APEX supports clients in maintaining pipeline integrity by reducing the probability of internal corrosion, which in turn minimizes the risk of pipeline leaks. Furthermore, our methods effectively manage liquid accumulation to maximize pipeline efficiency and operational reliability.

Customer Challenges

Our customer’s pipelines were heavily clogged with scale and debris. They had been relying on conventional cleaning methods, which typically required at least two months to fully clear the pipelines.

This conventional process involved running multiple standard cleaning pigs in succession to gradually open the bore enough for a larger, sealing pig to perform additional acid and chemical cleaning.

Apex Excellence: Our Approach

Our approach was designed to overcome these challenges efficiently and effectively, incorporating the following key elements:

• Used gel pigs with batched acid/chemical cleaning for immediate scale removal.
• Applied a custom double-inhibited acid mix followed by chemical pills to speed up the cleaning process.
• Enhanced sealing from the gel pigs improved acid treatment efficiency and reduced the number of required pig runs.
• Maintained pipeline cleanliness by strictly avoiding the introduction of hydrocarbons between pigging runs.
• Reduced chemical usage through fewer batching operations compared to conventional methods.

Value to the Client

The implementation of APEX’s specialized pigging solution delivered significant, measurable value to the client:

• Exceeded customer expectations, prompting strong interest in using the same solution for future projects.
• Introduced gel pig technology, which is now being developed for broader application to enhance process efficiency.
• Completed the entire project in half the usual time, simultaneously achieving a 45% cost reduction.
• Shorter operations reduced the run times of support equipment, resulting in a lower overall project carbon footprint.