- Turbine and Compressor Lube Oil Flushing Successfully Completed in Half the Time
- Two-figure Millions Saved Each Year on Maintenance Budget
- Accelerated Micro-organism Growth Caused Serious Operational Disturbances on Oil/Gas Platform
- Ad hoc De-scaling of “Live” Process Systems
- Time-saving Chemical Cleaning Removes Algae and Mussels in Seawater Cooling System
- Avoid Bottlenecks – Unique System for Flushing Hydraulic Hoses
- New Method of Changing Wind Turbine Gear Oil
- Night Shifts Cut after Oil Flushing of Thermal Oil System
- Diesel-plague on Mediterranean phantom ship
- Bulk Carrier Unable to Manoeuvre – Catastrophe Averted in Time Thanks to Flexibility and Teamwork
- Power Station Saves Many Days' Production Thanks to Ocean Team's Emergency Service
- Routine Oil Change Led to Whole New Technology for Flushing Gear Oil Systems in Wind Turbines
Accelerated Micro-organism Growth Caused Serious Operational Disturbances on Oil/Gas Platform
On an oil/gas platform in the North Sea, seawater had penetrated the wellhead hydraulic system through a leaking subsurface safety valve (SSSV). Consequently the solenoid valves stuck and the closing time for the master and wing valve of the Xmas trees was considerably reduced in relation to requirements, causing serious operational disturbances on the platform.
Ocean Team was called to the platform to try to find the cause of this sluggishness in the hydraulic wellhead valves. We ascertained a leak on one of the SSSVs in one of the wells, from where seawater ran through the control line and into the oil reservoir wellhead hydraulic panel – and where there is water, there is life; where there is oil, there is food. A violently accelerating growth of micro-organisms was seen, and the micro-organisms were very quickly spreading into other parts of the hydraulic system. The seawater initiated an oxidation process, causing the actuator material to corrode and the system to be plagued by sluggishness. The hydraulic solenoid valves were sticking due to “resin” accumulating in the tolerance areas of the valve as a result of microbiological growth. The wellhead hydraulic system was literally in the process of breaking down.
We managed to clean the whole system and remove all microbiological growth by means of our patented “In-line Pressurised Pulse-Induced Wave Oil Flushing” technology without having to shut the system down. All valves were re-conditioned by the method and could again move freely. It took 4-6 hours for each system, and reliability was re-established completely without closing down production.
Thanks to our extensive experience in troubleshooting/diagnostics and our comprehensive knowledge of the complex design of oil/gas platforms, we could quickly locate the source of the problem. Consequently, reliability was quickly re-established for the customer, and the platform returned to full working condition. As a major side benefit, considerable cost savings were also achieved as no production was lost during the flushing process.
