Many plant operators face an unknown risk concerning the integrity of support touchpoints under piping and cable racks, especially in older plants. This is commonly referred to as Corrosion under/at Pipe Supports (CUPS/CAPS).

These touchpoints are exposed to galvanic corrosion which reduces pipe wall thickness over time and will eventually result in a safety risk to the environment and plant personnel. Without intervention the line will eventually require replacement in a shut-down situation and traditional methods of gaining access to these areas in a live environment are costly and can involve risks to personnel and the environment.

Introduced in this paper is a newly developed jacking solution developed in conjunction with the petrochemical industry for providing safe access to multiple CUPS whilst the lines are in-service, giving plant engineers and contractors critical information on pipe condition and access to perform maintenance. This will be done through a case-study highlighting the solutions' deployment at a marine terminal.

Showcasing the jacking technology, the paper also addresses the concerns plant operators have around health, safety and the environment when lifting in-service lines and how these can be safely mitigated.

A solution for lifting of live lines should have the following features:

No Cranes or Chain blocks: Cranes are costly, involve HSE risks and have a large operating footprint, chain blocks are not safe or practical for live lifting. 
Remote Lifting: Lifts done remotely whilst personnel stand at a safe distance. 
Static Structures: A safety lockout mechanism restricts the motion of the lift in both directions. 
Multiple/Single Lines: Ability to lift multiple lines make it economically viable to remediate instead of replace. Lifts from a pipe rack or support is done in a single lifting operation. 
Engineered Lifts: Stress analyses, lifting plans and execution are engineered with safety being the highest priority. 
Lifting from the Support: No clearance is required beneath the pipe supports and no need for supporting structures above the lines. 
No Cranes or Chain blocks: Cranes are costly, involve HSE risks and have a large operating footprint, chain blocks are not safe or practical for live lifting. 
Remote Lifting: Lifts done remotely whilst personnel stand at a safe distance. 
Static Structures: A safety lockout mechanism restricts the motion of the lift in both directions. 
Multiple/Single Lines: Ability to lift multiple lines make it economically viable to remediate instead of replace. Lifts from a pipe rack or support is done in a single lifting operation. 
Engineered Lifts: Stress analyses, lifting plans and execution are engineered with safety being the highest priority. 
Lifting from the Support: No clearance is required beneath the pipe supports and no need for supporting structures above the lines. 
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Subject
Wear, Marine environments, Water, Piping, Structures, Inspection, Remediation, Stress, Personnel, Repair, Health, safety, and environment, Maintenance, Lifting
© 2020 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. This work is protected by both domestic and international copyright laws. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2020
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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