TDW performs SmartPlug isolation for gas pipeline offshore Nigeria

T.D. Williamson (TDW) has completed its first SmartPlug isolation job offshore Nigeria.

The company was working for a major operator through its local partner, Strides Energy & Maritime.

According to TDW, isolating the 267-km (165-mile) natural gas pipeline enabled safe change-out and leak testing of platform valves without the need to depressurize the system.

This was the latest of 47 SmartPlug campaigns TDW has undertaken for the operator globally since 2001.

The SmartPlug non-intrusive isolation technology is designed to reduce production downtime during repair and replacement work, and for natural gas pipelines, it eliminates the need to flare product.

For the Nigeria project, two plug modules provided a double barrier to isolate pipeline contents at 80 bar (1,160 psi) line pressure. A third module allowed for in-situ pressure testing of the new valves at 132 bar (1,915 psi) while the isolation remained in place, undisturbed, for 32 days.

Strides, TDW, and the operator co-operated to address pandemic-related mobilisation challenges to ensure isolation within the operator’s timetable.

Measures adopted included use of videoconferencing allowing parties in Nigeria, Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK to virtually witness the factory acceptance testing. This helped TDW to deliver the equipment in just four weeks.

Once the SmartPlug isolation tool was set, crews performed round-the-clock monitoring, including remotely (via satellite) by teams in Norway and Australia at night, when access to the platform was restricted.

Source: Offshore Magazine