Offshore staff
DOHA, Qatar – STATS Group has completed offshore hydrostatic testing services on behalf a Gulf States operator.
The aim was to provide a verified barrier during hot work, followed by localized pressure testing of new welds/fittings during a planned platform shutdown for routine maintenance and re-routing of new pipework.
STATS supplied 28 in-line weld test tools ranging in size from 2-20-in. and a team of six technicians during the 12-day shutdown.
General manager in Qatar Vikas Shangari said the tools, deployed in ambient pipework, allow hot work to be safely and efficiently performed without risk to personnel of flammable or harmful vapors. They are then used to verify the integrity (hydro test) of a new weld or fitting.
“By taking this approach we were able to reduce system downtime and increase worksite safety, minimizing pressure-test volume. Other time and efficiency savings were made by limiting the test area to only the new weld or welded components.”
The platform operator’s safety philosophy required a dual positive isolation before performing any hot work activities. Normally this means attaching blind flanges at multiple locations for every field weld and conducting a system hydro test to prove the integrity of the new welds.
STATS’ dual sealed test tools were deployed on more than 10 locations with no requirement to flood and dewater the large piping systems, leading (the company says) to enhanced safety and time/resource saving.
8/14/2013
