` Welcome to SafeSeal

Why Is Valve Maintenance Important?

FLOW STOPPING (CRITICAL) VALVES HAVE TO CLOSE SMOOTHLY AND SEAL PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A PIPELINE FAILURE OR FACILITY

EMERGENCY TO PROTECT PEOPLE , PROPERTY & THE ENVIRONMENT.

“Almost all valve failures can be attributed directly to a lack of proper, yet inexpensive, maintenance procedures-the most important being

lubrication and cleaning.”

Pipeline Industry, December 1986

SafeSeal Valve Systems Corp. is the designer of the patent pending SafeSeal360 Valve Greasing System. Our valve greasing system is designed to be used in the regular maintenance of critical valves used in pipeline and oil and gas facilities throughout Canada, the United States and internationally. The SafeSeal360 system helps ensure that the valve integrity required for proper operation is maintained during the life of a valve. The SafeSeal360 system also reduces the frequency for pipeline and facility valve refurbishment and replacement costs, costs which are far greater than the cost of a SafeSeal360 system.

Introduction

Pipeline Quick Facts

94% - Percentage of transportation demand in Canada supplied by petroleum products 3 million - Barrels of crude oil transported by transmission pipelines in Canada every day - the equivalent of 200 Olympic sized swimming pools 97% - The percentage of Canadian natural gas and crude oil production transported by transmission pipelines 2.5 - Number of times Canada’s natural gas and liquid transmission pipelines would circle the earth if laid end-to-end

30 -35 - Number of days it takes for oil to travel by pipeline from Alberta to southern Ontario

Up to 40 km per hour - Speed natural gas moves through a pipeline

75 kilometers - The length of train that would be required to transport the 3 million barrels of crude oil transported by pipeline in Canada every day

825,000 kms - Estimate of Canada’s underground natural gas and liquids pipeline network (gathering, transmission and delivery lines) 425,000 kms - Estimate of Alberta’s underground pipeline network (over half of Canada’s total)

Types of Pipelines

Gathering Lines These lines travel short distances gathering products from wells and move then to oil batteries or natural gas processing facilities. From 101.6mm to 304.8mm (4 in. to 12 in.)

Feeder Lines Feeder lines move products from batteries, processing facilities and storage tanks in the field to the long-distance haulers of the pipeline industry, the transmission pipelines.

Transmission Pipelines Transmission lines are the energy-highways, transporting oil and natural gas within a province and across provincial or international boundaries. From 101.6mm to 1,212 mm (4 in to 48 in.) About half are 457.2 (18 in.) or larger, and about one third are 254 mm (10 in.) or smaller)

Distribution Pipelines Local distribution companies (LCDs) operate natural gas distribution lines. From 12.7 mm to 152.4 mm (1/2 in. to 6 in.)

The Natural Gas Delivery Network

Natural gas moves through a pipeline at speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, about the speed of an Olympic sprinter.

The Crude Oil Delivery Network

Crude oil moves at a speed of 5 kilometres per hour via pipeline, roughly walking speed.

major natural gas pipelines

major liquids pipelines

Pipeline Valves

The world’s vast pipeline network is controlled by several types of valves that are installed at intervals along pipelines or at facilities and can be closed to stop the flow of gas or oil for maintenance, ruptures or leaks. As pipelines approach heavily populated areas, the frequency of valves that can stop the flow of gas or oil increases. Three Primary Types of Flow-Stopping Valves:

•Manual Valves: Opened and closed by hand •Remote Valves: Opened and closed remotely from a pipeline flow control centre •Automatic Shut-off Valves (commonly called an ESD): Shut-off valves that close automatically if pipeline pressure drops or if gas flow direction changes

Only properly maintained valves will close fully and seal completely when required to do so.

Why Valves Leak

Dehydrated natural gas offers little, if any, lubrication

Internal elastomeric seal tends to dry out, harden and then stick to the sealing surfaces

Common perception is that because the valve was tested in the factory, the valve should seal perfectly for many years in the future. Proper valve maintenance is essential to the reliability and integrity of the entire pipeline system

The personnel often assigned to perform valve maintenance often have no prior training or experience

A poorly maintained valve Corrosion & leaking

Why Valves Leak

Solid contaminants such as pipe scale, welding slag, hot tap cuttings, sand and dirt create tiny scratches on the mated sealing surfaces. These scratches erode into progressively larger leak passageways. Valves are rarely lubricated according to manufacturer’s specifications. A typical valve requires 2 oz of product per inch of valve diameter. A small 4” valve would require 8oz of product to properly grease the valve. A hydraulic hand gun requires 25 strokes to move 1 oz of product. A 4” valve would require 200 strokes to deliver the right amount of product. Because of lack of training, remote locations , cost and lack of manpower in the field, this is rarely achieved which reduces valve life and increases risk of leakage.

Scratches like these erode into progressively larger leak

passageways

Proper Valve Maintenance Why It Is Crucial

Almost all valve failures and loss of valve life can be attributed to lack of proper, routine maintenance-the most important being lubrication and cleaning.

Every time a valve is cycled some lubricant is lost downstream.

Forcing a hard to operate valve to open or close can cause damage to internal components.

Cycling a valve when internal surfaces are dry can cause scarring on the ball and seat surfaces leading to leakage.

Higher pressures in a pipeline also accelerate lubrication loss with every application.

Normal wear & tear on well-maintained valve

Valve Replacement Costs (from Sealweld Corporation study)

New Valve Costs-A new valve can cost from $1,200-$2,000 per inch of valve diameter. A 36” ball valve ranges from $45-65,000 delivered to location

Manpower & Equipment-Depending on the location of the valve, the cost of moving the heavy equipment and housing manpower can vary greatly. Estimates range from $50-250,000.

Cost of Lost Gas-During a valve replacement, gas has to be vented or flared to the atmosphere. Estimates range from $50-100,000 per valve.

Lost Revenue for Operator-When a pipeline goes out of service revenue is not being generated and fixed costs for operations are constant.

Environmental Impact-Extending valve life means a valve has to be replaced less, therefore reducing the amount of gas that is vented or flared to the atmosphere.

Extending Valve Life Pays Off!!

The

How SafeSeal360 Works?

Clamps to the pipeline near the valve or comes with a stand Connects to the valve using high pressure hoses to each button head fitting of the valve Uses 4000psi of pressure to deliver the proper amount of grease in 360 degrees to the left side of the valve Automatically recharges to deliver grease to the right side of the valve Can be operated by pushing a button on-site or remotely

Where Is SafeSeal Used?

The SafeSeal360 Valve Greasing System is ideal for use on: All ESD valves Pigging valves & pig launchers Remote valve locations Facility valves Offshore platform valves Valves near river crossings or waterways Valves near any populated area Valves near environmentally sensitive areas Any valve that is cycled (open & closed) regularly

Reduces the risk of valve leakage and potential environmental clean-up costs

360 degree seat grease pressure system ensures grease is distributed evenly

Extends valve life & reduces valve repair and expensive downtime costs Can be easily mounted beside each critical valve whether in remote areas or in plant facilities

Advantages of SafeSeal

Can be activated by the push of a button or remotely, delivering the proper amount of lubrication and sealant necessary for efficient valve operation

Valves can be greased properly according to manufacturer’s specifications

SafeSeal’s system grease is both a lubricant & sealant Refillable grease canisters

Advantages of SafeSeal

Questions?

Thank-you!