BWI: Larsen & Toubro Chooses Pipeline Pigging Safety Systems from Netherlocks

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Netherlocks
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 09:30 AM IST (04:00 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Construction, Heavy industries; Technology; Healthcare
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Larsen & Toubro Chooses Pipeline Pigging Safety Systems from Netherlocks


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, March 03, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- Netherlocks B.V., the Dutch industrial and valve safety expert, has been chosen by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T), India's largest engineering and construction conglomerate, to supply trapped key interlocking safety systems to secure and safeguard 'pigging' operations for two major projects. One, in conjunction with Cairn Energy India, involves 39 pig launcher and receiver systems along a cross country oil pipeline. The other project is from L&T's Qatar office, with Qatar Petroleum, where initially 12 of the pigging systems will be protected by the interlocks.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/net/net0409lt.jpg (670 KB)

Pigging is undoubtedly a very effective and efficient cleaning method for pipelines, not interrupting process, but it does carry a potentially high risk factor due to the high pressures and dangerous liquids and gases involved. Although nothing should go wrong if the safe procedures are followed correctly, there is always the chance (mostly attributable to human error) that the procedure itself will not be followed exactly. The trapped key interlocking systems from Netherlocks ensure that each stage of the process can only be started - in other words, that each valve can only be operated - once the stage before has been safely completed. In this way, the system mechanically enforces a strict and absolute adherence to safe procedure.

The exact number of locks required varies according to each individual pigging system and client specification, as their processes will be subject to differing numbers of variables - vent, drain, kicker, main, throttle, balance, and so on. This then requires different complexities of interlocking systems such as locks on manually and motor operated valves and closures. Because pigging procedures are often non-linear processes, requiring steps that may need to be repeated at different stages, or that are dependent on several previous actions, Netherlocks designed the MPCU. The MPCU acts as a 'mechanical PLC', checking each stage of the process and releasing keys according to pre-programmed parameters, meaning that the operation can only be performed according to safe procedure.

Interlocking systems such as these provide such an effective baseline safety standard that they are rapidly becoming standard for pigging systems. The simple principle of mechanically enforcing safe working methods significantly reduces risk by essentially taking the 'human factor' out of the equation, without negatively affecting performance.

About Netherlocks

Based in the Netherlands, Netherlocks is a leading supplier of safety and valve control systems for major industrial operations as well as smaller firms. The company's mechanically enforced procedures minimise the risk of human error in production and maintenance processes which could otherwise be dangerous and costly. Over 15 years of experience in protecting personnel and equipment means the company has been at the forefront of many design innovations which have helped to make industrial safety easier to implement and more effective than ever before.

About Halma

Halma p.l.c. (www.halma.com) is an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology. Halma is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has over 4000 employees in over 40 subsidiaries worldwide with a total turnover of over US$780m (2008). Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's economy in areas such as manufacturing, energy, water and waste treatment, the environment, construction, transport and healthcare.

Halma recently opened a Hub office in Mumbai. For further news about Halma in India and to subscribe to the Halma India RSS News Feed please visit our blog at: http://halmapr.com/news/india/.


CONTACT DETAILS
Damian Corbet, Halma Public Relations, +44 20 8511 1821, dcorbet@halmapr.com
Mr. Kuniyur. J. Srinivasan, Country Head & Managing Director, Halma India, +91 (22) 67080400, Srini@halma.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION, HEAVY INDUSTRIES, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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