Precision pipeline intervention enables seamless gas segregation in Oman

STATS Group completes complex hot tapping and BISEP® line stopping for OQGN's 48-inch gas pipeline in Oman, ensuring safe, sustainable integration of Sur gas supply station extension, Mark Gault, Vice President Middle East, STATS Group, tells OGN

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STATS Group was contracted to perform hot tapping and line stopping operations for the OQ Gas Networks (OQGN) on its 48-inch gas pipeline in Sur, Sultanate of Oman.

This complex project involved deploying dual STATS BISEP® line stop tools to achieve a leak-tight double block and bleed isolation of a 150-m pipeline section, ensuring the safe and efficient integration of a new extension of Sur gas supply station.

The gas flow was maintained continuously through an integrated bypass operating at 75 bar, the operation eliminated the need to shut down and purge the entire 65-km pipeline, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by preventing large-scale venting and flaring.

The integration of the extended gas supply station into the existing 48-inch pipeline was successfully completed without disrupting service to OQGN customers.

By isolating the pipeline section and employing advanced hot tap and BI-SEP isolation technologies, the project team enabled safe, controlled modifications on a live system, ensuring uninterrupted gas supply and maintaining consistent pressure throughout the operation.

To support the project, STATS provided two 48-inch BISEPs each with a slab valve, split tee fitting and completion plug, rated to class 600.

ADVANCED ISOLATION TECHNOLOGY ENSURES SAFETY

In addition, STATS supplied SureTap® hot tap machines and personnel for 48-inch and 2-inch tapping operations.

STATS BISEP technology provides operators with pioneering hot tap installed line stopping capabilities to enable the safe and effective repair and modification of pressurised pipeline infrastructure.

The patented BISEP provides a fail-safe double block and bleed isolation deployed through a single full bore hot tap intervention and is the only DNV Type Approved line stop tool.