Expanding the library for offshore oil and gas

Case study : Emergency shutdown valve replacement using non-intrusive isolation technology

We’ve all been taught that sharing is good.

In the oil and gas pipeline industry, sharing knowledge is more than good practice. It’s essential.

Not only does the exchange of ideas strengthen the industry as a whole, having the appropriate information at hand can mean the difference between success and failure, safety and incidents, money saved and money squandered.

Through conference presentations, white papers, and case studies, operators and service providers are bringing to light highly specialized solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing needs. For offshore pipeline operators, that includes intense pressure from regulatory bodies to prove and meticulously maintain the structural integrity of their networks. As a result, improving the efficiency of platform valve replacements has become a top priority.

A new case study, titled Valve Replacement: Using Non-Intrusive Isolation Technology to Minimize Production Downtime, describes how double block and monitor isolation technology enabled the operator of a spar platform located 200 miles off the coast of Louisiana to successfully replace a leaking emergency shutdown valve (ESDV) on a gas export pipeline. The project also included changing out two other valves in order to conform to Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) requirements, and adding a launcher extension to accommodate longer inline inspection tools.

Executing a valve replacement is a complex operation that requires extreme precision and comprehensive planning to ensure safety and minimise flow disruptions. Before the work begins, it’s imperative that the affected sections of the pipe be isolated.

Offshore operators have multiple valve isolation options, including full decommissioning, hot tapping and plugging, and non-intrusive solutions such as double block and monitor technology. The double block and monitor isolation has become standard due to its excellent safety record and ability to decrease downtime.

The case study, authored by T.D. Williamson (TDW), describes how a recent double block and monitor isolation achieved multiple goals for the operator, including:

 Rolf Gunnar Lie, an offshore oil and gas operations specialist for TDW, sees resources like the ESDV replacement case study, which is part of the company’s #OperationOffshore initiative, as a way for the industry to share experiences, build a more comprehensive knowledge base, and educate the next generation of oil and gas professionals.

“Today, solutions to operational issues are highly specialised, and it’s not always easy to know what will be the best fit,” Lie says. “The industry should always find ways to share new technology and methods to carry out repairs without compromising safety. We must also ensure that this information is collected, catalogued, and made accessible to all who can benefit."

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/offshore-and-subsea/04082015/expanding-the-library-for-offshore-oil-and-gas/