Ideal’s PipeRenew treatment fully restores completely plugged 4-in.,
7,600 ft oil pipeline in only 19 days
Yorktown, Texas, Eagle Ford | Barrett Pipeline ConocoPhillips
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CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
After experiencing high pressures in a Texas oil pipeline, the operator attempted hot-water flushing. This remediation technique failed, and communication was eventually lost. The line had last been pigged in August, 2019. Operating pressure had been between 700-800 psi prior to becoming completely plugged. Based on information about and analysis of the deposition, the pipeline likely contained a significant amount of deposition along its entire horizontal section.
Information Collected by ConocoPhillips and IES During Site Visits:
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- Length of the pipeline was 7,600 feet of 4-inch diameter pipe with a MAOP of 1,440 psi.
- Operations log book for the Barrett line indicated the line had last been pigged in August 2019.
- Reported pipeline operating pressure had been between 700-800 psi prior to losing communication across the line.
- Due to the configuration of the pipeline, we determined that lancing operations would be most effective if conducted from both ends 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
Based on awareness of other successful Ideal’s remediation projects in similar pipeline applications, the operator chose Ideal’s PipeRenew® treatment, the only non-hazardous, environmentally responsible remediation solution that effectively removes paraffin and asphaltenes. The 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.
Prior to establishing full communication, Ideal pumped a total of 93 bbl of PipeRenew® solution into the line. The total capacity of the 4-in. line was 119 bbl. The remediation design called for repeating cycles of pumping treatment fluid, pressuring the line, and allowing it to soak overnight.
PROJECT CHRONOLOGY
Day 1
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- Lanced Barrett end of the Iine to 650 feet.
- Blended 7 bbls of PipeRenew® and backfilled pipeline at Barrett end.
- Blended 10 bbls of PipeRenew® and rigged up pump truck at main field header.
- Pumped with pump truck at main field header.
- Injected 0.4 bbls of PipeRenew®.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.
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Day 2
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- Bled down pipeline and relaxed line at Barrett end.
- Pumped with pump truck at main field header.
- Injected 1.3 bbls of PipeRenew®.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak over the three-day holiday weekend.
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Day 5
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- Lanced a total of 480 feet and backfilled with water.
- Pumped with pump truck at main field header.
- Injected 0.7 bbls of PipeRenew®.
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Day 6
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- Lanced a total of 620 feet (140 bbls of water used).
- Blended 10 bbls of PipeRenew® to send to lance while removing it from the pipeline.
- Injected 9 bbls of PipeRenew® during lance removal.
- Pumped an additional 2.7 bbls of PipeRenew® at main field header.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.
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Day 7
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- Bled down pipeline and relaxed line at Barrett end.
- Pumped 4.9 bbls of PipeRenew® at main field header.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.
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Day 8
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Communication Established
- Bled down pipeline and relaxed line at Barrett end.
- Pumped 2.1 bbls of PipeRenew® at main field header.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.
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Day 12
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Constant Communication Established with Small Traces of Solids
- Bled down pipeline and relaxed line at Barrett end.
- Pumped 4 bbls of PipeRenew® at main field header.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.
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Day 14
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Constant Communication Established with Small Traces of Solids
- Bled down pipeline and relaxed line at Barrett end.
- Documented morning pressures - 600 psi at main field header; 0 psi at Barrett end.
- Pumped 3 bbls of PipeRenew® at main field header.
- Suspended job at 2:00 p.m. due to lightning.
- Pressured up line and allowed it to soak overnight.
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Day 20
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Solids Broke Through and Communication was Strong
- Bled down pipeline and relaxed line at Barrett end.
- Documented morning pressures - 600 psi at main field header; 0 psi at Barrett end.
- Pumped 20 bbls of PipeRenew® at main field header.
- Line broke through with solids flowing strongly.
- Swept line with 250 bbls of water at a rate of 5 bbls per minute.
- Line clean/swept and project closed.
- Visual estimate: 70-80 bbls of solids removed.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE RESULTS
The project was executed as planned, on budget, and ahead of schedule, requiring only 19 days to remediate the completely plugged 7,600-ft line. The line broke through, with solids flowing strongly. An estimated 70-80 bbl of solids was removed. After the line was swept with 250 bbl of water at a rate of 5 bbl/min, it was returned to production personnel, and placed back in 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.