T.D. Williamson SA reports successful completion of a hot tap operation on a gas pipeline in the Nile Delta, Egypt.
Offshore staff
NIVELLES, Belgium– T.D. Williamson SA reports successful completion of a hot tap operation on a gas pipeline in the Nile Delta, Egypt.
Williamson’s project for operator Petrobel on behalf of Eni SpA was at the 140-ton Temsah Concession pipeline end manifold (PLEM) that connects four pipelines ranging from 14 in to 32 in (35.5 cm to 81 cm) in diameter. Petrobel decided to use the by-pass approach to replacing the PLEM by creating an alternate export pipeline network connecting the production platform to a subsea isolation valve and thence to the 32-in export line.
Phase I of the project involved laying an additional subsea line from the platform to the alternate network. This line was connected by live welding of a hot tap tee at a pipe operating pressure of 106 barg.
Phase II consisted of plugging all the lines after shutting down the platform. Williamson did this using its STOPPLE plug technology to isolate several lines, making it unnecessary to flood the network.
