Access to on-site nitrogen generation has become increasingly important. NiGen provides a range of solutions to help oil and gas pipelines and other businesses quickly, safely, and economically complete projects. Read on to learn more about the industries and services supported by our equipment and services.

 

Supported Industries

  • Pipelines
  • Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
  • Oil & Gas
  • Industrial
  • Petrochemical Facilities
  • Food Industry
  • Manufacturing Industry

 

Supported Services

Air Compression Services

We offer a range of portable, diesel powered, rental air compressors from 100-500 PSIG. With Flow rates 400 to 1,500 CFM.

Air Drying

Instrument air dryers are required on gas pipelines. We offer air and nitrogen drying services and provide dew point monitoring to ensure that the lines are delivered at the proper dew point. Dry air is also used to operate pneumatic instruments, tools, and machines and for many production processes. The use of wet air can lead to rust and scale deposits and other problems that can damage delicate pneumatic equipment.

Caliper Services

Caliper surveys use caliper tools to document pipeline features and irregularities like pipe valves and dents. Caliper services are typically performed on newly constructed and repaired pipelines and prior to pigging a pipeline.

Chemical and Mechanical Cleaning for Pipelines

Pipelines and vessels can contain debris, oil, and other residue accumulated during the construction or operations process. Pipeline cleaning services can be used to remove these contaminants and to periodically clear interior surfaces of deposits like scale and sludge and is also necessary prior to running pipeline pigs and inspection tools.

Pipeline Commissioning

Pipeline commissioning is the process of clearing the line and introducing the material to be transported. This is done after the pipeline has been tested to ensure it is leak-free and ready to be put into service. Nitrogen is the preferred option for displacing the air and/or water that is in the line prior to commissioning.

Pipeline Decommissioning

Before taking a pipeline out of service, the line must be decommissioned in compliance with all applicable regulations. The pipeline decommissioning process includes disconnecting the pipeline from other facilities, removing all product from the line, cleaning and then filling or otherwise securing the pipeline to regulation. Nitrogen purging is a preferred option for pipeline drying during decommissioning.

Dewatering

It is important to remove unwanted water from pipelines prior to commissioning. Additional dewatering and drying can be required after repairs or maintenance work has been completed.

Equipment Rentals (Nitrogen Generators, Air Dryers, Compressors, Boosters)

Equipment rentals can help pipeline companies and service providers complete their projects without needing to make unnecessary long-term investments in equipment. NiGen can deliver the rental equipment wherever it is needed while reducing expenditures on equipment purchases and storage. Our selection includes nitrogen generator rentals, desiccant dryer rentals, and industrial air compressor rentals in Houston.

Fabrication Services

We provide in house fabrication services. We can provide design and engineering services. We specialize in skid packages, pressure vessel fabrication, and containerized systems that include instrument air and nitrogen systems. We can create custom packages for many applications.

Food Industry

Different levels of food-grade nitrogen exist, and the team at NiGen can supply parts and regular servicing for the nitrogen generation equipment used. Despite using a different OEM and installation team, NiGen can maintain your equipment. Our maintenance can can be trusted to replace filters elements, do the calibration, test for the right oxygen content, check that activated carbon has been replaced, and verify compressors are being serviced properly.

Leak Testing

Leak testing measures pipeline integrity to ensure that the liquid or gases being transported are securely contained within the pipeline. This can be performed with hydraulic or pneumatic testing.  Pipeline and meter stations, Industrial facilities and manufacturing equipment can require leak testing. New equipment and pipelines require testing as do any systems that might have been damaged, repaired, or corroded. We specialize in helping you with nitrogen leak testing.

Manufacturing and Materials

It’s common for manufacturing (for things like building materials and insulation) to use chemicals during product. NiGen nitrogen generation systems can be used for nitrogen blanketing of chemical storage tanks so that the production environment is safe and up to code.

Nitrogen Blanketing

Nitrogen gas is the preferred option to safely and economically replace surrounding air within a potentially hazardous system. This process is known as nitrogen blanketing. Nitrogen is inert so it can be used to reduce system corrosion and contamination within pipelines and other facilities. When nitrogen blanketing is used within a storage tank, the process is often called tank padding.

Nitrogen Drying

To protect pipelines, storage tanks, and other facilities from the corrosion, it is important to remove moisture. Nitrogen drying displaces the oxygen while nitrogen’s low dew point and inert nature makes it ideal for safely and efficiently drying pipelines and sensitive facilities.

Nitrogen Services

NiGen provides equipment, parts, and rentals for a full-range of nitrogen services. Nitrogen generation, blanketing, purging, and related services are available as are parts to repair existing nitrogen systems. NiGen can provide the equipment and services companies need, even in remote locations.

Nitrogen Sparging

Nitrogen sparging is the process of bubbling nitrogen through a liquid in order to remove dissolved gases, like oxygen. Nitrogen sparging can be used to remove contaminants from pipelines and tanks in order to improve both efficiency and safety.

Pig Launchers and Receivers

Pig launchers and receivers allow a pig to be inserted into a pipeline and then removed at the end of the pig’s journey. Having the correct pig launchers and receivers minimizes the amount of product lost during the pigging process while ensuring the safe recovery of the pig.

Pig Sales

Pigs may be best known for their association with petroleum pipelines, but pigs are now in use for a broad range of applications, in addition to oil and gas pipelines. Companies sell specialized pigs to work for various industrial applications.

Pigging

Pigs are devices inserted into pipelines to perform specialized functions, and pigging is the process of sending a pig through a pipeline. There are many different specialized types of pigs available including those used for cleaning and switching a pipeline from transporting one product to another. Smart pigs are electronic inspection devices which check for integrity issues as they travel through a pipeline.

Pipeline Cleaning

Pipeline cleaning can remove accumulated sludge from pipelines that have been in use or debris from new and recently repaired pipelines. Cleaning can prevent corrosion and allow pipelines to work more efficiently. Pipeline cleaning can even be a required step when preparing a pipeline for decommissioning.

Pipeline Inspection

Newly constructed or repaired pipelines will require pipeline inspections before being put into service. In addition, periodic pipeline inspections are used to check for leaks, corrosion, and overall pipeline integrity.

Plant Turnarounds

Periodic plant shutdowns, called plant turnarounds, may be required for plant upgrades, system modifications, repairs, and/or inspections. During these plant turnarounds, a range of services are typically required to purge the lines, make any necessary system changes, and clean all the systems before returning the equipment to service.

Pneumatic Testing

Pneumatic testing uses compressed gas to check for system leaks. It is popular because it provides quicker results and requires less downtime than hydrostatic tests.

Purging

Purging replaces the contents of a specific area with a different gas or liquid. This process may be used on pipelines, storage tanks, or even electrical systems. Replacing air with inert gas can help to reduce corrosion and eliminate contaminates. Purging may also be used to push a pig through a pipeline when pigging.

System Purging

System purging can remove contaminants from a new system to prepare it for use. This process is typically done by purging with an inert gas like nitrogen. A system purge could also be a step in preparing the system for repairs or switching to holding or transporting a different product.