Managing a major plugging project on critical infrastructure

Challenge

Pipelines can operate safely beyond their original design life—but only with rigorous integrity monitoring and timely maintenance. Over time, critical components such as isolation valves can deteriorate, impacting essential operations like pigging and increasing safety risks. Replacing these components often requires complex engineering and precise execution.

Our client faced this challenge during an equipment changeout programme involving three interlinked pipelines, including a critical export line with third-party entrants. The scope required three high-pressure isolation tools and seamless coordination across multiple stakeholders.

Our Role

The client turned to Jee for our proven expertise in pipeline plugging and project management. We provided:

• Technical assurance to confirm isolation tools were correctly designed for all three systems.
• End-to-end project management, including vendor coordination, risk management and compliance oversight.

Our involvement covered the full lifecycle:

• Tendering and vendor selection (plugging and pumping vendors).
• Assurance and risk mitigation activities.
• FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) oversight.
• Onshore and offshore technical representation during execution to ensure adherence to procedures.

The Outcome

With Jee’s support, the project was delivered safely, on time, and without disruption. Key benefits included:

• Uninterrupted production: Third-party entrants were able to restart operations through the critical export pipeline.
• Restored pigging frequency: Replacement of isolation valves eliminated previous safety concerns and enabled pigging at the desired intervals.
• Extended asset life: The client achieved continued safe operation of ageing infrastructure without compromising integrity.

Why It Matters

This project demonstrates how expert technical assurance combined with robust project management can deliver complex pipeline interventions efficiently—protecting production, safety, and long-term asset value.

For more information, visit www.jee.co.uk/project-management

To contact our Head of Pigging, Sean Tucker, email sean.tucker@jee.co.uk, or call +44 (0)1732 371 371.