Inserting a positive isolation spade on live pipe flanges is a game changer. The purpose of the tool is to enable safe isolations and to reduce extent and duration of production shutdowns, adding value of 2-20 MUSD per application. The principle design was developed within the Company addressing shortcomings of traditional isolation methods. The tool is field proven on a platform on the NCS. Plants have large volumes which require substantial preparation and start up activities in relation to performing maintenance operations. The isolation tool can shorten shut down periods significantly thereby reducing cost. Typical applications may include replacement of valves and piping, isolate heat exchangers for chemical cleaning or replacing leaking flange gasket with new gaskets and bolts. The live isolation tool can turn the original spectacle blinds on live systems, replace elements connected to piping systems, floating hulls, connections to high volume tanks. The tool can be installed on a pair of flanges at the maintenance location and significantly reduces the need for drainage, venting purging and flushing. A field proven tool for live process isolation has been demonstrates as a safe and cost saving technology. The technology is patented and is significantly different from existing methods of line stopping. There is a wide range of application areas in Facilities and Production Operations and the new tool will increase plant uptime. The case study is based on the first field application of the live isolation tool on a 24" flange without draining the inventory. No conventional isolation methods were feasible in this isolation case to facilitate chemical cleaning of a heat exchanger thereby sustaining uptime in a large process plant on major offshore platform NCS.
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