N E W S R E L E A S E from FURMANITE AUSTRALIA
____________________________________________________________________
Specialist expertise removes hazard risk in major gas rig shutdown
Specialist equipment and expertise enabled Furmanite, the speciality services company geared to maximising asset uptime, to undertake on-site machining work including some specialist requirements on the Bayu-Undan platform during the recent shutdown, with optimum speed, accuracy and safety.
The size and scope of the shutdown on the ConocoPhillips Bayu-Undan platform, which took place in the spring of this year, is reported to have been one of the world’s largest. Within the extensive workscope Furmanite, which offers an extensive range of services to minimise downtime and keep assets earning, was called in to undertake a range of hot tapping and on-site machining work including machining heavy pipe wall and exotic materials, using cold cutting techniques throughout (in an environment in which hot cutting was not an option, presenting an unacceptable risk).
Among the specialist machining requirements, Furmanite’s role included undertaking a 12 inch hot tap into a 20 inch diameter stainless steel flareline, as well as a 10 inch diameter hot tap into a heavy wall caisson for positive isolation to enable the inner caisson overflow level to be modified.
In addition, Furmanite undertook pipe cutting and weld prepping to various pipework – including heavy wall, up to 30 inch diameter pipes, using rotary cutting technology – and removal of small bore pipework and support brackets, plus flange facing of several damaged flange faces to ensure an effective seal for joint integrity, and ring type joint (RTJ) modification to raised face joints on the export line for temporary use at a reduced pressure rating for dewatering.
To undertake all pipe cutting, weld prepping, hot tapping and flange facing work Furmanite used its specialist pneumatically-driven cold cut machining equipment. This virtually negates the risks associated with hot cutting, while also offering efficient, accurate cut and prep facilitation to minimise welding time and re-work that can occur from impurities remaining in the cut area from hot cutting.
The flange facing work was undertaken using lightweight, portable machines which were set up on the work piece in-situ, avoiding costly and hazardous removal for machining in the workshop and re-welding to reinstall afterwards. Air-driven cold cut power saws (also light in weight and able to be used in areas of constricted access along the pipe racking) were used to remove the small bore pipework and support brackets. And the hot tapping work was undertaken using specialist hot tap machines designed for live work on pipelines.
Highly skilled Furmanite technicians undertook the work, which was completed over a six week period.
Commenting on the work, Amec integrated shutdown team manager Dave Gray said: “We were extremely pleased with the high standard of work. Furmanite’s industry experience and expertise enabled them to undertake the full scope efficiently, within the scheduled timeframe.”
For further press information contact:
Sarah Manwaring-White
Keep in Touch Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1451 844 488
Email: sarah_mw@keepintouch.co.uk