Venting Packer*

In repairs to pipe that ordinarily transport flammable products, it has been customary to void the line of its dangerous constituents prior to doing hot work.

The line, after shut in and pressure bleed off, may have pigs inserted and pushed through with water. In some instances the line is merely water flooded. In yet other circumstances the line is voided and purged with nitrogen. On these occasions, it is customary to isolate the line to be cut and welded, using blind flanges, "skillets", inserted to prevent migration of flammables to the locations of repair until the new section is installed. Frequently, an additional safety feature is employed to prevent possible accidents. Inflatable sphere, packers or "plumbers’ plugs" are used with varying degrees of success. It has been seen that failure through pressure build-up behind these tools has occurred.

The inherent danger of a "gas kick" or unexpected gas or fume build-up can and has caused flash fires or catastrophic explosions where the line was "clean" and ready for welding. Like the empty gun that kills, a prepared pipe, on occasion, has become the cause of death and destruction.

Insertion of Venting Packer

The Venting Packer has, by its design, eliminated the hazards previously experienced with flooded, purged, or plugged lines by simply setting up a hermetic sealing packer which vents the gas/fumes or other flammables away from the work site to a safe location. The Venting Packer has proven to be an efficient and safe alternative to the old methods in prior use.

Although the Venting Packer is specifically constructed to prevent any pressure build-up behind it, the tool (at a client’s request) has been tested to determine its resistance to extrusion should there be pressure behind it. It was found that the packer resisted extrusion slippage proportionate to the hydraulic pressure used to secure the slips and packers and their relative size. This is a built-in safety advantage over a normally used sphere or plug.

Due to its design, The Venting Packer, as activation initiates, increasingly grips the inside of the pipe preventing movement. Once activated, the packer can not be moved downward by accident or pressure loss, only upward after the tool is deactivated.

Use Of The Venting Packer Eliminates:

• The hazard of unexpected flash fires.
• Flooding or purging of lines to be repaired.
• The use of "skillets" for line isolation.
• The logistical problems and cost of nitrogen purging.
• Problems encountered on water flooded gas lines where there is no means of properly dumping the water once the line is flooded.
• Problems of residual salt water augmenting corrosion within the pipeline after pigging.
• Loss of the tool and vent pipe due to hydraulic pressure loss.
• The down time and expenses of any or all of the above.

Features:

• Extremely short activation-deactivation time. Approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
• The Venting Packer is ultra simple, only 3 moving parts.
• Fail safe gripping means, no danger of tool loss.
• Vent sizes and lengths vary according to needs.
• The Venting Packer and Technician is an inexpensive package.
• The Venting Packer is manufactured by an API approved firm.
• A complete in house repair and fabrication facility for emergency repairs to the tool.
• Backup systems and technicians available 24 hours/day.
• The Venting Packer handles a range of wall thicknesses (inside diameter) of each nominal pipe size.
• Passes through any weld penetration that a gauging pig will.
• In house capability of fabrication of Venting Packers through 60".
• Low Pressure hydraulics for increased safety.
• Test tools available when only a weld or connector is to be tested.
• MMS/DOT accepted method of repair.

Caveat: Should there be excess weld penetration due to welder error, the Venting Packer may have a problem in passage when retrieval is attempted.

*patented

Venting Packer*

In repairs to pipe that ordinarily transport flammable products, it has been customary to void the line of its dangerous constituents prior to doing hot work.

The line, after shut in and pressure bleed off, may have pigs inserted and pushed through with water. In some instances the line is merely water flooded. In yet other circumstances the line is voided and purged with nitrogen. On these occasions, it is customary to isolate the line to be cut and welded, using blind flanges, "skillets", inserted to prevent migration of flammables to the locations of repair until the new section is installed. Frequently, an additional safety feature is employed to prevent possible accidents. Inflatable sphere, packers or "plumbers’ plugs" are used with varying degrees of success. It has been seen that failure through pressure build-up behind these tools has occurred.

The inherent danger of a "gas kick" or unexpected gas or fume build-up can and has caused flash fires or catastrophic explosions where the line was "clean" and ready for welding. Like the empty gun that kills, a prepared pipe, on occasion, has become the cause of death and destruction.

Insertion of Venting Packer

The Venting Packer has, by its design, eliminated the hazards previously experienced with flooded, purged, or plugged lines by simply setting up a hermetic sealing packer which vents the gas/fumes or other flammables away from the work site to a safe location. The Venting Packer has proven to be an efficient and safe alternative to the old methods in prior use.

Although the Venting Packer is specifically constructed to prevent any pressure build-up behind it, the tool (at a client’s request) has been tested to determine its resistance to extrusion should there be pressure behind it. It was found that the packer resisted extrusion slippage proportionate to the hydraulic pressure used to secure the slips and packers and their relative size. This is a built-in safety advantage over a normally used sphere or plug.

Due to its design, The Venting Packer, as activation initiates, increasingly grips the inside of the pipe preventing movement. Once activated, the packer can not be moved downward by accident or pressure loss, only upward after the tool is deactivated.

Use Of The Venting Packer Eliminates:

• The hazard of unexpected flash fires.
• Flooding or purging of lines to be repaired.
• The use of "skillets" for line isolation.
• The logistical problems and cost of nitrogen purging.
• Problems encountered on water flooded gas lines where there is no means of properly dumping the water once the line is flooded.
• Problems of residual salt water augmenting corrosion within the pipeline after pigging.
• Loss of the tool and vent pipe due to hydraulic pressure loss.
• The down time and expenses of any or all of the above.

Features:

• Extremely short activation-deactivation time. Approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
• The Venting Packer is ultra simple, only 3 moving parts.
• Fail safe gripping means, no danger of tool loss.
• Vent sizes and lengths vary according to needs.
• The Venting Packer and Technician is an inexpensive package.
• The Venting Packer is manufactured by an API approved firm.
• A complete in house repair and fabrication facility for emergency repairs to the tool.
• Backup systems and technicians available 24 hours/day.
• The Venting Packer handles a range of wall thicknesses (inside diameter) of each nominal pipe size.
• Passes through any weld penetration that a gauging pig will.
• In house capability of fabrication of Venting Packers through 60".
• Low Pressure hydraulics for increased safety.
• Test tools available when only a weld or connector is to be tested.
• MMS/DOT accepted method of repair.

Caveat: Should there be excess weld penetration due to welder error, the Venting Packer may have a problem in passage when retrieval is attempted.

*patented