Offshore staff
NIVELLES, Belgium – T.D. Williamson (TDW) has successfully performed a hot tapping operation offshore Angola for Ponticelli Angoil on behalf of a major operator.
The operation was carried out so that a live flare line could eventually be safely connected to a deposit line that is attached to a FPSO vessel.
Rudy Lenom, project coordinator – Africa for TDW, said: “In spite of working within a tight timeframe in the extremely cramped quarters of the FPSO, the operation was successfully completed, creating a point that will eventually serve to connect the two lines. By connecting the two lines, the operator will be able to burn – or flare – any excess associated natural gas that is released from the oil field during production.”
The TDW team adapted the company’s compact model 760 air drive tapping assembly, and used an additional air motor to perform a 90° 12-in. angle hot tap on a special mechanical fitting used for platform applications. Because work was to be carried out on a flare line, an air motor (rather than a fuel motor) was selected to avoid risk of fire.
The offshore operation took three days. At no time during the operation was production shut down. This was the first time TDW had worked in Angola.
8/27/2012
