Marathon Petroleum Company LLC

MPL Mud Plug Procedure

Document No.: TNL-SFT-10015-PRD
Document Owner: R. R. Stansberry,
T&L Standards & Practices Manager
Supercedes:

Effective Date: 09/01/2010

Mud plugs can be used to isolate vapors on 6 and larger pipe diameters and
all wall thicknesses.
DANGER: Mud plugs only provide a vapor seal. They do not protect
against pressure.

Exceptions

Mud plugs cannot be used as sole vapor isolation in the following systems:
Lines less than 6
Piping that cannot be vented
Vertical piping or pipe angle greater than 30 degrees.

Plug size

The industry rule of thumb for length of a completed mud plug is 1 pipe
diameters. (12 pipe = 18 mud plug)

Preparation

The pipe must be properly vented on the upstream side of a mud plug to
relieve vapor pressure.
If the piping lay out is unknown between an existing vent and mud plug, and
venting can not be confirmed, a new vent needs to be installed at a location
where proper venting can be confirmed.
The vent shall be directed down wind of hot work area using air hose or
tubing. The area must be secured and monitored for hazardous vapors.

Page 1 of 4
ATTENTION: Printed copies should be used with caution. The user of this document must ensure the current approved version of
the document is being used. This copy was printed on 6/4/2010 1:17:00 PM TNL-SFT-10015-PRD.

Document No.: TNL-SFT-10015-PRD

MPL Mud Plug Procedure

Mixing

Effective Date: 09/01/2010

Mixing containers include wheel barrows, wash tubs, or buckets. Containers

need to be free of any debris such as rocks, sticks, grass/weeds, trash, or any
solids.
NOTE: Powdered Bentonite should be used. Several commercial names are
Wyoming Bentonite, sodium Bentonite, Hydrogel
Typical mixing steps are:
Step
1
2

3
4

Installation

Action
Typical mixture is 1 gallon of water into 10 pounds of bentonite.
Put powdered bentonite in container.
Mix small amounts of water into the bentonite until mixture is
cohesive but still moldable. Mixture should be free of all dry and
powdery areas. Inspect various locations of mixing for dryness.
Place mixture in a shaded area or covered to minimize drying.
If mixture use is delayed for several hours, inspect mixture for
dryness before installation. If dry areas are detected, add water as
needed and remix to cohesive but still moldable consistency.
CAUTION: If mud plugs are used in freezing weather, antifreeze
and water mixture or a non freezing medium should be substituted
for water. If the plug freezes there is a possibility that the sealing
mechanism could be impacted and could cause problems when the
system is returned to service.

A work permit is required to install a mud plug. The installation of the mud
plug should be one of the last tasks prior to welding.
Installation steps:
Step
1
2
3

4
5
6
7

Action
Form mixture into spheres approximately the size of softballs.
Size may vary with smaller diameter pipe.
Ensure pipe ID is clean.
Place balls of mud in the bottom of the pipe starting
approximately 2 pipe diameters from the opening. On large
diameter pipe, the mud should be placed as far away from the
open end of the pipe as possible without physically entering the
pipe.
Continue to install mud balls in a pyramid fashion.
Compact until ID of pipe is completely sealed to within 6 from
the end of the pipe or acceptable plug length is reached.
CAUTION: Perform LEL monitoring to verify that plug has
sealed and no vapors are leaking past.
If vapors are detected stop all work activity and visually inspect
Page 2 of 4

ATTENTION: Printed copies should be used with caution. The user of this document must ensure the current approved version of
the document is being used. This copy was printed on 6/4/2010 1:17:00 PM TNL-SFT-10015-PRD.

Document No.: TNL-SFT-10015-PRD

MPL Mud Plug Procedure

8
9

Hot Work

Effective Date: 09/01/2010

mud plug for breaches, slumping or shrinkage. If problems are

found rework mud plug and recheck for vapors until zero are
detected.
Check upstream vents to ensure they are open and free of product.
Perform hot work.

The following items are to be checked during hot work.

Step
1
2

3
4

Action
Mud plugs should be inspected just prior to each work step.
Plug should be inspected and adjusted if needed after each work
step (bevel then inspect, grind then inspect, clamp installation
then inspect).
Movement of pipe section with installed mud plug should be
minimized.
During lineup of the new pipe to existing pipe, jarring or
hammering of pipe clamps should be kept to a minimum as not to
dislodge or move the mud plug.
If at any time while making tie-in welds, there is a concern with
the integrity of the mud plug, STOP all hot work.

Page 3 of 4
ATTENTION: Printed copies should be used with caution. The user of this document must ensure the current approved version of
the document is being used. This copy was printed on 6/4/2010 1:17:00 PM TNL-SFT-10015-PRD.

Document No.: TNL-SFT-10015-PRD

MPL Mud Plug Procedure

Effective Date: 09/01/2010

Marathon Pipe Line LLC

Controlled Microsoft Word Document
Document Number
Document Title
ESAR2141
MPL Energy Isolation Mud Plug Procedure
Revision Number
Effective Date
Revision Date
Records Retention
0
12/31/2009
12/31/2009
ENG/CNSTS/120B
Review Cycle
Next Review Date
Custodial Organization
3
12/31/2012
ES&R Department
Document Author
Document Approver
T&L Safety Focus Team
ES&R Manager
Revision History
Revision Revision
Description of Change
Number
Date
0
1
2
3

12/31/09

Initial Publication

Page 4 of 4
ATTENTION: Printed copies should be used with caution. The user of this document must ensure the current approved version of
the document is being used. This copy was printed on 6/4/2010 1:17:00 PM TNL-SFT-10015-PRD.