The operator of an oil line had a requirement to replace a 36” gate valve on a valve station. The clearance between the overall length of the plug and the flange faces of the two valves was extremely tight at just over 4” total, meaning the plug had to be positioned within 2”.
Online Electronics proposed the use of the ID5000 ACTIVE Ultrasonic ATEX topside pig signaller /locator to give an indication of pig’s location.
The isolation plug was to be pigged along a pipeline approximately 5 metres prior to being stopped in the spool-piece and locked into place between a pair of gate valves.
Online's ID5000A was initially used to locate the front, middle and rear of plug in the minor barrel at the start of the job in addition to using the EM ‘null spot’ for location due to excessive wall thickness.
As can be seen in the image the plug was carefully moved into place prior to being set. Once the plug set the damaged valve could be safely removed, replaced and the line safely returned to service.
