Hydratight Launches New Well-Head Intervention Service
04 November 2008
Even the most exhaustive inspection and maintenance regimes cannot always predict every eventuality, as a major name in the petro-chemical industry discovered when the time came to vent a propylene storage-well at a key UK site. On inspection, the company found that an isolation valve on a disused branch had seized shut, hampering activities to prepare the well for de-comissioning.
This was a prime test of Hydratight's new well-head intervention service, which offers a fast, safe solution to all kinds of well-head and storage tank faults. A cutting-edge combination of online leak sealing, hot bolting and tapping expertise are used to clear blocked systems and return them to full operation.
In this case, the plant's owners knew of Hydratight's reputation in joint-integrity services and engineered solutions, and called in the company's engineers.
"As an operating company, we occasionally commission hot and cold tapping activities on pipework," the client's asset manager explained. "What pleased me in this instance was the ability of Hydratight to develop a safe and methodical approach for a controlled breakthrough of a blind flange. Hydratight's design of the adaptor, and the way that it was safely and securely integrated onto the blind while online, was the innovation that impressed me and made this activity possible. All equipment was designed and tested, with full documentation of the method made available to give us the confidence that Hydratight could be trusted with this critical task."
At first sight, the high-pressure task had seemed a major mountain to climb, however, as Jim Tate, Hydratight's operations manager, commented: "But the task was broken down into parts and our engineers developed and tested ways to address each potential risk. When we got to the site, it all went very smoothly."
"We started with surface preparation of the branch line and tested it with ultrasonic gear, to make sure it was sound," Jim explained. "Then a custom-made flange clamp was installed to minimise risks while we hot-bolted the assembly for the through-bolt connector. Final hydrotesting confirmed complete security, prior to the hot tap."
Hydratight's mainland sales manager, Stuart Hought, said: "The job's success was down to team effort - our staff and procedures integrated seamlessly with our client's safety measures, so all risks to people and the environment were removed. This was a very tough test - and our people passed with flying colours."
"Our well-head service neatly packages our extensive engineering and technical expertise in this field to provide winning solutions for the real world, making Hydratight the first call for many companies experiencing difficulties," said Chris Leonard, Hydratight's service product manager.
