42
Tube Products International September 2013
products & developments
Strengthening pipeline safety with
inspection technology
Building on its efforts to enhance pipeline
safety throughout Northern and Central
California, USA, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E) has announced that
it will add a new, customised in-line
inspection device to its growing suite of
technology used in the field.
Working from inside natural gas
pipelines, this cutting-edge ‘smart pig’
provides an efficient and accurate way
to determine the condition of PG&E’s
natural gas transmission system. Built
by 3P Services, the custom smart
pig navigates tight bends and turns
in pipelines ranging from 30" to 36"
in diameter. Designed and produced
especially for PG&E’s system, the smart
pig will provide sophisticated data about
the pipeline’s condition. The tool is
currently in development at 3P Services
in Lingen, Germany.
“Ensuring that our pipelines are in safe
operating condition is ourmost important
job,” said Nick Stavropoulos, executive
vice president, PG&E gas operations.
“Smart pig technology tremendously
enhances our ability to perform routine
inspection and maintenance system-
wide faster, more efficiently and with
greater confidence.”
The flexible, multi-diameter smart pig
travels through the pipeline, using a
combination of sensor technologies to
collect information that is then analysed
to assess the condition of the pipe.
It can identify dents, corrosion and
other defects that could compromise
the safety of the pipeline. If any defects
are found on a segment of pipe, PG&E
will excavate to repair or replace the
segments. Smart pigs are just one of
many tools PG&E is using to monitor for
potential leaks and safeguard its natural
gas system in Northern and Central
California.
“Our work with PG&E is based on the
solitary goal of strengthening PG&E’s
overall, multi-faceted safety strategy with
innovative technology,” said Dr Daniel
Schaper, head of research and develop-
ment, 3P Services. “The highly detailed
data obtained from our smart pigs pro-
vides PG&E engineers with accurate and
reliable information with which to make
informed decisions about how best to
keep their pipeline network safe.”
3P Services
– Germany
PacificGasandElectricCompany
–USA
Pipe alignment clamp
proves popular
PCES Ltd has received an order from
S&D Fabricators Ltd, a pipework
fabrication company in Aberdeen,
Scotland, for its Condell Pipe Alignment
Clamp. The company was said to be
impressed with the simple concept, and
the speed and accuracy of fit ups. S&D
joins J Murphy International, Balfour
Beatty CLG and Caledonian Pipe
Services in appreciating the benefits
of the multi-functional alignment tool,
which combines a jig action
with clamping.
Suitable for standard
carbon or exotic materials,
and with a capacity of
1" to 8" pipe (12" Class
150 flanges), the Condell
clamp brings versatility and
safety to the workplace.
It allows one operative to
complete all pipe fitting and
fabrication needs, fittings to
fittings, and pipe to fittings.
Recent positive comments
about the clamp include:
“I didn’t know what to
expect when I was invited
to this demonstration, but
this tool is fantastic; I want
one in all our facilities” (Doosan Power
Systems); “Brilliantly simple idea, great
tool; why has nobody else thought of
this before?” (CBI-Shaw); and “Once
we started using the Condell Alignment
Clamp we immediately noticed a
considerable increase in productivity
as well as improved accuracy of fit-up”
(Balfour-Beatty CLG Ltd).
PCES Ltd
– UK
Condell alignment clamp
The clamp in action
