CASE STUDY | HOT TAPPING AND PLUGGING CS16-04

>> Single Tap Double Block and Bleed Isolation

Cuts Costs of Pipeline Piggability Expansion

What’s Inside:
» Common High Pressure PIPELINE OPERATORS PERFORM INLINE INSPECTION (ILI)
Isolation Challenges
to evaluate the integrity of natural gas and hazardous liquid

» Double Block and Bleed Defined pipelines. By providing an indirect measurement of pipeline
features and anomalies, including corrosion, dents, and
» Benefits of Single Tap gouges, ILI can help operators prioritize repairs, mitigate risk,
DB&B Isolation and maximize throughput.

Because ILI involves running inspection tools — sometimes

referred to as “smart pigs” — through pipelines, the pipeline
systems must be suitable for pigging. Among other conditions,
pipelines must be equipped to launch and receive the pigs.
As part of its rigorous integrity management program (IMP), a
Canadian natural gas operator performs ILI on approximately
two-thirds of its 3,000 km (1864 mi) system of transmission
pipelines every five to seven years.

To enable ILI activities on two large-diameter transmission

lines in the Vancouver, BC, area, the operator needed to tie in
a pig launcher and receiver while the pipeline — the only
supply source for 168,000 people and a major power site’s size and location, coupled with a tight timeline, meant
generation facility — remained completely operational. This that the isolation techniques typically executed by the
meant the work zone had to be bypassed. However, the work operator could not be used.

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 C A S E S T U D Y : Single Tap Double Block and Bleed Isolation

To overcome these challenges, the operator employed provide a barrier against the pipeline pressure. Occupational Health and Safety code specifically
newer technology that enabled a safe, double block encourages the use of double block and bleed
and bleed isolation through a single tap, saving time In this case, however, that solution was not viable: the technology when conducting maintenance on
and money. work zone was too small to allow for multiple taps pipelines under pressure.
and fittings on each line.

The work site’s size and Space wasn’t the only constraint, however. Not only DOUBLE BLOCK AND
location, coupled with a did the operator require an alternative that could BLEED ISOLATION
tight timeline, meant that provide an effective isolation within the confined area,
the isolation techniques time was also an issue: the entire project, including definition:
typically executed by the launcher-receiver installation, had to be completed
“The isolation of a pipeline section
operator could not be used. under an aggressive nine-day schedule. And the site’s
location adjacent to a major highway further
utilizing two independent seals, both
capable of handling full pipeline
emphasized the priority placed around safety. To meet pressure, and a drain or vent of
CHALLENGE the timetable and safety requirements, first time sufficient size to manage any product
In 2015, the operator of a large Canadian natural gas isolation success was imperative. passing the primary seal.”
system launched two projects to make the last of the
Vancouver, BC, area transmission system piggable for SOLUTION
ILI. That included the installation of pig launching and To ensure a safe, efficient isolation within the confined Historically, pipeline operators have used a number of
receiving equipment on a 36-inch pipeline at a river work zone, the operator contracted global pipeline different methods to meet that criteria, including:
crossing, and moving a pig receiving barrel for a solutions provider T.D. Williamson (TDW) to execute » Two separate in-line valves with a bleed port
24-inch pipeline from one station to another. double block and bleed isolations using 24-inch and in between.
36-inch STOPPLE® Train technology. STOPPLE Train
» Combining an inline valve and a plugging head
Typically, the operator would isolate and bypass the technology has been used successfully in more than
with a bleed port in between.
work sites using three fittings at each end of the 2,300 insertions around the world.
isolation to prevent any product seepage from
» The tandem orientation of two plugging heads
Double block and bleed isolations are associated with with a bleed port between each block.
migrating to the work site. They would include a
reduced branch for bypass flow, a full-size branch for increased reliability, savings, and safety, making them TDW STOPPLE Train technology is unique because
the plugging head, and a reduced branch for a bag increasingly popular among oil and gas operators it consists of two plugging heads with independent
stop — an inflatable bag inserted into the line to worldwide. In fact, the province of Alberta’s seals connected in a train formation and inserted into

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 C A S E S T U D Y : Single Tap Double Block and Bleed Isolation

the pipeline through a single tap, creating two

successful seals. A large bleed port between the
IN THIS CASE, THE STOPPLE
seals safely evacuates any product that seeps past TRAIN SOLUTION INCLUDED:
the primary seal. This effectively creates a zone of
“zero energy” and enables operators to make repairs
Application engineering team with specialized
and perform maintenance on an in-service pipeline in
experience dedicated to designing and
a safe work environment.
implementing this project in order to tailor to
unique and specific needs.

Welding fittings onto the pipeline’s upstream

and downstream ends and installing specialized
valves to allow access to the pipe.

Performing hot taps.

Retrieving the coupons, or cut portions of

Zero Energy
the pipeline, to verify pipe wall thickness.
Zone (Annulus)

Closing the valves and removing the

tapping machines.
With fewer taps necessary and less equipment left on
the line, STOPPLE train isolations were well-suited for Placing the STOPPLE Train isolation equipment
this project’s limited footprint. atop the sandwich valves and installing the
bypass to the STOPPLE Train housings.
The STOPPLE Train isolation remained in place for two
days. During this time, product flow continued Inserting the trains into the pipeline. The
uninterrupted while the new lines were tied in and downstream system was inserted first, which
connected to the launcher-receiver system. Afterward, initiated product flow through the bypass. The
the isolated section was re-pressurized, the STOPPLE upstream system was then inserted, isolating
Train systems removed, completion plugs set, and the the pipeline section to be cut out so the tie-ins
bypass blown down. could be made.

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 C A S E S T U D Y : Single Tap Double Block and Bleed Isolation

Results, Return on Investment, and Future Plans

The STOPPLE Train system is field-proven to greatly increase the probability taps, excavations, possible leak paths, and amount of welding required. In
of achieving a workable seal during the initial set. As the time frame for addition, the highway remained open to traffic during the isolation, with its
this job was extremely tight, the importance of establishing a safe isolation safety uncompromised.
quickly was critical. The TDW team successfully executed each STOPPLE
By using the STOPPLE Train system, the operator maintained uninterrupted
Train isolation on the first attempt, enabling the installation of the
product flow while expanding the piggability and, ultimately, the integrity of
launcher-receiver to be completed ahead of schedule, in seven business
its transmission system.
days instead of the expected nine.

In addition to shortening the project timetable, STOPPLE Train

technology helped the operator decrease costs. For example,
achieving the double block and bleed isolation through a
single tap achieved an estimated equipment savings of 44
Entire project
completed in 44% Reduced
percent compared to a traditional double block and bleed
configuration. Additional savings were tied to:
97 Days Equipment cost
reduction
crew time =
lower labor costs

» Reduced excavation costs — fewer taps meant smaller

excavation areas.
» Lower labor costs — with fewer taps and less excavation, Cost savings and smaller Nearby highway Fewer taps makes
crews spent less time on the job. excavation through a safely remained excavation areas

The STOPPLE Train system also promoted safety through Single Tap Open Smaller
first-time isolation success and by reducing the number of

© 2017 T.D. Williamson, Inc.

www.tdwilliamson.com
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Offshore Services +1 832 448 7200

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