tricky to label with an adhesive pipe marker. Accessories such as valve tags can make labelling these awkward places quick and easy. Pipe Grabbers, clear plastic


sleeves that fit around pipes, can be used to label pipes that are icy, rusty or greasy. These sleeves provide a clean surface to which a pipe marker can be applied. They’re excellent for labelling difficult-to-reach pipes and for temporary pipe labelling.


While most labels and signs will be applied when the plat- form or ship is constructed, there is still a big labelling need when the ship or platform is in operation, so having labelling supplies that stand up to harsh marine environments is impor- tant.


Having a label printer


available is a huge advantage, allowing users to make compli- ance signs or labels when needed. Why take a chance on a hazard not being properly identified and marked? Why take a chance that an inspector will come on-board and find inadequate hazard warning sig- nage?


With an on-board indus- trial labelling system, safety la- bels and signs can be made to address both temporary situa- tions and emergencies whether you outsource pipe marker services from subcontractors or do it yourself.


Ian RJ Cordingley, of


Strategic Corrosion Manage- ment, said: “As corrosion con- sultants, we found that a number of marker types being used were causing major issues offshore, especially in corrosive environments and on aged plants. The challenges faced when selecting the correct type of marker include the fire safety of the material it is made from – some are fire-safe and


Wirewrap markers


Offshore pipeline maintenance


others are not. “Probably the most critical aspect is the potential acceler- ated corrosion induced under stick on pipe markers. We have seen a number of near-miss and catastrophic pipe wall fail- ures due to accelerated corro- sion induced under the stick on type markers.” Label adhesives typically contain chlorine, bromine and fluorine. These elements eat away at stainless steel pipes and cause corrosion, weaken- ing pipes.


Pipes with pressurised con-


tents can increase the risk that a pipe will explode, potentially spewing/gushing hazardous contents. When labelling stain- less steel pipes, be sure to choose a low-halogen supply to minimise risk. Having pipe markers, valve tags and labels that last and that reliably deliver their mes- sage is critical in refineries and on offshore platforms. A label that fails results in


an extreme hazard, because workers expect labelling to be in place. When a label fails and is missing or unreadable,


Pipe-pulse eases the flow


PIPELINE BLOCKAGE remediation specialist Paradigm Flow Services has won major contracts with oil and gas operators for work using its pioneering Pipe-Pulse technology.


In Brief The company has netted four contracts to unblock subsea pipelines across four major oil and


gas regions: the UK, US, West Africa and South East Asia, growing its market position on a global scale.


Pipe-Pulse is a remote, non-intrusive method of locating and removing blockages in long dis- tance pipe-work up to 30 miles. The current campaign of work will involve clearing umbilicals and flowlines to allow opera-


tors to re-inject chemicals and protect the integrity of their systems. Rob Bain, managing director of Paradigm Flow Services, said: “Integrity of subsea systems, pipelines and umbilicals is a major issue for operators around the world, particularly as assets age. Pipe-Pulse has the potential to save operators millions as chronic blockages can sometimes leave replacement as the only option. “Oilfields in different regions face their own unique challenges, but our Pipe-Pulse technology


allows vital remediation work to be completed effectively in a range of environments. Our most recent contract wins are a huge success for us and we look forward to building on this with fur- ther international opportunities.” The Pipe-Pulse unit delivers high energy and volume pressure pulses into the pipeline or sub- sea umbilical, which are transmitted to the blockage several miles away. The system is designed to be connected on the topsides of the host platform to remove the blockages. Prior to Pipe-Pulse, these problems were usually remediated by expensive methods such as de-


ploying a coiled tubing system from a rig into the pipeline, or undertaking subsea interventions using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or saturation divers.


Offshore Technology November/December 2012 17


All pictures courtesy DuraLabel


wrong assumptions may be made leading to an accident or disaster. For more information about offshore pipe marking and other offshore sign and label applications, contact Carter at mcarter@graph- icproducts.com. Graphic Prod- ucts, Inc. manufactures the DuraLabel 9000 and MP-9000 wide-format thermal transfer printer — used at facilities where signs and labels need to be big and bold as they’re so often read from a distance (www.DuraLabel.com).


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