Spool Protection

During pipeline construction or maintenance it is common to install new or replacement pipeline spools which are connected subsea. These spools are typically prefilled with glycol and brought out on vessel then are lower to the seabed by crane where the end caps are removed and the spools connected. As soon as the caps are removed this allows seawater to flood into the spool which is a clear corrosion risk as well as ejecting the glycol contents to the sea which is a poor environmental practise.

SANCCUS SOLUTIONS

SANCCUS offer a selection of barrier gels based on Monoethylene Glycol which have super high static gel strengths which allow them to acts as semi solid plugs at each end of the spool. With the gel in place the seawater is prevented from entering the spool when the caps are removed so the client’s spool is protected. We offer gels which can do this in both a horizontal and vertical orientation depending on when the end caps are removed.

The same principle has also been applied in the North Sea during pipeline maintenance. If the client needs to make a repair on a pipeline such as changing out a damaged valve they must ensure that the hydrocarbon contents of the line are removed and kept away from the divers. These same gels perform the dual function of pushing the hydrocarbon away from the repair location and then they form an environmental barrier to prevent flowback making this the safest and most cost effective method to make such repairs.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Triton Pig

Triton Pig is a unique chemical pig which is 100% soluble in water leaving no reside or other deposit. 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.