioning, repair, isolation, maintenance and decommissioning projects. He graduated from the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen with a B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical and Offshore Engineering. He worked as a subsea Engineer as the Client's Representative on diver and WCROV projects and is an IMCA certified Technical Representative. He joined STATS Group in 2005 and has been involved in the design, development and delivery of bespoke engineered pipeline isolation, repair and recovery solutions.
