Piping technology specialist STATS Group has successfully completed a 20in valve change-out on the Yanga platform, offshore the Republic of Congo.
The Aberdeen-based company was contracted by Halliburton, on behalf of Total E&P, to provide pipeline isolation to replace a launcher valve located downstream between the Yanga export and Sendji production lines.
The Sendji production line was to remain live and online during the valve intervention works. Following a full site survey STATS proposed the use of a of a 20in Tethered Tecno Plug™ as the primary isolation, with an additional modified 24in Tecno Plug deployed to isolate the launcher door and provide umbilical management.
Once valve change-out was complete and with the Tecno Plug continuing to provide safe isolation, STATS deployed a 20in in-line weld test tool to carry out a leak test on the reinstated flange joint. Due to the timely completion of the isolation and valve change-out, the operator carried out an additional change-out of three valves, saving the operator time and providing a cost-effective solution.
STATS Group managing director Peter Duguid said: "Without STATS' isolation proposal, the alternative solution for carrying out valve change-out would be to shut down the entire pipeline, resulting in a loss of time and revenue for the operator, potentially costing millions of pounds in lost production per day."
"Client representatives, including installation OIMs, were highly impressed with the efficient, safe and professional manner in which the STATS team carried out their tasks and feedback from the client was extremely positive."
The six-day operation was worth a six-figure sum and is STATS' first project completed in the Republic of Congo.
Mr Duguid added: "The successful workscope gave us a platform to demonstrate the capabilities of our technology and we hope it may lead to similar projects in the Congo on behalf of Halliburton and Total E&P."
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