Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK – STATS Group has isolated a 24-in. oil export line on BP’s Marnock ETAP spur line located in the UK central North Sea, to allow replacement of a 16-in. valve.
A 24-in. remote tecno plug was deployed to isolate a pressure of 60 bar (870 psi) in order to ensure safe conditions for the replacement. Once set, primary and secondary seal tests followed using full isolation pressure.
Pressure between the primary and secondary seals was monitored throughout the isolation, ensuring safe double-block isolation. Next STATS installed a 24-in. extended body in-line weld test tool through the launcher to straddle the 16-in. tee. This tool was then set to perform reinstatement and leak testing of the 16-in. branch and valve.
STATS mobilized and completed the work scope in seven weeks, including a factory acceptance test in a purpose-built test rig.
3/25/2013
