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Hot Tapping Services

Wellube provides a complete bespoke package for your hot tap requirements - from designing, manufacturing and installation of the fittings on the system to performing the intervention.

Preserve pipeline integrity & avoid downtime with Wellube’s Hot Tapping Services - the industry’s most trusted service provider.

Hot tapping, commonly referred to as pressure tapping, is a way to attach to a pressurised system, like a pipeline or pressure vessel, without taking the pipe or tank out of operation (either through drilling or cutting). This keeps operations going while preventing expensive and potentially dangerous environmental concerns.

Installing connections to pipes while they are still in use is known as “hot tapping.” It is frequently used in the context of welding for any welding onto equipment that is already in use. The hot tapping process is often used to add branches to an existing system or to repair mechanically damaged or corrosion-damaged areas. Executing this welding without taking a pipe out of operation and potentially releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as methane, has clear economic and environmental benefits.

Using computer heat flow modelling methodologies and flow loops, safe hot tap welding procedures can be developed. This strategy includes matching and controlling the cooling capacity of the live pipeline, which may be measured.

Our hot tapping services are effective and uphold the highest performance standards.

Oil and gas, power, and utility pipeline maintenance industries hire Wellube to establish requirements, evaluate proposals, manage projects, and provide technical consultancy. We can offer specialized applications as part of our hot tapping service.

A connection to a piping system or a vessel can be formed using our specialized hot tapping equipment without shutting down or interrupting operations.

On the majority of pipe types, from carbon steel to GRE, hot tapping services can be carried out without risk. They can be performed on systems with pressures up to 1000 PSIG @ 100°F and contain fuel, steam, water, oil, gas, and many other line mediums.

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Hot tapping services

Specifications

  • Capability to hot tap lines from 0.5″ to 48″ in diameter
  • Hot tapping lines with temperatures from cryogenic to 1,350°F (400°C)
  • Hot tapping lines with pressures from atmospheric to 1,000 PSIG (69 bar)
  • Line materials: Asbestos-cement, stainless steel, carbon steel, ductile iron
  • Line medium: Crude oil, gasoline, water, steam, natural gas, wastewater
Hot tapping services

Applications

Beyond the addition of new branch connections to your piping, our hot tap services can also be applied for other purposes, such as:

  • Product sampling point
  • Flow meter installation
  • Draining of pipelines
  • Pressure control switch installation
  • Pipeline inspection
  • Determine product in a pipeline
  • Air relief point

Hot Tapping Procedure at Wellube

A connection to a piping system or a vessel can be formed using our distinctive line of specialised hot-tapping equipment without shutting down or interrupting production.

On the majority of pipe types, from carbon steel to GRE, hot tapping services can be carried out without risk. They can be performed on systems with pressures up to 1000 PSIG @ 100°F and contain fuel, steam, water, oil, gas, and many other line mediums.

Line Material
  • Stainless steel
  • Asbestos
  • Carbon Steel
  • Ductile Iron
Line Medium
  • Crude oil
  • Gasoline
  • Water
  • Steam
  • Natural Gas
  • Wastewater

A tapping saddle, ball or gate valve, and hot tapping machine make up a standard hot tap installation. The cutter and pilot drill are progressed, the valve is opened, and the installation is pressure checked. The Hot Tap Machine is withdrawn after the cut is finished, the cutter and pilot drill is retracted, and the valve is shut.

Our pipeline and hot-tapping services utilise the most cutting-edge coupon retention technology. When a Hot Tap is carried out, the double-wired pilot drill holds onto the coupon for later recovery.
Hot Tap capabilities of Wellube

  • A line from 0.5″ to 48″ in diameter
  • Temperatures from cryogenic to 1350F.
  • Pressures from atmospheric to 1000 psig

There are further uses for our hot tap services.

  • Product sampling point.
  • Flow metre installation
  • Draining of pipelines
  • Pressure control switch installation
  • Determine product in a pipeline
  • Air relief point
  • Pipeline inspection

We at Wellube can connect to your system in a variety of ways. To finish your connection in the fastest time feasible, you can also use angle taps, valveless connections, long-travel taps, and other hot-tapping techniques. Our machinery is built to endure high operating pressures, chilly temperatures, and challenging working conditions.

Remarks before making a Hot Tap

  • Hot taps should only be used when there is no other viable option; they should not be utilised often.
  • Hot Taps must be placed by skilled and knowledgeable teams.
  • It should be highlighted that hot tapping of sour gas lines offers unique metallurgical and health risks and should only be carried out according to written operating company-approved guidelines.
  • The pipe that is sawed or drilled for each hot tap must have a sufficient wall thickness, which can be assessed using ultrasonic thickness gauges. The actual thickness of the pipe wall must at least match the thickness needed for pressure, plus a sufficient thickness allowance for welding. The risk of loss of containment at the weld pool exists if the actual thickness is only marginally greater than the thickness necessary for pressure.
  • To ensure the integrity of welds when pipelines are operating at full pressure and under full flow circumstances, welding on in-service pipelines involves developing weld process and qualification, as well as highly trained personnel.

When to use Hot Tapping?

Hot tapping is a technique to join a branch connection to a pipeline without depressurizing it or interfering with regular operations. The method is also utilised to isolate pipe segments for maintenance by stopping or plugging the line. Line tapping, pressure tapping, pressure cutting, and side cutting are also used to describe hot tapping.

The advantage of hot tapping is that it enables pipeline owners and operators to isolate and bypass pipeline portions for maintenance or when adding a new section of the pipeline without having to shut down their entire system, halt production, and incur expensive downtime. Use of a hot tap while.

Hot tapping in piping is a significant procedure that can be dangerous if carried out incorrectly. Because of this, we advise only utilising a hot tap if there is no other way to complete repairs or build a new pipeline branch; it is impracticable to shut down the entire system or both. You can use hot tapping after evaluating and eliminating all other possibilities.

Benefits of Hot Tapping

Using a hot tap instead of a system shutdown has several financial and environmental advantages. Hot tapping doesn’t waste gas, interfere with customer service, or release dangerous gases into the atmosphere. Additionally, you can decrease costs associated with organising and planning a full system or section shutdown, as well as the time-consuming cutting, realigning, and re welding of pipeline sections.

Why Wellube is the Go-To Provider of Hot Tapping Services: Unmatched Expertise and Commitment to Safety

Due to its years of experience and expertise in this field, Wellube provides some of the top hot-tapping services in the business. Safety and dependability are crucial regarding hot tapping, and Wellube is aware of this. The skilled engineers and experts at Wellube make use of cutting-edge tools and methods to guarantee that every hot tapping project is completed in a secure, effective, and to the highest standards manner. Additionally, Wellube provides specialised solutions that may be tailored to a project’s specifications, guaranteeing the project’s success.

Furthermore, Wellube offers many applications for its hot-tapping services, including pipelines, tanks, vessels, and other complex systems. Wellube’s hot-tapping services are created to reduce downtime, save expenses, and improve the performance of your operations with an emphasis on safety and efficiency.

To keep its engineers and employees up to date with the latest industry standards and best practices, Wellube also provides extensive training and certification programs. This dedication to training and development ensures that Wellube’s hot-tapping crew can always provide clients with top-notch services.

FAQ’s

The benefits of Hot Tapping include reduced downtime and cost savings. Hot Tapping allows pipeline modification and repair activities to be performed while the pipeline is still in operation, which eliminates the need for costly shutdowns. It also reduces the risk of contamination and minimizes the environmental impact of pipeline maintenance.

Hot Tapping can be performed on a wide range of pipes and materials, including Carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, PVC, HDPE, GRP, and other non-ferrous materials.

The maximum pressure and temperature that can be hot tapped depend on various factors such as pipe material, line medium temperature, and pressure, as well as the type of tapping equipment used. Generally, Hot Tapping can be performed on pipelines with pressures up to 1000 psi / 70 Barg and temperatures up to 370 °C.

Safety is of utmost importance when performing a Hot Tap. The work should be executed by fully trained and competent personnel, applying the relevant codes and standards, following work specific procedures, use of proper safety equipment, and carefully monitoring pressure and temperature during the tapping process.

The duration of a Hot Tap depends on various factors such as pipe diameter, material, and thickness, as well as the type of tapping equipment used. Generally, a Hot Tap can be performed within a few hours to a day.

The Hot Tap procedure involves the following steps:

  • Preparation of the pipeline and the tapping equipment
  • Installation of the proposed branch and the tapping valve on the pipeline
  • Pressure testing to Verify the integrity of the new branch joint & hot tapping machine.
  • Drilling a hole online into the pipeline through the valve
  • Retrieval of the coupon (cut-out section) of the pipeline
  • Installation of the new branch connection

The equipment required includes a tapping machine, tapping valve, machine adaptor, pilot drill, tapping cutter, pressure gauges, and other specialized tools and equipmen.

The integrity of the pipeline before a Hot Tap is performed can be ensured through various methods such as pressure testing, NDT inspection, and monitoring of the pipeline for leaks or other abnormalities.

Yes, Hot Tapping can be performed on live pipelines, as it allows pipeline maintenance and repair activities to be performed without the need for a shutdown.

The cost of Hot Tapping services varies depending on various factors such as branch size, parent pipe diameter, material, and thickness, as well as the complexity of the job. Wellube provides customized quotes based on the specific needs of each client.

Wellube provides a warranty on its Hot Tap services, which covers defects in materials and workmanship for a specific period. The warranty terms and conditions vary depending on the specific service and scope of work.

Wellube's technicians have decades of experience performing the Hot Tapping services across industries ranging from oil and gas, petrochemical, utilities, and construction. They have handled very complex projects to simple hot taps- all with the same efficiency and eye for safety.

The lead time for scheduling a Hot Tap service varies depending on various factors such as the availability of equipment, the complexity of the tapping job, and the workload of the service provider. Wellube provides customized scheduling based on the specific needs of each client.

Hot Tapping services are used in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, water treatment, power generation, and industrial manufacturing. These industries rely on pipelines to transport fluids and gases, and Hot Tapping provides a safe and cost-effective method for modifying and repairing their pipelines without the need for shutdowns.

Why choose Wellube?

Take advantage of our abundance of expertise if you are planning a project but are unsure on how to best complete it. Together, we can deliver creative and economical hot tapping services that meet your needs.

We at Wellube can integrate with your system in a variety of ways and finish your connection in the fastest time feasible, Our equipment is built to endure challenging working conditions.

FAQ's

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