Ideal Energy Solutions Case Studies

PipeRenew® Clears a Complete Flowline Blockage After Other Methods Failed

Written by Ideal Energy Solutions | Jun 5, 2023 3:20:37 PM

Ideal's PipeRenew® treatment unplugs flow line blockage,
being successful after other methods failed.

  Singer, Louisiana        ORX Resources, LLC

 


 

IDEAL'S RESPONSE

Flowline Details

  • Line Type: Poly Pipe
  • Size: 3 inches
  • Volume: 22.6 bbls 
  • Length: 2,600 feet

Equipment Rig-Up

  • HP 950 chemical injection pump
  • 300-gallon blending tote tank
  • High-pressure pumping hose package 
  • 210-cfm air compressor
  • 2" diaphragm pumps
  • Toolbox 
Safety is our No. 1 Priority

Deployed Think Incident Free (TIF) planning to ensure the work could be completed incident free. Conduced daily JSA and tailgate meetings to communicate the work to be performed and the possible hazards associated with the job. 

IES Treatment Recommendation
We recommend to confirm the tie-in point, verify current line pressure and MAOP, rig up and test all necessary equipment. Mix PipeRenew® solution at 5% concentration and start injecting PipeRenew® into the line while monitoring pressures and signs of communication. Allow PipeRenew® solution to dwell in the line until a drop in pressure has been achieved.

NOTE: A drop in pressure indicates the plugged material has been penetrated or released, and additional amounts of PipeRenew® will be added to continue the process. 

Continue to treat the line with PipeRenew® until full communication has been established between the tie-in point and receiving points. Once full communication has been established, perform high-rate water sweep to flush the line clean. 


 

HIGH PERFORMANCE RESULTS

IES Treatment Summary

  • Line was plugged for eight weeks with two prior attempts failed: first attempt with hot oil and second attempt with pressure pumping.
  • Full communication was established after 4 days. 
  • 20 bbls of paraffin solids and sludge were removed from the 3-inch line. 
  • Project completed incident free (IFO).

IES administered a total of 6.25 bbls of 5% PipeRenew® in the 3-inch line before full communication was established. IES pressured the line overnight allowing the PipeRenew® solution to navigate through the tight cracks and crevices in the deposit, and between the deposit and pipe wall until communication was established. Full communication was established after 4 days. 

A total of 20 bbls of paraffin solids were recovered and the line was put back in service. An additional 7 bbls of PipeRenew® were pumped along with 25.7 bbls of fresh water to flush the line free of paraffin solids after the plug broke free. The 3-inch poly pipe oil line contained a significant amount of paraffin deposition. The exact number of plugs or complete blockages preventing communication is unknown. Based on the fact that there were multiple pressure drops throughout the pumping process, the line most likely contained multiple plugs throughout. 

The results of this project clearly show the effectiveness of PipeRenew® -- the only non-hazardous, environmentally-responsible solution for cleaning pipelines and flowlines. 


 

 

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.