UreStopper: Sealing innovation for Pipeline Integrity in the Oil and Gas Sector

In the oil and gas industry, the operational efficiency and integrity of pipeline systems are critical to ensure safe and continuous performance. In this context, the use of specialised equipment becomes crucial to address specific challenges associated with the handling and control of fluids in extremely demanding environments.

One of the essential components in this scenario is sealing equipment, designed to effectively manage fluid flow and ensure the integrity of pipelines. Its ability to seal and block becomes a critical aspect in ensuring operational safety, preventing unwanted leakage, and facilitating maintenance operations without significant disruption.

In PVM S.A.S. we are constantly working on development and innovation, in this opportunity we identified the needs that arise in the cuts and joints when it comes to integrity repairs or contingency care, some of these are:

Simultaneous repair activities that require the reception of several sealing equipment in the traps. Practical to handle and quick to install. Capacity to contain backpressure, as flammable gases or liquids can be displaced. Excellent interaction with hydrocarbons. Equipment that will not affect metering systems or filters after recovery. The accessories for the installation of the equipment should be easily removable.

Considering the above, in 2022 the first prototypes of URESTOPPER were designed and each of the simulations were analysed to achieve a high-quality product that would meet all the requirements. The first tests were carried out in the DPI (testing and research duct) space designed to test the developments in conditions similar to those presented in the field. The tests generated excellent results giving way to the adjustment for the manufacture of the products. In 2023 the product URESTOPPER was launched, providing optimal solutions to customers.

The URESTOPPER of PVM S.A.S is a polyurethane product, with mechanical resistance to a high degree of exposure to tearing, abrasion, traction, and direct contact with hydrocarbons, maintaining its physical properties, as they can be used in the hydrocarbon industry in various applications. One of the applications is for temporary plugging systems for scheduled maintenance or operational contingency systems.

The main characteristics of the URESTOPPER are: The URESTOPPER is manufactured in a way which allows greater flexibility and capacity to expand in a uniform and safe way, it supports counter pressures between 20 to 30 (PSI), for the inflation process air, nitrogen or water can be injected, the length of the URESTOPPER allows to make several cuts simultaneously in the same line receiving several of these in the receiving trap, they are not destroyed, they are recovered in the traps avoiding affectations to the filters or measurement systems and designed to pass through dents up to 40%.

PVM S.A.S.’s URESTOPPER