TIE-IN SOLUTION FOR PIGGING-COMPATIBLE GAS PIPELINES
An elegant tie-in solution was necessary for maintaining the piggability of main pipelines. Two 12-inch natural gas lines needed to be connected to a new well site near Pittsburgh. An innovative solution was used with TDW fittings and pig guide bars.
When maintaining the piggability of main lines was crucial, an elegant tie-in solution WAS necessary.
The job site with the two 12-inch x 12-inch 3-WAY™ Tee Fittings
Project Overview
A new natural gas well was being completed near Pittsburgh, necessitating the connection of two 12-inch lines from the well site to two 12-inch main lines. The 12-inch main lines needed to remain piggable.
Design & IMPLEMENTATION
To meet these requirements, an innovative solution using TDW 12-inch x 12-inch 600 class 3-WAY™ Tee Fittings with LOCK-O-RING® and pig guide bars was used. The LOCK-O-RING® completion plug features an interlock system that helps eliminate potential leak paths and ensures proper seating. The implementation process included:
Fitting Installation: The 3-WAY™ Tee Fittings were welded onto the 12-inch main lines.
Pipeline Connection: The 12-inch pipes with valves were welded to the 12-inch outlets on the fittings.
Hot Tapping: TDW service technicians performed two 12-inch Hot Taps.
Completion Plug Setting: The completion plugs with pig guide bars were set into the fittings by the TDW service technicians.
One of the completion plugs with pig guide bars
This approach allowed for the seamless integration of the new well site while maintaining the piggability of the main lines. By utilizing TDW's advanced fitting and plug technology, the tie-in solution not only met the immediate operational needs but also provided long-term reliability and safety for the pipeline system.
Kerr Engineered Sales Company has been representing leading pipeline repair and performance companies in Eastern US since the company was founded in 1952. Seventy two years later, the company remains a family business serving customers with the highest quality service and expertise.
Our application specialists at Kerr Engineered Sales Company are also available for demonstrations, team presentations, lunch and learns and customer visits.
TDW Pig Parts - A Guide
TDW Pigs have various components. They come in a multitude of configurations. This blog reviews key parts that you’ll find on pigs and explains some of their uses.
TDW PIGGING INSIGHTS - Episode 4
Overview of TDW Pig Parts and Their Uses
TDW Pig Parts
TDW designs and manufactures an extensive selection of pipeline pigs for specific applications, such as liquids displacement, cleaning, batching, gauging.
Pigs have various components, and each pig comes in a multitude of configurations. This blog looks at some of the key parts that make up a pig and explains the uses of these parts.
pig PArts and their uses
Discs: Are effective at pushing out solids and providing a good support for the pig.
Conical Cups: Provide excellent sealing characteristics, good support and long wear.
Bypass Ports: These allow some of the flow to bypass through the pig and help minimize solid build up at the front of the pig.
Spring Mounted Brushes: Provide a continuous forceful scraping for removal of rust, scale and other build ups on the wall of the pipe.
Circular Brushes: The brushes are bi-directional and can be stacked for scraping for removal of rust, scale and build-ups.
Pit Boss/Pencil Brush: Scrapes deep into pits to remove build-ups.
Gauge Plate: For discovery of deformities/obstructions in the line, also commonly used prior to ILI runs.
Magnets: Pick up ferrous materials and give indications to loose debris in the line.
Learn more about TDW Pigs and Resources
TDW Pig Resource page.
If you have questions, please contact the Kerr Engineered Sales Company who are also available for team presentations, lunch and learns and customer visits.
Preparing & Filling Unisphere Pigs
In this third episode of Pigging Insights, we cover the steps and guidelines to preparing and filling TDW unisphere pigs. These seamless liquid cast polyurethane balls are designed for removal of liquid hydrocarbons and water as well as batch separation for pipelines handling different liquids.
TDW PIGGING INSIGHTS - Episode 3
Instructions for the preparation and filling of TDW Unisphere Pigs
TDW Unisphere Pig
TDW Unisphere pigs are seamless liquid cast polyurethane balls. They are designed for removal of liquid hydrocarbons and water as well as batch separation for pipelines handling different liquids. Unisphere pigs are hollow, they can be filled with liquid and also be inflated with pressure to match the pipeline’s ID.
Preparation for Use
Unispheres must be filled with liquid before use. Water/glycol or light lube oil solutions are recommended. It is best to avoid using pure glycol as a filling solution. The 4 inch to 8 inch Unispheres have one filling valve. Larger spheres have two valves; either valve can be used. Other components required are an inflating valve, valve core, pipe plug, filling adapter and valve core extractor.
Filling Procedure (not including inflating with pressure)
1. Remove inflating valve with a 3/8 in Allen wrench.
2. Fill sphere with liquid using funnel or hose.
3. The opening must be at the top and sphere completely filled with air displaced. Rolling the sphere slightly around can help to settle liquid and displace air.
4. Inspect O-Ring on inflating valve for nicks and burrs, and replace if necessary. Apply lubricant to O Ring and threads.
5. Remove pipe plug, and check the tightness of valve. A valve core extractor is available.
6. Install inflating valve and tighten securely.
The above steps are a guide designated to be read in conjunction with TDW Unisphere instructions. Download by clicking on the red button.
TDW PIG RESOURCES
Register for TDW’s e-commerce site and quick-ship Pigs.
To learn more about TDW Pigs or find Resource guides, see the TDW Pig Resource page.
If you have questions, please contact the Kerr Engineered Sales Company who are also available for team for presentations, lunch and learns and customer visits.
USE CASE FOR TDW 3-WAY TEE
A gas operator in PA who was building a compressor station needed to tie in a new branch line to an existing 10 inch natural gas gathering line that was running at 950 psi. The customer did not want to leave a buried flanged connection underground that was in the ground.
TDW 3-WAY TEE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR TIE IN
10”x 10” 3-WAY TEE on the main line with sandwich valve
A gas operator in PA who was building a compressor station needed to tie in a new branch line to an existing 10 inch natural gas gathering line that was running at 950 psi. The customer did not want to have a buried flanged connection underground and were proposing to weld on a standard fitting, add a long pup piece to the fitting, attach a ball valve to the pup piece, and then bolt on the new 10 inch line to the valve above ground level. There were challenges in terms of the stack up. One issue was the length of travel that a tapping machine would have to navigate, the line needed a pup piece to be welded on, and the 10 inch main line was pigged and needed to remain so.
As an alternative, the Kerr and TDW specialists recommended to the operator to use a 10 inch by 10 inch Full Encirclement 3-WAY Tee with LOCK-O-RING ® Flange and LOCK-O-RING® Completion plug with flow through pig guide bars. This solution had multiple advantages. It eliminated the need for a long pup piece. There would not be an issue with the length of travel the tapping machine would have to navigate, and the line would remain piggable. The gas operator agreed.
LOR plug with pig flow through guide bars being attached to the tapping machine.
For this project, TDW technicians performed the welding of the 3-Way Tee fitting and the 10 inch branch line to the side outlet of the fitting. The Technicians operated the 10 inch Hot Tap and set the completion plug with the pig guide bars.
The result for the gas operator was a new branch line tied in with the 10 inch main line able to be pigged. This was the end result the customer required.
A successful result with a new branch line and 10” main that can be pigged.
To learn more about TDW Pigs or find Resource guides, see TDW Pig Resource page.
If you have questions, please contact the Kerr Engineered Sales Company who are also available for team for presentations, lunch and learns and customer visits.