Freezing system plugs pipeline segments for repair

Journal Article · Mon Nov 30 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:7026157

This paper reports that Sarnia Products Pipe Line, Waterdown, Ont., a division of Imperial Oil Ltd., Toronto, recently located a pipeline leak in a 35-mile section between pumping stations by using a freezing tool to isolate sections of the line. This approach saved the time and money usually required if a line is cut and hydrostatically tested to find a leak. The traditional method of cutting sections of the line and testing was rejected by Sarnia personnel as too time consuming and expensive. Instead, they chose a system called Ice-o-lator offered by Sealtec Ltd., Burlington, Ont. This system temporarily closes down a line by forming an ice plug at any desired location without cutting or breaking into the line. Operators fit a special chamber over the pipe at a selected location and circulate liquid nitrogen between the chamber wall and the pipe.

• OSTI ID: 7026157
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 90:48; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
022000* -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
42 ENGINEERING
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
DISTILLATES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASOLINE
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAK TESTING
LIQUID FUELS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
PETROLEUM FRACTIONS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PIPELINES
REPAIR
TESTING
WELLS