Gas transmission network first for STATS' BISEP tools

Pipeline technology seals the deal

STATS Group's BISEP pipeline sealing technology has been used for the first time on a UK onshore gas transmission system.

The BISEP double block and bleed tools are well established as a preferred option on traditional oil and gas pipelines projects but this significant development underlines the potential for widespread adoption on European gas transmission networks.

Natural gas pipeline owner and operator Mutual Energy opted for the BISEP during a project to convert Kilroot power station in Northern Ireland from coal-fired to gas.

A crucial stage of the project required tapping into its Belfast Gas Transmission Pipeline (BGTP) to tie-in a new line and block valve arrangement to provide a gas supply to Kilroot near Belfast. 

The BGTP supplies gas across Northern Ireland to thousands of homes and businesses and by deploying the BISEP it allowed the pipeline tie-in work to be carried out without turning off the gas supply.

STATS' BISEP pipeline sealing technology was deployed in two locations, which allowed a leak-tight isolation to be installed while a live gas feed to Belfast consumers continued through an integrated bypass without interruption.

Aiden Hardy, STATS Group's Regional Business Development Manager, said: "We are delighted with how the job has been executed, with both our tools providing leak-tight, monitored isolations allowing the site works to be undertaken in the safest manner possible, which is exactly what the BISEP is designed to do.

"Our technology has a long-standing track record in the oil and gas industry where we work for the major operators and Tier 1 contractors on complex pipeline isolations, but increasingly our remit involves alternative low carbon fuels.

"We are the first company in the world to hot tap and isolate a high-pressure liquid Co2 pipeline and we are also working with hydrogen blended and full 100% hydrogen systems, so as the gas transmission networks fully engage in energy transition and the switch to a low carbon future, we're ideally placed to support them on that journey."

Mutual Energy Project Engineer, Marcus McFarlane, said: "We needed to introduce a gas supply to Kilroot power station from Belfast's main gas pipeline but without causing any disruption to domestic and business users in Belfast and further afield.

"The only option was to create a bypass while the pipeline was still 'live' and for that we needed the latest technology available and STATS' BISEP system came into its own.

"It is the first time this technology has been used in this way on a UK onshore gas transmission system and it brought a number of considerable benefits, mainly reducing the number of interactions needed with this strategic pipeline, and therefore greatly reducing the risk and the time needed to complete the job."

Aberdeenshire headquartered STATS has an international reputation for providing leak-tight pipeline isolation and intervention tools to the oil and gas sector and is broadening its scope into renewable energies, including CCUS (carbon capture) and hydrogen.

A video explaining the project is available here:  https://youtu.be/QNzq2WIIoWk

About

STATS Group provides specialist engineering services for the maintenance, integrity and repair of oil, gas and petrochemical installations and infrastructure.

STATS have gained an excellent reputation for providing a responsive, client-centred approach combined with expertise and innovative products which enhance safety and environmental performance, reduce system or plant downtime, improve asset performance, and support decommissioning and abandonment.

The group operates from its UK headquarters in Kintore, Aberdeenshire; Edmonton, Canada; Houston, USA; Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar in the Middle East;  Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Perth, Australia and employs 311 people globally.

Website: www.statsgroup.com

Issued on behalf of STATS Group by Sure Public Relations Ltd. For further information please contact Stephen Rafferty on +44 (0)7980 598764 or email stephen@surepr.co.uk