Oil sands are either loose sands or partially consolidated sandstone containing a naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay and water, saturated with a dense and extremely viscous form of petroleum technically referred to as bitumen. These are all very abrasive materials.
SCOPE
The customer had a rupture on a water line 350mm pipe. The mine was subject to frigid conditions of -26°C.
SOLUTION
The customer shut down the pipe line and then utilised a Herman Nelson heater and sock placed right at the patch location to maintain a moderate temperature. They then cleaned and roughened the damaged area. The leak was stemmed with Rapp-it Steel Putty and Rapp-it Pipe Repair Bandages (100mm x 3.6m) were applied over the top. The line was up and running at full capacity, 30 minutes after application.