STATS Group has successfully isolated a 24″ oil export line on BP’s Marnock ETAP spur line located in the Central North Sea to allow the replacement of a 16” valve.

STATS deployed its 24” Remote Tecno Plug to isolate a pressure of 60 Bar providing safe working conditions to allow valve replacement activities. Once set the primary and secondary seal tests were carried out using full isolation pressure.

The pressure between the primary and secondary seals was monitored throughout the isolation, ensuring safety critical double block isolation. With the valve replaced and Tecno Plug continuing to maintain isolation, a 24” extended body in-line weld test tool was installed through the launcher to straddle the 16” tee. The test tool was then set to carry out the reinstatement and leak test of the 16” branch and valve.

A flexibility on lead time to meet planned platform shutdown dates was imperative and STATS mobilised and completed the work scope in a seven week time frame, including a factory acceptance test in a purpose-built test fixture.

Based near Aberdeen, STATS Group specialises in piping and pipeline integrity and maintenance.

STATS Group isolation services manager, Steven Byers, said: “The project was a success and enabled BP to complete maintenance works which were reliant on the plug providing an isolation. The client was happy with our flexible approach and willingness to interact to achieve the best outcome possible during a time critical window.”

Co-ordination with other companies involved with the project was seamless.

Press Release, March 22, 2013