By Dan Wallington , SMV Pipeline Inspection PM
Intelligent Pigging project at OPF.
During the recent Intelligent Pigging project, we received some extremely valuable, emergency assistance from SNGS personnel at the OPF Machine Shop.
In fact, it's safe to say we would not have completed the re-run of the 48" Smart Pig from the OPF to BS-2 in 2009 without it.
Our thanks and appreciation go out to Viktor Ulitskiy and Andrey Duyunov. It is my pleasure to describe their contributions.
Viktor creatively designed and fashioned a new "bushing", made of bronze, to replace a bearing which self-destructed during the shipment of the pig up the Island.
This bearing was a component on the pig's all-important transportation frame - needed to calibrate the pig prior to launch. A replacement bearing had been sent to us by the vendor (three weeks in arriving), but was the wrong size. Viktor's bushing worked perfectly, carrying the weight of the pig and allowing for smooth pig rotation during calibration of its internal electronics and gyro unit. No small task, given that the pig weighed over 4,000kg.
We asked Viktor for help the afternoon prior to the scheduled launch and he presented us with the bushing at 7:00am the next morning. The launch was delayed due to other factors, but the pig was ready.
When it was determined we should find a way to separate the hydraulic ram from its mounting rack and diesel-engine driven power unit, we once again visited the machine shop. This time we met Andrey. (The ram is used for the dis-agreeable task of pushing the large, heavy, magnet-covered pig into the launcher.) In short order, Andrey studied the equipment, the pig trap site with all its obstacles and asked questions about the application. Then he went to the drawing board. When we first saw his plans, we were skeptical, but decided to trust him because of his confidence and enthusiasm.
The day of the launch, Andrey had long-since constructed the "rack" and was there with us to put it in place. It fit perfectly between the concrete pedestals of the pig trap's tray supports and used those pedestals and supports for its own support. The rack not only allowed the ram to be mounted with rigidity and strength, but also had vertical adjustments so the ram's push poles could be centered on the rear of the pig or the tray. This gave us pushing options that proved to be invaluable.
Given their experience, abilities, tenacity, creativity and professionalism, working with Viktor and Andrey was an absolute joy.
We would also like to thank the supervisors and other management who allowed these admirable men to work with us.
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Viktor Ulitskiy | Andrey Duyunov |
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By Kirill Yarichin, Deputy Site Manager LNG
First modification of industrial pipeline metering station at LNG/OET, Prigorodnoye.
Kirill Yarichin, Deputy Site Manager LNG
Кирилл Яричин, Зам. сайт-менеджера |
SNGS had a good opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities related to important piping modification that needed to be urgently carried out.
In the course of work preparation the central office Contract Department carried out strategic work on signing contracts with contracting organizations Daewoo, DEM, Techinkom, Cape, S-control and material suppliers.
Significant credit in this work is due to the Manager of the Department, Elena Gremblat.
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Work was carried out on 750 mm diameter piping and included disassembly of equipment, installation of additional flanges, carrying out all NDE inspection followed by hydrotesting. Parallel to that, work was carried out on insulation, scaffolding and painting. Total amount of personnel involved made up more than 60 people. The team has demonstrated their capability to complete the task, mutual assistance and understanding while working in this international group. Substantial contribution to the mechanical work was made by certified specialists Leonod Mandrosov and Vladimir Korotkevich. The rest of the mechanical team obtained practical knowledge on bolt tensioning using specialized equipment and were later certified for this type of work. Lifting operations were carried out using safe methods under the attentive supervision of John Percival. Due to tight schedule part of the work had to be done at night.
All necessary permits with risk assessment development were done by the team of people supervised by Alexander Lartsev with participation of Gennady Efanov and Sergey Tsaregorodsev.
In total, 2936 manhours were worked at the site without lost time. One hundred and sixty hours, i.e. a month of this time Igor Popylyaev, HSES Manager, worked at the site. He carried out toolbox talks for personnel, monitored safety of operations and took part in certain industrial tasks together with other employees.
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Bolt tensioning work. Mechanicals Leonid Mandrosov and Vladimir Korotkevich | Lifting operations on valve installation. Riggers Igor Verbilo and Igor Derbishev |
Работы по затяжке болтовых соединений. Механики Леонид Мандросов и Владимир Короткевич | Выполнение грузоподъемных работ по установке клапана. Стропальщики Игорь Вербило и Игорь Дербышев. |
On behalf of SNGS we want to express a separate gratitude to SEIC specialists, Chee-Ming Cheong and Colin Sawdon for constant support during this reconstruction.
Good work of SNGS company on this project will allow SEIC to start planned oil export on schedule. At this time personnel is busy with preparations to the new scope of work on gas pipeline modification at the LNG site.