Aqua Milling® of Complex Sounding Lines

A leading oil field services provider approached Pipetech to provide a solution to remove problematic corrosion product inside sounding lines which lead into ballast tanks on board FPF-1. Other attempts with traditional methods, by others had proven unsuccessful. The corrosion was restricting the inner diameter, which were, some cases, blocked.

 

Scope:

Pipetech mobilised plant and personnel within three days’ notice to the FPF-1. Following a camera inspection by the client, Pipetech entered the first sounding line, and after trialling different nozzles and rotational speed, the optimum nozzle and rpm solution was identified. Pipetech successfully unblocked the sounding line with four hours using Aqua Milling® as the chosen solution and completed a polishing deployment returning the full diameter of the sounding line and the inner walls back to a bare metal.

Challenges:

The challenge for Pipetech was to deliver a suitable solution to enter in through a 2” restricted entry point opening to a 12” inner diameter, reducing to a 2” negotiating unforgiving pipework bends. Aqua Milling® provides versatility through adapting easily to changing diameters. Pipetech adopts a step-wise procedure for complex pipework, monitoring friction loads throughout the operation to ensure the hose and nozzle can easily be retrieved.

Achievements:

A post camera inspection (left) confirmed Pipetech successfully managed to clear the initial sounding line and clean to a much superior standard than other more basic systems.   The initial sounding line was completed ahead of schedule meaning the team could advance and clean two further lines.

 

Benefits:

Safety
Fully contained remotely operated cleaning system carried out cleaning within a controlled area without need to expose personnel to potential debris or high pressure water.

Cleaner
Pipetech successfully managed to clear the initial sounding line and clean to a much superior standard than other more basic systems.

Faster
The initial sounding line was completed ahead of schedule meaning the team could advance and clean two further lines.

Key Project Facts

Date

 

 

Product Line

Aqua Milling®

Specialist cleaning team of 3

3 x sounding lines 36m in length, unblocked and polished, returning lines to fully functional state

Completed in 3 shifts

 

 

Feedback

Operations Manager at FPF-1:

"Pipetech have done a great job, well done. The team have done the unthinkable and delivered a workscope ahead of schedule which rarely happens. The team clearly had a working strategy to find the best solution to unblock the corrosion, which they did."