INNOVATIONS 28 No4 2015

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I N N O V AT I O N S • V O L . V I I , N O. 4 • 2 0 1 5
2 | EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK
Upping our game in the oil
and gas industry
4 | GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Industry commentary from
around the world
6 | TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
Developing the right plan to
overcome "unpiggable"
8 | SAFETY MATTERS
Unpacking social license and
building relationships
10 | FUTURE THINKING
Promoting alternative line
proving processes
12 | MARKET REPORT
Benefiting from a low oil
price environment
20 | TOUCHPOINTS
Pipeline Events, Papers
and Conferences
28 | BY THE NUMBERS
The 5 Whys of Pigging
Automation
14 | Test and Test Again
Providing a more comprehensive understanding of pipeline
integrity by combining tried-and-true pressure testing with
leading edge inline inspection technology.
22 | Loss Prevention and Insurance
Realizing the added benefits of loss prevention programs
as they help optimize insurance costs.
D E P A R T M E N T S
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jim Myers Morgan
MANAGING EDITOR Waylon Summers
ART DIRECTOR Kat Eaton
DESIGN PRODUCTION
DIGITAL PRODUCTION Jim Greenway, Ward Mankin
PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Murphy, Scott Miller
T.D. Williamson
North and South America +1 918 447 5000
Europe/Africa/Middle East +32 67 28 3611
Asia Pacific +65 6364 8520
Offshore Services +47 5144 3240
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V O L . V I I , N O. 4 • 2 0 1 5
Innovations™ Magazine is a quarterly publication produced by T.D. Williamson.
®Registered trademark of T.D. Williamson, Inc. in the United States and other countries. ™ Trademark of T.D. Williamson, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
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Phases Four
BYTHE
NUMBERS of PROGRESSIVEPIGGING
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INCREASE and REDUCTION in just the right
areas. Follow this example of an Eagle Ford shale
play operator as it implements pigging automation to
increase its systemefficiencywhile loweringcost.
As the operatorwas able to preloadmultiple spheres, program and
release them automatically, it required fewer site visits by its technicians,
whichmeantless drive time and reducedoperational risk.
After one year of implementing pigging automation, the operator
reduced itsmethane emissions equivalent to the emissions
output of 558 passenger vehicles over the same time period.
85% REDUCTIONIN HOURS/MILEAGE
THROUGHPUT increased due to greatly
enhanced flow efficiency, as a result ofmultiple
pig/tool loading options, automated release, and
consistent liquids removal.
HEALTH,SAFETY,AND
ENVIRONMENTALsavings realized as
driving frequency and operational injury risks
are reduced;methane emissions lowered.
PERSONNEL reallocation realized as fewer
field technicians are required to launch and
receive spheres, pigs, and inspection tools.
OPERATIONALcosts lowered by reduced
fuel and power consumption,maintenance,
and risk of plant shutdown; less valve cycling
resulting in longer valve life.
REGULATION compliance cost proactively
reduced, such asmeeting the criteria for the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary
NaturalGasSTARMethaneChallenge Program.
70%
reduced
64%
reduced
4%
reduced
39%
reduced
reduced
methane
emissions
32%
increased
after
automation
before
automation
DUAL
LAUNCH PINS
SPHERE
Does not fully include fuel& power savings.
558 PASSENGER VEHICLES DRIVING AVERAGEMILES OVER ONE YEAR
reduced
operational
risk
AUTOMATED LAUNCH
So how is pigging actually
automated?
»Loadmultiple spheres
at one time
»Programmable logic
controller
»Hydraulically operated
release system
Automation also offers the
added benefits of reduced
closure door operation and
valve cycling.
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W ysof Pigging Automation ive