November 13, 2024

Temporary Pipeline Construction Projects: It’s Time to Winterize

Temporary Pipeline Construction Projects: It’s Time to Winterize

In some parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio temperatures are dipping into near-freezing at night, especially at higher elevations. Winter will be here before long.

With temporary pipeline construction projects, anytime there is potential for temperatures to fall below 32^oF it’s time to winterize. Waiting until there’s frost on the ground or snow in the air is too late. By that time water may be frozen throughout various parts of the transfer system, and that’s a problem.  If water doesn’t flow, the entire operation is held up. Standby time and equipment down time is lost time, and that can be expensive.

To manage continuous, temporary water operations in winter conditions, here  are key steps to take help keep water flowing.

First, consider designing temporary pipeline set ups that don’t require line pigging

Temporary pipeline construction that sets up temporary water lines (TWLs) in a way that dewatering the TWL will not involve the use of pigging operations is optimal for winter conditions. Line pigging is typically used as a last-resort for winterization and dewatering of temporary pipelines.

Why is this a goal? Because, the job is to keep the water flowing. Line pigging can come with operational risk, if not managed properly.

Bottom line: the use of pigging for dewatering a TWL that needs to operate in winter conditions should only be conducted when no other alternatives are available.

A winterization check list for temporary pipeline construction sites/projects

• Pumps
  • Wrap pump ends with glycol and cover areas wrapped with glycol hoses with heat-retaining materials, like tarps or concrete blankets
  • Use fuel additives, at proper mixtures, to prevent fuel from gelling
  • Start pumps and allow them to run for at least 10 minutes prior to starting pumping operations to allow for a proper warm up before water is re-introduced. Primary pumps for 24/7 transfer lines should be started and run for 10 minutes every hour.
  • Redundancy is key! All pump locations should have plumbed in pump redundancy and redundant pumps also need to run for 10 minutes every hour.

• Above ground tanks
  • Install glycol heaters or forced hot air heaters to prevent water from freezing, in cases where the water might be still for extended periods of time
  • Make sure the capacity of onsite tanks is at least 1.5 times the volume of the transfer line
  • Operate valves on tanks regularly to make sure they remain functional and ice-free

• Manifolds
  • Use glycol or forced hot air heaters on manifolds, bypass lines, and valves. Covering or tenting with heat retaining material offers additional protection from freezing.
  • Operate valves on manifolds regularly, as often as every 15 minutes in extremely cold conditions, to ensure they remain functional and ice-free
  • Manifolds should have drain ports installed to drain the line and be cribbed on an angle so that, if necessary, 100-percent gravity drainage is possible
  • Utilize larger diameter hoses (ie, 6” or 8”), than typical, to prevent collection of ice jams and allow easy discharge into tanks and water storage

The temporary pipeline construction project is fully winterized – now what?

Even the best winterization efforts won’t guarantee zero problems as the temperatures dip down towards 0^oF. That’s why Keystone Clearwater uses its WaterForce® automated control system to make sure its pumps are running properly. With WaterForce we can also monitor flow rates and pressure, 24/7. That way, if there is a problem with ice in, on, or around any piece of our temporary pipeline, we can respond quickly.

Successful winterization means keeping an eye on the weather to modify all the components of your temporary pipeline in a timely way. It also means taking care of your team. Make sure your crew takes winter weather seriously, and wears the appropriate clothing like layers that don’t restrict movement and boots that are waterproof and insulated. A knit hat under their hardhat goes a long way towards keeping them warmer.

Extreme caution should be used while walking in and around manifolds or climbing steps and ladders because winter conditions increase slips/trips/falls hazards.

Finally, the shelter of a truck, warming hut or job trailer – and a hot beverage –  will help your crew stay warm enough to make sure all your temporary pipeline winterization efforts pay off.

Keystone Clearwater Solutions
With an experienced workforce and a full range of equipment and services, including WaterForce automation, Keystone Clearwater Solutions has the assets to serve the water management needs, including temporary pipeline construction, of oil and gas operators in the Appalachian Basin and Permian/Midland Basins. Contact us today for details.

For more information contact: Jeff Wehler, Senior Vice President, Business Development jwehler@keystoneclear.net