As a hard-working pipeline testing firm based in Brisbane, Queensland, Pipe Tek has grown its business from its original establishment in 1953 as Tank Calibrators to what it is today.
Managing Director Myles Brannelly tells The Australian Pipeliner that the recent project the company completed included welding, non-destructive testing, coating and pre-testing.
“We hit the ground running with our direct approach to safety, with the HDD drilled by Pipeline Drillers and pulled though in January 2022,” he says. “Pipe Tek conducted the post hydrotest, cleaning and drying of the section.”
“Before you place a new pipeline into commission, it’s essential to test it thoroughly for leaks or other issues with structural integrity. This process usually involves hydrostatic testing, wherein your pipeline is filled with water and pressurised.
“Getting water into the pipeline for hydrostatic testing without allowing air to pass into the pipes is a key responsibility for all pipeline pigging companies. At Pipe Tek, we are proud to have an average air inclusion rate of 0.08 per cent. For reference, the maximum air allowance is 5 per cent, while the standard recommended rate is 0.2 per cent. By keeping our numbers low, we provide practical pigging services without compromising on safety.”
As part of the contract, Pipe Tek was also responsible for cleaning and drying the section of the pipeline. Through the company’s pipeline pigging services, it uses a mix of foam pigs, refrigerant dryers and desiccant, to eliminate water from the pipeline to dew points of -40°C.
This process prevents corrosion and keeps moisture out of the product flow.
“In addition to the drying process, Pipe Tek used pipeline cleaning pigs to remove debris from the pipeline, maximising flow and efficiency. Depending on the project, we use a variety of brush, bi-directional, and foam pigs to clean pipes effectively and thoroughly,” Brannelly says.
With a motto of ‘when you need a professional result, we make it happen’, Pipe Tek’s biggest challenge of the project was the area where the pipe was welded being in soft sand.
Brannelly says this made it difficult for machinery movements.
“The use of Pipe Teks off road Polaris buggy came in handy and helped the project be delivered ahead of schedule,” he says. “The pipe was also very dirty as it was stored without endcaps which made the cleaning component take longer.”
“However, the way we adapted to changing conditions, our ability to complete our first construction project ahead of schedule and on budget with no near misses or recordable incidents was one of our biggest achievements to date.”
As a result of the company’s efficient work, Brannelly says Pipe Tek has now been engaged to complete the tie-ins for this project and are looking to complete these works in the next four weeks.
“This year we want to continue to stay present in the pipeline industry and deliver quality projects to the pipeline industry,” he says.
For more information visit the Pipe Tek website.
This article featured in the March 2022 issue of The Australian Pipeliner. Click here to view the digital magazine.