In critical industrial operations, shutting down a plant is not always the answer.

Production schedules, process continuity and the cost of downtime can make conventional maintenance extremely challenging. Hot Tapping provides a way to carry out specific pipeline connections, modifications and interventions while the system remains live, helping facilities maintain continuity while addressing critical maintenance requirements.

But Hot Tapping is not simply about having the equipment to make a connection.

Working on a live pipeline requires a clear understanding of the pipe, operating pressure, temperature, line medium, material, site conditions and the consequences of intervention. It requires specialist manpower, appropriate engineering and disciplined execution.

This is where experience makes the difference.

Nearly Three Decades of Critical-Industry Experience

ABS is one of India's trusted joint integrity specialists, with nearly three decades of experience supporting critical operations across Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation, Steel and other demanding industrial environments.

That experience has given ABS a practical understanding of what industrial maintenance involves—the pressure of shutdown schedules, the complexity of live plants, difficult site conditions and, most importantly, the need to maintain safety and operational continuity.

ABS now brings this depth of experience to specialized Hot Tapping and Line Stopping services, supported by a ready and experienced team, specialized equipment and the engineering and operational infrastructure of an established joint integrity organization.

Capability for Demanding Live-Pipeline Applications

ABS's Hot Tapping capability extends to pipeline sizes up to 48 inches, with maximum operating pressures of up to 1,480 psig and temperatures of up to 280°C for Hot Tapping. Line Stopping capability extends to 36 inches, with operating temperatures up to 200°C. ABS also offers inflatable gas bag isolation for applications up to 48 inches.

The capability covers a broad range of pipeline materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, GRE and HDPE, among other pipeline materials.

These capabilities make Hot Tapping relevant across industries such as Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation, Construction and Infrastructure.

But numbers alone don't define capability.

The engineering behind the intervention matters just as much.

Engineered Around the Application

ABS supports Hot Tapping and Line Stopping with a range of engineered components, including Hot Tap Fittings, Line Stop Fittings, reinforcing saddles, reinforcing sleeves and special fittings. These are designed for applications such as equipment tie-ins, lateral connections, pipeline extensions, isolation, repair and reinforcement.

The fittings are designed and manufactured in accordance with applicable ASME standards, with engineering aligned to requirements including ASME B31.3, B31.4 and B31.8 for process pipelines, liquid transportation systems and gas transmission pipelines.

This application-led approach allows ABS to look beyond the Hot Tap itself and consider the complete intervention, helping customers select the appropriate solution for their operating environment.

More Than a Hot Tapping Contractor

Hot Tapping is part of a broader intervention capability at ABS. The organization also offers In-Service Welding, Pipe Freezing and 24/7 Emergency Pipeline Repair, alongside its established joint integrity and bolting expertise.

Its service experience also extends to applications such as district cooling systems, firewater networks, seawater injection lines, utility and process water systems and petrochemical plant maintenance.

For customers, this means access to a partner that understands not just the intervention, but the larger maintenance environment in which it has to be executed.

Because when a pipeline cannot simply be taken out of service, the choice of Hot Tapping partner matters.

It takes experience to understand the application. It takes engineering to design the right intervention. And it takes specialist capability to execute it safely.

ABS Hot Tapping.

When shutdown isn't an option, choose the partner built to keep operations moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is hot tapping in pipeline maintenance?

A. Hot tapping is a pipeline intervention method that allows a new connection, branch or fitting to be made on an operating pipeline without shutting down the entire system. It is used where maintaining process continuity is important and the application can be safely engineered for live operation. 

2. What are hot tapping services used for?

A. Hot tapping services are used for pipeline connections, equipment tie-ins, lateral connections, pipeline extensions, modifications and other interventions where the existing pipeline needs to remain in service. 

3. What pipeline sizes and operating conditions can ABS support for hot tapping?

A. ABS supports Hot Tapping applications on pipeline sizes up to 48 inches, with maximum operating pressures of up to 1,480 psig and temperatures of up to 280°c, subject to application-specific engineering and operating conditions. 

4. What materials can be hot tapped?

A. Hot tapping applications can involve pipeline materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, GRE and HDPE, depending on the application, pipe condition and engineering requirements.