WEKO Seal Removal

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Cadent Gas

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 January 2015

01 January 2016

14 months

£26,400

Energy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

Project Contact, tRIIO (a partnership between Skanska and Morrison Utility Services)

Trial the WSR900 on London’s Medium Pressure Network replacement scheme. Remove the need for a human to enter the pipe to extract WEKO seals. Increase in safety of our operatives when undertaking replacement activities where WEKO seals have been previously installedFeedback from trial participants and stakeholders is positive. Unit is capable of extracting more WEKO seals than current methodUnit is successful at removing 36inch WEKO seals and returning them to the launch pit. Reduce operational injuries and increase ease of use. Reduce costs and improvements to operational efficiencies.

Current methods for removing WEKO seals involve human interaction and exposing humans to potential dangerous confined environments. Specialist contractors are used to enter the gas mains deep below the ground and remove the seals by hand. This process takes time, is expensive and creates unnecessary risk to enable large diameter gas pipes to be replaced. This product potentially allows for WEKO seals to be removed without the need for human risk exposure within the confined spaces of the metallic mains. It is proposed to develop the WEKO seal removal unit to cater for 36 inch mains and then undertake controlled site trials to assess the safety, practicality and cost benefits associated compared to the current best practice.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

17/12/18