Offshore Oil and Gas Rely on APS to keep platform Operational

The Client

Is a leading independent services provider for the oil, gas and power generation markets. Worldwide these services include engineering, procurement and
construction management, facility operations & maintenance, repair & overhaul of turbines and other high-speed rotating equipment, as well as provision
and field service of pumps, wellheads and valves. Their global reputation has been built upon decades of successfully managing even the most complex
engagements for their clients, offering a broad range of integrated services across the asset life cycle. Today, as always, they are focused on safely delivering
innovative, fit-for-purpose solutions to a very diverse customer base.

The Problem

Offshore oil rigs are located a fair distance from the nearest land so it is essential that the oil rig is able to support the needs of the workers. For this reason oil rigs
will have a desalination plant to purify the salt water converting it to fresh water for cooking, drinking and, washing and cleaning purposes. Usually rigs will have two
systems for redundancy incase one fails. It is just so that in this case one of the units had failed.This meant that the rig only had the use of one system. Its
replacement was essential should the other system fail. Unfortunately whilst this unit was out of service the other unit was working hard. This posed a problem for the rig operator. The unit had to be changed without affecting the operation of the other unit or affecting the water supply to the rig. In order to replace this unit sections of pipe had to be relocated so the old unit could be removed and the new one installed. APS were approached by the The Wood Group to help
them identify a solution that would help to solve the problem.

The Solution

APS worked closely with the Wood Group and it’s engineers on the oil rig to determine the best solution for this scenario. After much discussion It was decided that the use of the mechanical linestop equipment would be the best course of action. With the mechanical linestops in place the rig engineers were able to remove the required sections of pipe and install the valves further down the line. Once the valves were installed the linestops could be removed and capped off.

The Outcome

The process is highly efficient. It allows for the system to be worked on without the loss of service. The efficiency gains are substantial as it eliminates the need of a shut down. It is not only the benefits of efficiency that this service offers but a real costs saving one too. The costs of shutting down the desalination plant would mean that the platform would have to be evacuated until such time as the system was up and running again. All the while production would be at a standstill incurring substantial costs.

 

More Information

If you would like a free quote with no obligation then please go to www.alliedpipefreezing.co.uk

Large Construction Firm needed under pressure drilling to resolve a difficult to access problem

A national construction firm working on a number of large projects, both designing and building of office, commercial, industrial, residential and leisure properties for private and public sectors came across an unknown pipe on one of its sites.

The Problem

The contractor wanted to investigate to see what was contained in the pipe. Without the benefit of plans or diagrams the contractor contacted Allied Pipefreezing for a solution.

The Solution

Allied Pipefreezing offered to drill and tap the pipe to install a valve. From the valve the contractor would be able to take a sample ofthe contents or probe the pipe to see what was inside.

It became apparent that there was nothing in the pipe. After probing the pipe it was found that there was sludge in the bottom of the pipe about a foot deep. The pipe was probed with an oxygen monitor to see if there was a build up of gas. The result was negative showing normal atmospheric readings. It was discussed and agreed that the pipe had been unused for some time.

Customer Comments

This process proved to be successful and saved a lot of potential problems, timely delays and unforeseen cost implications. We are extremely pleased with the outcome.

More information

If you would like a free quote with no obligation please go to: www.alliedpipefreezing.co.uk

Large Engineering Company used shrink fitting to repair worn bearing journals

The Problem

An engineering company which uses a roller table to straighten steel plate up to 6″ thick had a problem with three of the rollers, which had worn bearing journals.

The Solution

The most cost effective method of repair was to manufacture new end pieces and Shrink-fit them into the bored-out sockets in the rollers.

The new inserts, weighing approx 500kgs were immersed in Liquid Nitrogen until they were reduced to their minimum diameter. Once they were at this stage, the inserts were removed from the bath of nitrogen and offered up to the rollers and inserted. The interference fit was sufficient however to ensure they did not wear out too soon the inserts where also secured with eight retaining bolts.

Customer Comments

The traditional method of heating up materials works however can cause issues with the integrity of the material. The shrink fit method leaves no lasting effects on the material, so is a much safer and reliable method.
We are pleased to have the expertise available to offer us this service. The process is quick, inexpensive and environmentally friendly compared to traditional methods.

More information

If you would like a free quote with no obligation please go to: www.alliedpipefreezing.co.uk

Large Electrical and Mechanical Services Company helped by Pipe Freezing

Working on a multitude of sites up and down the country this client works on all types of projects from simple maintenance to huge retrofits and new installs.

The Problem

This client had a problem with a cooling system. The site housed a multi million pound computer infrastructure for a cutting edge manufacturing company. The cooling system provided climate control for the computer room. The cooling fans were in the process of being replaced, but as the system was installed many years ago the client wanted to replace all the isolation valves to the units. It was imperative that the system was not drained. Being chilled water lines the contents included a large percentage of glycol which if drained would be subject to environmental legislation.
The client contacted Allied Pipefreezing for advice. A representative from Allied Pipefreezing visited the site and discussed the requirements with the client in an attempt to provide a solution that would meet the requirements of the client and principal contractor.

The Solution

Allied Pipefreezing solved the problem by providing a freezing solution. By freezing either side of the valves the valves were able to be replaced without the loss of chilled water and the need to drain down the chiller units.

Customer Comments

By not having to drain down and store the liquid Allied Pipefreezing have saved about a weeks work, not to mention the savings of wages and disposal costs.

More Information

If you would like a free quote with no obligation please go to: www.alliedpipefreezing.co.uk

Allied Pipefreezing uses Line stopping to solve a problem at a large electronics manufacturer

The Client

A global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets, this privately-held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing and sales operations in more than 30 countries.

The Problem
Allied Pipefreezing were approached by the maintenance manager based at their main site in the UK. He was experiencing problems with a compressed air line. The line passed through an evaporation chamber then carried on around the building. At either side of the chamber was a valve.

The chamber was past its yearly inspection as they were unable to isolate it from the line. The requirement was to isolate the 2 valves so that they could be stripped down, cleaned and have the internals replaced. This all had to be done without any disruption in supply.

The Solution
Allied Pipefreezing were able to offer a line stopping service. Linestopping is a method by which a mechanical plug is inserted into the pipe, under pressure, to provide isolation. Add to this the capability of using the linestopping equipment to install a bypass as well; operations are able to continue without interruption.

The line stops were put in place allowing the on site service engineers to strip the valves as required and replace the internals. Once this was done the valves were re-assembled. The mechanical Linestops were withdrawn from the line allowing the valves to be tested to ensure a proper seal and to confirm they were functioning correctly.

Customer Comments
“The solution provided has saved us an awful lot of time and money. We were able to conduct urgent maintenance tasks without the need of shutting down production, and the loss of revenue associated. As a result we were able to carry out our tasks during normal working hours. This service is a real benefit and one we will definitely be using in the future.”

For more information keeping your operations running and information on how you can use line stopping in your organisation, go to www.alliedpipefreezing.co.uk

The NHS

Click Here to read our latest case study on how Allied Pipefreezing was able to provide a solution that helped a large hospital to achieve it’s maintenance tasks with out disruption to service.

If you have a challenge that you think we might be able to assist with please contact the sales team who will be more than willing to help.