Foam Annular Sealant for Keyhole

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
SGN

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 January 2019

01 January 2020

ENA months

£84,560

Energy

South East

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SGN

This project aims to develop a method for applying foam within the annular space between the inserted PE pipe and metallic main. Once the foam system has been developed prototypes will be manufactured for inhouse testing. Following successful inhouse testing preparation for field trials will be made to trial the system in a live environment.After all trials have been completed a final project report will be created. The project will involve working along with Steve Vick International (SVI) for the development and technical evaluation of the equipment. The aim of this project is to develop a foam technology to seal the annular space between the PE and metallic mains. The developed technique will be capable of being applied from outside the excavation using long handled tooling, with the option to apply from inside the excavation by the operative.This will involve carrying out inhouse testing and field trials to demonstrate the suitability of the developed foam technology. The objectives of this project are to: Develop annular sealant product approved against existing sealant standards GIS/LC14:2009. Inhouse testing of annular sealant product and delivery method to prove against existing sealant standards GIS/LC14:2009. Produce report detailing the findings of the concept design and inhouse testing. Delivery of detailed work instructions report. Complete SGN/PM/G/23 document alongside field trials. Carry out field trials as required as part of the SGN/PM/G/23 document to prove field readiness. Produce report detailing the findings of the field trial. Delivery of final project report.

Foam sealing is a required process in the gas industry when replacing metallic mains with PE pipe. During the insertion process PE pipe is inserted through the live or dead metallic mains. The annular gap is created between the two pipes through the insertion process which must be closed before the excavation can be reinstated. This requirement is to prevent issues such as soil backfilling into the annular space and to avoid gas leaks from travelling along the annular space.There are a number of techniques and methods currently in place to close the annular space, however these require several personnel, take a long time to apply, and can expose the operative to harmful chemicals in a confined space and be quite expensive for such a high volume stock item.This project aims to develop a method for applying foam within the annular space between the inserted PE pipe and metallic main. Once the foam system has been developed prototypes will be manufactured for inhouse testing. Following successful inhouse testing preparation for field trials will be made to trial the system in a live environment.

09/11/22