Subsea Pipeline End Manifold (PLEM) Ultrasonic Multi-Channel (UTMC) Pig Launch

The Dacon Pipeline Services Team at Dacon Inspection Technologies recently successfully completed a 24” Ultrasonic Multi Channel Inline Inspection of a 2.1Km pipeline for a local client here in Thailand.

The pipeline in question is Thailand’s main jet fuel loading pipeline. The inspection required a sub sea launch from the subsea Pipeline End Manifold (PLEM) to the receiving end onshore. The subsea Pipeline End Manifold was not set up with a launcher therefore a vertical launcher was fabricated with a sweeping bend that connected to the PLEM on the sea floor. The In Line Inspection tool was activated by the Dacon team onboard the support barge before a barge mounted crane then lowered the tool vertically into the water. Beneath the surface the dive support team carefully guided the tool vertically into the launching tube before closing the launcher ready to send the pig on its way.

Seawater was pumped into the pipeline and controlled from the support barge propelling the In Line Inspection tool from launch at subsea to the receiver onshore.

An interesting and unique pig launch for sure!