Pipeline Crawlers

PIGGING THE UNPIGGABLE

Key Points Pipecrawlers has developed a range of tethered intervention crawler tools that are designed
to access pipeline systems (SCR, Rigid and Flexible) currently considered to be unpiggable.
CAPABILITY
• Patented ‘Brush Drive’ technology Reasons for a pipeline to be classified as unpiggable includes the following:
• Single entry and recovery point
• Single access point only
• Fully bi-directional travel
• ‘Low’ or ‘no’ flow
• Can operate ‘with’ or ‘against’ the flow
• Pipeline ends in a ‘tee’ section
• Can operate in ‘no flow’
• Pipeline bore dimension changes
• Can stop at any point in the
pipeline system • Non full bore valves fitted
• Multi tonne pulling capacity
• Multiple 3D bend passing
• Powered deployment and
powered recovery
• Onboard ethernet and canbus networks
• Onboard internal and external
temperature sensors
• Onboard internal and external
pressure sensors
Modular Brush Drive
• 10km + excursion range in dry
gas pipelines
• 15km + excursion range in fluid
filled pipelines
Pipeline intervention crawler tools have been Integration of both established and new
• Variable speeds from 0 to 900
metres / hour developed by Pipecrawlers as a versatile pipeline inspection and intervention
• Pressure withstand up to 300 bar and sophisticated ‘delivery system’ able technologies into the range of crawlers will
• Power and communication via tether to transport existing established pipeline be carried out by Pipecrawlers in partnership
• ‘Live’ operational positional and onboard technologies such as MFL and UT sensors with the client and technology provider.
(ILI) sensor display into unpiggable pipelines. During operations Pipecrawlers will be
• Emergency recovery via tether responsible for insertion of the tool into the
Pipecrawlers are making the intervention pipeline and pilot the tool to pre-determined
APPLICATIONS crawler delivery system available to their excursion ranges or to specific locations.
• Accessing unpiggable pipelines
clients, who are then free to select which Data collection and analysis will be the
• Pipeline cleaning
technology or complimentary combinations responsibility of the inspection technology
- Brush
of technologies they wish to have integrated provider.
- Jetting
- Chemical within the modular tool layout for each
• ILI Inspection specific application they have. In the event
- MFL that a client has no particular preference
- UT regarding technology supplier, Pipecrawlers
- Eddy current will provide a recommendation.
- EMAT
- EMIT
• Stuck pig removal
• Flange testing
• Plug setting
• Hydro testing
• Visual inspection
- Camera
• Pipeline gauging, mapping and data
collection
- Laser
- Sonar
- Inertial navigation
- Temperature profiling
- Pressure profiling
- Dynamic motion
• Pipeline repair system All Electric Drive Multiple Drive Modules
 Pipeline Crawlers

Unlike conventional pigging which relies

on differential pressure to generate the
necessary forces to move the pig, the
Pipecrawlers intervention tool uses ‘brush
drive’ units powered by electric linear drive
motors. The ‘brush drive’ and suspension
system enables tools to generate multi
tonne pulling forces without fully occluding
Typical ILI Package
the pipeline and this allows product to flow
in either direction whilst the tool travels
to its planned excursion range or
pre-determined location.

The ability to pass through product with its

own onboard power and high levels of grip Drive and Suspension Brushes

make the ‘brush drive’ technology ideal for

accessing pipelines currently classified as
unpiggable. The ‘brush drive’ and suspension
system makes the Pipecrawlers intervention
tool truly bi-directional giving it the ability to
access a pipeline from a single location.
Motion, control and data transmission is
managed from a topside console via an
umbilical tether which enables the tool to be
run at any speed from zero to maximum. The
ability of the crawler to stop and secure itself
in position anywhere in a pipeline (including
risers) is particularly useful for many
intervention and inspection tasks.
Using conventional ILI inspection techniques
inside unpiggable pipelines requires the
pipelines to be clean and the Pipecrawlers
intervention tool is ideally suited to this task.
By incorporating the speed control and the
product flow bypass capability of the tool,
controlled quantities of pipewall deposits
can be removed and progressively released
into the product flow whilst the pipeline is
still producing. Once clean the intervention
crawler can return to the launch position
and have a modular ILI package fitted to
complete an inspection run.

PULLING CAPACITY 6” - 10” tools 10” - 20” tools 20” - 36” tools 36” - 60” tools
Continous Motion Up to 1.2 tonnes 2.4 tonnes 4.8 tonnes 9.6 tonnes
Cyclic Motion Up to 2.4 tonnes 4.8 tonnes 9.6 tonnes 19.2 tonnes

SPEED PRESSURE
Camera / Sonar Unit
Standard 0-450 metres per hour Low Pressure Rated 50 bar
High Speed 0-900 metres per hour High Pressure Rated 300 bar

Crawler performance and range is subject to pipeline operating conditions and geometry.

Intelligent Intervention Crawler Train

6 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1YH

For more information contact: Keith Swinden • keith.swinden@genesisoilandgas.com
Switchboard: +44 (0)1224 615100 • Direct: +44 (0)1224 615175 • Mobile: +44 (0) 7890 535099

Subsea Integrity Group Ltd trading as Pipecrawlers