Spool Protection

During pipeline construction or maintenance, new or replacement spools are often installed and connected subsea. These spools are typically pre-filled with glycol, transported offshore, and lowered to the seabed by crane. Once in position, the end caps are removed and the spool is connected.

However, as soon as the caps are removed, seawater can enter the spool, creating a significant corrosion risk. At the same time, glycol or other internal fluids may be discharged into the marine environment, which is not considered best practice. The same considerations apply to existing pipelines, where hydrocarbon contents must be isolated to protect both divers and the environment.

SANCCUS provides field-proven gel-based solutions that create a stable barrier, enabling safer, cleaner, and more controlled subsea operations.

Case History

A UK offshore 8" condensate pipeline was due for replacement. Our environmental barrier enabled the divers to safely cut out the affected section of pipeline.

SANCCUS Solutions

SANCCUS offer a selection of Gels based on monoethylene glycol, with exceptionally high static gel strengths that allow them to act as semi-solid plugs at each end of the spool. Once in place, it prevents seawater from entering the spool when the end caps are removed, protecting the spool from corrosion and contamination. We supply formulations tailored for either horizontal or vertical orientations, depending on when each end cap is removed.

These same Gels perform a dual function: they displace hydrocarbons away from the repair location and form an environmental barrier to prevent flowback, making this the safest and most cost-effective method for performing repairs, such as replacing a damaged valve.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Pipelines Range

Gel technology is very versatile and can be applied anytime during the lifetime of a field from helping to remove hydrotest fluids when commissioning to the bulk removal of hydrocarbons and solids prior to maintenance or when preparing a pipeline for responsible decommissioning.

Glycosol Gel

GlycoSol Gel is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel based on a mixture of Monoethylene Glycol and Butyl Glycol. It is lighter than seawater so when a spool is hoisted over the edge of a vessel to just below the water level for the flange caps to be removed it will remain in place in a vertical orientation.

Glycostat Gel

Glycostat Gel is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel based on monoethylene glycol. The viscosity profile of Glycostat Gel has been specifically designed to have an extremely high viscosity at low shear rates and a high static gel strength.

Glycotrace Clear

Glycotrace Clear is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel based on monoethylene glycol. Strong & slump resistant fluorescent gel which glows green under UV light, making it visible by diver or ROV for leak detection in the subsea environment.

Glycotrace Gel

Glycotrace Gel is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel based on monoethylene glycol. Strong & slump resistant gel coloured in pink, making it visible by diver or ROV for leak detection in the subsea environment.

Mezzo Gel

Mezzo Gel is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel designed to be neutrally buoyant in seawater. The blend is adjusted by our technical team to maintain this neutral density at different seabed temperatures.

Mezzolube D

Mezzolube D is a dyed non-crosslinked pipeline gel with added lubricant designed to be neutrally buoyant in seawater. It significantly reduces friction pressure and thereby increases pump throughput compared to standard glycol based gels.

Mezzolube Gel

Mezzolube Gel is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel with added lubricant designed to be neutrally buoyant in seawater. It significantly reduces friction pressure and thereby increases pump throughput compared to standard glycol based gels.

Mezzotrace

MezzoTrace is a non-crosslinked pipeline gel with added trace dye, designed to be neutrally buoyant and UV visible in seawater. The blend is adjusted by our technical team to maintain this neutral density at different seabed temperatures.

Nautilus Pig

Nautilus Pig is a highly flexible, neutrally buoyant, elastic solid gel pig with shape memory, used to protect flexible ends from seawater ingress during vertical subsea flexible riser installations.

Triton Pig

Triton Pig is a patented chemical pig which is 100% soluble in water leaving no reside or other deposit (Patent No:2568045). It was designed for spool filling applications where it is used to push out the gas ahead of the filling medium but unlike a gel pig or foam pig it can be left in the spool where it will dissolve.