Skip to main content

Valve replacement case study

Oilfield Technology,


The Saras Refinery refines approximately 15 million t of crude oil into petroleum products each year, which accounts for approximately 15% of Italy’s total refining capacity, so it’s crucial that it operates at optimum capacity all year round.

When engineers at the refinery needed to replace two valves on a section of line, which operates at 235 °C and is connected to the steam collector MP, they knew that a complex intervention would be necessary, especially because the work would have to be carried out without interrupting production.

The intervention on the steam line would require a number of items in order that the operation would be successfully executed. The work scope featured the following:

  • A comprehensive risk analysis in compliance with HSE standrds to ensure personnel safety and plant integrity.
  • An on site production structure to make certain that the plant would continue to operate throughout the intervention.
  • A detailed engineering plan outlining the entire intervention process.
  • A production schedule of all necessary work, including dates and time required for each task.

Refinery operator Saras shares a long term relationship with global pipeline services provider TD Williamson, which specialises in pipeline pressure intervention services and technology that make it possible to safely isolate a section of line while repair work is carried out, without shutting down production or operations.

To create a safe working environment, Saras requested that TDW carry out a STOPPLE® Train pipeline pressure intervention so that the high temperature streamline could be tapped, plugged and safely isolated without disrupting operations. The STOPPLE train method uses field proven Double Clock and Bleed plugging technology to temporarily block sections of live pipelines. This unique design permits the simultaneous insertion of two plugging heads through a single fitting. This method is preferable because it provides two barrier surfaces (including a bleed port for pressure and product evacuation) between the intervention work zone and the line’s internal pressurised contents.

Improving efficiency, saving time

When working on a high temperature line, the less time the line is isolated, the better. A major advantage of using Double Block and Bleed isolation method, as opposed to single block, is that initial insertion is much more likely to achieve an immediate and complete isolation that prevents any product from seeping into the line past plugging heads. This means that it has much greater ‘first time’ success rate. As a result, the line is isolated more rapidly, allowing work on the high temperature line to take place immediately. It also means because numerous attempts are not required to obtain a good seal, essential work is not delayed and is carried out within a very brief window of time, which is critical for high temperature applications, since material properties are under extreme stress.

The TDW team used a standard tapping machine to hot tap the high temperature 20 in. line, and the specially engineered STOPPLE train system to plug it. Due to the extremely high temperature of the line, the equipment could not be allowed to remain in the line for more than 72 hours, but owing to the ‘first time’ success of the isolation, the intervention could be carried out in 48 hours. During this time the line was isolated at a safe operating pressure of 14 bar (203 psi) while the valves and corroded section of line were replaces, without disrupting refinery operations.

Mariano Russo of Saras commented: The TDW team demonstrated an excellent ability to integrate with our internal structure. Every technician worked with determination to accomplish this operation, in all of its complexity. We thank the entire team for their professionalism and commitment”.


Adapted from a press release by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/product-news/16092014/high-temperature-maintenance-work-1282/

You might also like

 
 

Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):


 

This article has been tagged under the following:

Oil & gas news