Cell fill line sealed in critical timescale
Platelets® technology buys time for long-term solution
- Client Major Operator
- Leak Location Cell Fill Line
- Location North Sea Platform
- Nominal Bore 12 inch
Challenge
The North Sea platform developed a leak in one of the cell fill lines, which is used to transport fluids to and from storage. The leak was located a short distance from where the pipeline passes into the utility leg from the cell and was therefore inaccessible for application of an external seal. The initial leak rate was estimated as 2l/s but this was increasing steadily.
Solution
Brinker prepared a Platelet® solution to stem the leak until a long-term remedial solution could be implemented.
As time was critical, a Brinker engineer was mobilised with a full range of Platelets® suitable for different leakage scenarios and positioned in the control room, from where an overview of the Platelet® injection and sealing could be monitored, for the duration of the operation.
Outcome
Following this deployment of a Platelet® solution, a seal was achieved. The Brinker engineer then used remote cameras to check for any seepage or small secondary leaks but none could be seen. The leg crew then confirmed that spray from the leak was no longer visible and exited the leg approximately 40 minutes after the seal was achieved. The leak, which was originally believed to be in a vertical section of line, was found to be at a 90-degree bend and therefore the prepared clamp would not have been an option. With the Platelet® seal having been in place for 19 days, a gelling operation was carried out to achieve double isolation, and the line replaced.
The upside
This Platelet® operation enabled the client to seal the leak quickly and then identify the most appropriate long-term solution.
The successful seal provided by Platelets®, in an area the client was not able to put personnel, effectively prevented a scenario that could have led to collapse of the leg and the platform.
