TPI July 2012

oi l & gas pipel ines

Hydratight devises solution for Statoil

forcing the shut-down of an associated 10" line, halting production.

Hydratight was called in to repair a damaged pipe on a subsea wellhead ‘Christmas tree’ on the Troll C oil and gas platform, 100km northwest of Bergen, Norway. A mandrel and its 6" supporting pipe were pulled out of position during an operation, overloading the pipe and

Experts from joint integrity and engineering services company Hydratight found an innovative solution to a tricky repair for Statoil, by using a Morgrip connector to repair a 6" super duplex pipe located within the constrained space of a subsea manifold, 340m under the surface of the North Sea.

“At that depth solutions were limited,” said Hydratight application engineer Mark Fisher. A 6" super duplex Morgrip end-connector had to be a specially engineered solution to fit within the significant physical constraints of the damaged manifold. “The cracked pipe was partially inside the manifold, so we had to ensure that the Morgrip’s overall dimensions were an absolute minimum to get it to fit,” explained Mr Fisher. The pipe, which carries a mixture of water, oil and gas, was pressure-tested to 267 bar after the procedure, and will be tested again from time to time to ensure the pipe has not deteriorated further. The Morgrip successfully sealed the line in accordance with Statoil’s requirements. The pipe integrity was retained with no de-rating of the pipeline or deviation from original design.

Hydratight – UK morgrip@hydratight.com www.hydratight.com

Hydratight Morgrip end connector

Marcellus Shale creating jobs in steel industry

with the Public Utility Commission to explore, drill or transmit natural gas to report the country of origin and manufacture of any steel products they use. He also met representatives of Dura- Bond Pipe, which coats the steel pipe made at the Mon Valley Works, and officials from PGT Trucking, which transports the coated pipe to the natural gas companies.

manufactures the steel pipe used in drilling and transporting natural gas.

Marcellus Shale natural gas is helping to revive Pennsylvania’s steel industry and create good-paying jobs, according to Lt Governor Jim Cawley, during a tour of the US Steel Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, Allegheny County. “Governor Corbett and I are focused on putting Pennsylvanians back to work and the responsible development of natural gas is playing a key role. “The need for high quality steel in the drilling rigs, the platforms and the pipelines is creating jobs right here at US Steel,” said Mr Cawley. US Steel has several works in the Mon Valley, including the Irvin Plant, which

The Mon Valley Works employs more than 3,000 people and has an annual raw steel production capability of 2.9 million net tons. “Pennsylvania makes some of the best steel in the world and Governor Corbett and I want to promote its use in the Marcellus Shale play,” said Mr Cawley. “If you are going to drill for gas here, then we want to encourage you to use steel made here.”

US Steel – USA www.uss.com

Dura-Bond – USA www.dura-bond.com

Mr Cawley pointed to Act 127 of 2011, which requires companies registered

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Tube Products International July 2012

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