This product may be liquid, gaseous or multiphase hydrocarbons, water, steam, CO2, N2, petrol, aviation fuel etc.
Pre-commissioning[1] is the series of processes carried out on the pipeline before the final product is introduced.
Despite being seen as an offshoot, or minor part of the business for the larger oil service companies, the pipeline pre-commissioning industry possesses quite a large portfolio of services including, but not limited to the following services: Pipeline Cleaning – this is carried out by pushing pigs or gel pigs through the pipeline to remove any debris buildup or corrosion.
Dewatering – this involves pushing pigs through the pipeline propelled by a gas to remove the water prior to start-up.
On the pipeline process pre-commissioning side, there are various services such as chemical cleaning, helium leak detection, bolting, hot oil flushing, pipe freezing, foam inerting etc... Other services include valve testing, umbilical testing, hot tapping, leak metering, riser annulus testing.