Intervention and isolation are integral components of any emergency response program, commonly used to isolate sections of pipelines that need modification, repair, or replacement. Beyond the basic concepts of hot tapping and isolation, there are multiple configurations, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. A key element of these solutions is the bypass, which ensures continuous product flow even during repair activities.

Do you know all these configurations? Are you choosing the best option for your application?

In this paper, we review various configurations and explore the drivers behind choosing one over another. Like every choice, trade-offs must be well understood upfront. Options range from single isolation without any flow, double isolation with bypass, to four-isolation configurations for long sections of pipeline replacement, and five steps to leverage existing equipment fleets.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget the 3. To optimize the choices, it all starts with the appropriate selection of split tees. A 3-WAY™ tee can be an option for a permanent by-pass. The number of split tees will also depend on the flow requirements to ensure the bypass is effective and avoids disruption in energy supply.