Ideal Energy Solutions Case Studies

Dead Pipeline Restored to Full Flow with PipeRenew®

Written by Ideal Energy Solutions | Apr 5, 2022 6:10:37 PM

Ideal’s PipeRenew® restores oil pipeline with no communication
for more than a month to full flow in only 11 days

  Westhoff, Texas, Eagle Ford | Beveren Pipeline        ConocoPhillips

 

Quickly navigate through this Case Study:

CHALLENGE

RESPONSE

RESULTS

 

CUSTOMER CHALLENGE

Severe plugging was indicated in a 4-in., 6,000 ft oil pipeline that had lost communication for more than a month. Several attempts by field operations personnel to re-establish communication were unsuccessful. On their first attempt, field operators tried pumping chemicals provided by a competing service provider, without success. The pipeline was last pigged in 2018. Reported pipeline operating pressure had been 800-850 psi prior to losing communication.

 

Testing a sample obtained during lancing operations confirmed that the deposition was primarily made up of paraffin wax. Analysis indicated the 4-in. oil pipeline likely contained a significant amount of deposition along its entire horizontal section.

 

Information Collected by ConocoPhillips and IES During Site Visits

    • Length of the pipeline was 6,000 feet of 4-inch diameter pipe with a MAOP of 1,440 psi.
    • Operations log book for the Beveren line indicated the line had last been pigged in August 2018.
    • Reported pipeline operating pressure had been between 800-850 psi prior to losing communication across the line.
    • Due to the configuration of the pipeline, we determined that lancing and pumping operations would be most effective if conducted from the receiving end of the line.
    • A sample of the deposition obtained during the lancing operations was taken to the current chemical provider's laboratory for testing. Testing confirmed the sample provided was primarily made up of paraffin wax.

 

 

IDEAL'S RESPONSE

After performing previous successful PipeRenew® remediations for ConocoPhillips, Ideal was selected for the project. To develop an effective project remediation plan, Ideal personnel reviewed data for other remediation treatments executed in the surrounding geographical area. Due to the configuration of the pipeline, Ideal determined that lancing and pumping operations would be most effective if conducted from the receiving end of the line.

 

Ideal’s PipeRenew® treatment is the only non-hazardous, environmentally responsible remediation solution that effectively removes paraffin and asphaltenes. PipeRenew® treatment reacts with the portion of oil that contributes to the acid value to make a simple soap. This breaks up the paraffin and allows it to be pumped out.

 

PROJECT CHRONOLOGY


Day 1
  • Lanced a total of 550 feet and backfilled with PipeRenew®.
  • Injected a total of 3 bbls of PipeRenew®.
  • Pressured up line and allowed it to soak over the weekend.

...
Day 4
  • Lanced a total of 550 feet and backfilled with PipeRenew®.
  • Injected a total of 3 bbls of PipeRenew®.
  • Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.


Day 5
  • Blended PipeRenew® and pumped 17 bbls until rain started.
  • Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.


Day 6
  • Documented morning pressures - 400 psi at pumping end; 0 psi at receiving end.
  • Injected a total of 3.1 bbls of PipeRenew®.
  • Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.


Day 7
  • Documented morning pressures - 400 psi at pumping end; 0 psi at receiving end.
  • Injected a total of 4.6 bbls of PipeRenew®.
  • Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.


Day 8
  • Documented morning pressures - 800 psi at pumping end; 600 psi at receiving end.
  • Injected a total of 3.1 bbls of PipeRenew®.
  • Experienced solids and minimal liquids at receiving end.
  • Suspended job at 2:00 p.m. due to inclement weather.
  • Pressured up line and allowed it to soak over the weekend.

...
Day 11
  • Documented morning pressures - 1,150 psi at pumping end; 1,000 psi at receiving end.
  • Injected a total of 25 bbls of PipeRenew®, for a cumulative total of 58.8 bbls.
  • Paraffin broke through around 5:00 p.m.
  • Swept line with 130 bbls of water at a rate of 5.5 bbls per minute.
  • Verified line was cleared and rigged down operations.
  • Job completed.

 


 

HIGH PERFORMANCE RESULTS

Prior to establishing full communication, Ideal pumped a total of 58.8 bbl of PipeRenew® solution into the line, over 11 days. The total capacity of the 4-in. line was only 90 bbl, so this indicated the line contained 75 bbl of paraffin solids, which was consistent with the amount of paraffin material collected during the treatment process.

 

After the paraffin broke through, the line was swept with 130 bbl of water, at a rate of 5.5 bbl/min, to verify the line was cleared. The line was then returned to full service.

 

 

 

For more information about how non-hazardous, environmentally
responsible PipeRenew® remediation treatment can cost-effectively
remove paraffin and asphaltenes from your pipeline,
contact your Ideal Energy Solutions representative today.

 

 
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