Pipeline Crawlers
PIGGING THE UNPIGGABLE
Key Points
Pipecrawlers has developed a range of tethered intervention crawler tools that are designed
to access pipeline systems (SCR, Rigid and Flexible) currently considered to be unpiggable.
CAPABILITY
• Patented ‘Brush Drive’ technology
Reasons for a pipeline to be classified as unpiggable includes the following:
• Single entry and recovery point
• Single access point only
• Fully bi-directional travel
• Can operate ‘with’ or ‘against’ the flow
• Can operate in ‘no flow’
• Can stop at any point in the pipeline system
• ‘Low’ or ‘no’ flow
• Pipeline ends in a ‘tee’ section
• Pipeline bore dimension changes
• Non full bore valves fitted
• Multi tonne pulling capacity
• Multiple 3D bend passing
• Powered deployment and powered recovery
• Onboard ethernet and canbus networks
• Onboard internal and external
temperature sensors
• Onboard internal and external pressure sensors
Modular Brush Drive
• 10km + excursion range in dry gas pipelines
• 15km + excursion range in fluid filled pipelines
• Variable speeds from 0 to 900 metres / hour
• Pressure withstand up to 300 bar
• Power and communication via tether
• ‘Live’ operational positional and onboard
(ILI) sensor display
Pipeline intervention crawler tools have been
developed by Pipecrawlers as a versatile
and sophisticated ‘delivery system’ able
to transport existing established pipeline
technologies such as MFL and UT sensors
into unpiggable pipelines.
• Emergency recovery via tether
APPLICATIONS
• Accessing unpiggable pipelines
• Pipeline cleaning
- Brush
- Jetting
- Chemical
• ILI Inspection
- MFL
- UT
- Eddy current
- EMAT
- EMIT
Pipecrawlers are making the intervention
crawler delivery system available to their
clients, who are then free to select which
technology or complimentary combinations
of technologies they wish to have integrated
within the modular tool layout for each
specific application they have. In the event
that a client has no particular preference
regarding technology supplier, Pipecrawlers
will provide a recommendation. Integration of both established and new
pipeline inspection and intervention
technologies into the range of crawlers will
be carried out by Pipecrawlers in partnership
with the client and technology provider.
During operations Pipecrawlers will be
responsible for insertion of the tool into the
pipeline and pilot the tool to pre-determined
excursion ranges or to specific locations.
Data collection and analysis will be the
responsibility of the inspection technology
provider.
• Stuck pig removal
• Flange testing
• Plug setting
• Hydro testing
• Visual inspection
- Camera
• Pipeline gauging, mapping and data
collection
- Laser
- Sonar
- Inertial navigation
- Temperature profiling
- Pressure profiling
- Dynamic motion
• Pipeline repair system
All Electric Drive
Multiple Drive Modules
Pipeline Crawlers
Typical ILI Package
Unlike conventional pigging which relies
on differential pressure to generate the
necessary forces to move the pig, the
Pipecrawlers intervention tool uses ‘brush
drive’ units powered by electric linear drive
motors. The ‘brush drive’ and suspension
system enables tools to generate multi tonne pulling forces without fully occluding
the pipeline and this allows product to flow in either direction whilst the tool travels to its planned excursion range or pre-determined location.
The ability to pass through product with its
own onboard power and high levels of grip
make the ‘brush drive’ technology ideal for
accessing pipelines currently classified as
unpiggable. The ‘brush drive’ and suspension
system makes the Pipecrawlers intervention
tool truly bi-directional giving it the ability to
access a pipeline from a single location.
Motion, control and data transmission is
managed from a topside console via an
umbilical tether which enables the tool to be
run at any speed from zero to maximum. The
ability of the crawler to stop and secure itself
in position anywhere in a pipeline (including
risers) is particularly useful for many
intervention and inspection tasks.
PULLING CAPACITY
Camera / Sonar Unit
6” - 10” tools
Drive and Suspension Brushes
Using conventional ILI inspection techniques
inside unpiggable pipelines requires the
pipelines to be clean and the Pipecrawlers
intervention tool is ideally suited to this task.
By incorporating the speed control and the
product flow bypass capability of the tool,
controlled quantities of pipewall deposits
can be removed and progressively released
into the product flow whilst the pipeline is
still producing. Once clean the intervention
crawler can return to the launch position
and have a modular ILI package fitted to
complete an inspection run.
10” - 20” tools
20” - 36” tools
36” - 60” tools
Continous Motion
Up to 1.2 tonnes
2.4 tonnes
4.8 tonnes
9.6 tonnes
Cyclic Motion
Up to 2.4 tonnes
4.8 tonnes
9.6 tonnes
19.2 tonnes
SPEED
PRESSURE
Standard
0-450 metres per hour
Low Pressure Rated
50 bar
High Speed
0-900 metres per hour
High Pressure Rated
300 bar
Crawler performance and range is subject to pipeline operating conditions and geometry.
Intelligent Intervention Crawler Train
6 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1YH
For more information contact: Keith Swinden • keith.swinden@genesisoilandgas.com
Switchboard: +44 (0)1224 615100 • Direct: +44 (0)1224 615175 • Mobile: +44 (0) 7890 535099
Subsea Integrity Group Ltd trading as Pipecrawlers