Rapid NORM decontamination of pipeline pigs for Montrose operations

Fast-track NORM decontamination and disposal of multiple pipeline pigs at Oldmeldrum – including an intelligent pig turned around in hours and back on transport by 1pm the same day, with zero delays, reduced water use and full traceability.

Sector: Offshore oil & gas – pipelines / inspection
Location: Oldmeldrum NORM Decontamination Facility, North-east Scotland
Client: NEONEXT (via anonymised operator)
Services: NORM decontamination, pig splitting and cleaning, waste management, documentation and compliant disposal

Overview

Following Montrose pipeline operations, multiple pigs and associated equipment – including intelligent, foam and bi-directional pigs – required safe NORM decontamination and compliant disposal.

Sureclean delivered a fast, low-hassle turnaround at our Oldmeldrum NORM Decontamination Facility, prioritising a critical intelligent pig needed for another campaign and returning it to the client within hours of arrival.

The Challenge

The client needed:

  • NORM decontamination and disposal of multiple pigs and accessories from Montrose operations
  • Full radiological and environmental control throughout the process
  • Rapid prioritisation of an intelligent pig, which was on the critical path for another scope
  • Minimal operational hassle – a partner who could manage vendors, waste and documentation end-to-end

Sureclean’s Solution

Work was carried out under the controls of Sureclean’s Oldmeldrum NORM Decontamination Facility, using our in-house people, plant and procedures.

Key moves:

  • Early mobilisation and proactive coordination with third-party vendors to secure time-critical slots
  • Immediate prioritisation of the intelligent pig, which was:
    • Split, cleaned and radiologically cleared
    • Inspected, documented and ready for transport within hours
  • Parallel processing of remaining foam and bi-directional pigs, using established NORM decontamination methods and controlled waste routes

Because all capability – decon lines, waste systems and documentation – sits in-house, Sureclean was able to provide a fast, compliant turnaround with minimal client involvement.

Results

The campaign achieved:

  • All pigs and associated equipment decontaminated safely and fully documented for compliant disposal
  • The intelligent pig processed and reloaded by 1pm the same day, allowing the client to keep downstream operations on schedule
  • Zero delays, reduced water usage and optimised handling through Sureclean’s integrated facility setup
  • Complete traceability for every item and waste stream, satisfying regulatory and client audit requirements

The client praised Sureclean’s:

Rapid response, professionalism and reliability,
highlighting the team’s ability to adapt, prioritise critical items and deliver high-quality results under tight timeframes.

What this shows about Sureclean

This project reinforces Sureclean’s role as a trusted NORM decontamination partner:

  • Agile scheduling and prioritisation for critical inspection tools like intelligent pigs
  • End-to-end control of decontamination, waste and documentation at a single specialist facility
  • Delivery that protects both operational schedules and regulatory compliance – especially when time is tight and the stakes are high.