Successfully dewatering a subsea pipeline by use of a mobile nitrogen production spread

Late 2011 Atlas Copco Rental was requested by his customer to supply a mobile Offshore Nitrogen spread to dewater a subsea pipeline owned by the company Chevron. This dewatering activity was one of the final stages putting the Chevron gas production platform in block B13 in operation.

1 mei 2012

Our Atlas Copco Rental Engineers calculated and designed the Nitrogen spread to meet the customer’s specifications. 3 primary air compressors, each giving 28m³/min and 25barg where connected to a mobile Nitrogen generator. This Nitrogen generator was based on the membrane technology and supplied a Nitrogen flow of 42m³/min at 95% purity. Enough fuel needed to be supplied in order to supply compressed air and nitrogen during the complete pigrun. For this reason we supplied 2 x 8000 liter diesel fuel tanks which where according latest requirements for offshore transportation of diesel.

All equipment need to be offshore specification and installed in DNV certified lifting frames. Atlas Copco Rental BV supplied offshore trained and certified technicians to operate the spread. All equipment was transferred to the harbor of Den Helder where it was loaded on a vessel to be transported to block 13. The technicians went by helicopter offshore. The total project inclusive transit, tests, installation, commissioning and operations took more than 3 weeks where the dewatering activity itself only took 13 hours.

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Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and service focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2015, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 102 (BEUR 11) and more than 43 000 employees.

Specialty Rental is a division within Atlas Copco’s Construction Technique business area. It serves customers in the industry segments around the world with temporary air, nitrogen, steam and power rental solutions. The specialty rental services are offered under several brands. The divisional headquarters is located in Houston, USA.