Efficiency case studies

Lokring – Retaining Non-Hazardous Areas without Welding

6 June 2017

Submitted by Tom Brown, Technical Sales Manager.

Problem statement

  • A Northern North Sea asset had to replace a 2’’ stainless steel fuel gas system which ran through both hazardous and non-hazardous areas.
  • The system therefore had to be ‘fully welded’.
  • The only way they could do this under traditional methods was to weld the pipe on the platform.
  • This was not possible due to the spacing restrictions in this instance.

Aims

  • To replace the system as a fully welded one so the non-hazardous areas could remain this way, without actually welding on site.

 

Method

  • The operator had used Lokring before on fuel gas, but was not sure if it could be used on a fully welded system in a non-hazardous area without reclassifying the area as hazardous, as would have to be done when installing a flange.
  • To get confirmation, the operator contracted Xodus to carry out a study on whether a Lokring coupling could be used in this situation while maintaining the non-hazardous area classification.

Impact

  • The findings of the report confirm that;
  • ‘There is strong, well-supported justification for the use of LOKRING fittings in place of welded connections on the fuel gas system located in a non-hazardous area. The work completed for this study is judged to have suitably justified weld-equivalence for LOKRING fittings in non-hazardous areas, which by inference facilitates the support of their use in hazardous areas also.’

How does this relate to the Oil and Gas industry?

  • Traditionally, when installing fully welded pipework, the only option in non hazardous areas of a platform have been to weld on site.
  • This takes time, involves hot work permits, welders, habitats, fire watch and there is always the safety risk welding on site
  • This study has now provided another option to welding fully welded systems, while at the same time being quicker, safer and more cost effective.

 


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