Composite reinforcing sleeve Smart Lock (UKMT)

PIPELINE REPAIR USING SMART LOCK

Studying the fiberglass structures evolution and using the analysis of existing methods to repair pipelines, specialists of «NefteGazDiagnostika» LLC have developed the composite pipeline sleeve SMART LOCK.

This product has been commercially available since 2008. The sleeve consists of two half-shells manufactured by unidirectional winding of glass roving on stainless steel flanges.

SMART LOCK products are qualified for application in the petroleum sector, they have hygienic and conformity certificates as well as ISO 9001 — 2008 conformity certificate. SMART LOCK application enables online, inexpensive, simple and reliable repair of pipelines to be performed that, according to the industrial safety expertise conclusion, is classified as the major repair.

The principle of SMART LOCK operation — the pipeline internal pressure compensation by the external contact pressure developed at high tightening torque of bolted connections.

The technology allows SMART LOCK installing at operating pressures with guaranteed quality, unlike the sleeves installed without preloading.

SMART LOCK are different from all currently existing types of repair sleeves — it covers a wide range of existing types and sizes of the pipelines under repair — from 50 to 1420 mm in outside diameter. It provides full overlap of the repaired section, their installation is simple, repair rate is high, the volume of needed earth-moving works is low. Long flaws can be repaired using sleeves sequenced back-to-back mounting.

SMART LOCK can be used also for underwater pipelines repair. Since this repair is classified as permanent, some oil- and gas producing enterprises use SMART LOCK to repair the pipelines’ ruptures, including repairs without pressure release (hot tapping).

SMART LOCK can be used to repair emergency pipeline leaking.

MAJOR BENEFITS:

• Overhaul repair
• Without hot works
• Maintenance without pressure release
• Maintenance of external and internal corrosion defects including penetration defects
• Easy installation
• Resistance to cyclic loading
• Low volume of earth-moving works
• Without heavy machinery
• Application for underwater maintenance
• Corrosion resistant
• High repair speed
• Cost effective

In most cases repair using SMART LOCK is an alternative to spool cut. Maintenance spot can be easily detected from the ground surface and with the help of in-line inspection facilities.