YPF, the Seeker for this Innocentive Challenge, is seeking innovative solutions, technologies, or devices suitable for removing internal deposits from pipelines used in its upstream operations in Argentina. Deposits such as paraffins, sediments, scale, sludge, and hydrocarbon residues can restrict flow, increase pressure losses, reduce operational efficiency, and affect product quality.
This Challenge offers the opportunity to demonstrate a practical cleaning approach that restores pipeline performance while minimizing downtime for maintenance, operational risks, resource consumption, and overall costs of intervention. Solutions must be suitable for existing infrastructure, including pipelines without dedicated, fixed ‘pigging’ facilities.
Approaches based on or similar to ice slurry cleaning, also known as ‘Ice Pigging™’ (SUEZ Group), are of particular interest. However, YPF also welcomes alternative approaches that can demonstrate reduced water/waste impact or superior cleaning effectiveness, operational flexibility, safety, and cost efficiency.
Successful proposals will comprehensively detail the cleaning mechanism, deposits and operating conditions it can address, infrastructure and resource requirements, and a credible description of the intended proof-of-concept (POC) activity for Solvers who are invited to run a potential operational validation in collaboration with YPF.
Collaboration Opportunity
This is a Scouting Challenge seeking a partner or supplier to provide systems and expertise to solve YPF’s business challenge; the Solver is invited to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by YPF with the goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.
Awards:- $20,000
Deadline:- 19-11-2026
