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Introduction.. ...2 Installment methods applied to marine pipelines... ..3 Tow-In ..3 S-Lay Method...6 J-Lay Method8 Reel Lay Method10 Beach Pull Method. 11
Pipeline Functional Requirement. 12 Pipeline Authorities Requirements....... 12 OSHA Requirements. 13 OSHAs Mission... ..13 Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA). ..13 Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Industry Implementation of Effective Public Awareness Programs...13
HSE Requirements.14 Pipelines safety regulations 1996: Guidance on Pipeline Operator Background.14 Guidance on determining the operator14 Notification to the HSE of the pipeline operator.14 1
"Control over the conveyance of fluid"...15 Ownership...15 Different operators for different parts of a pipeline...15 Notification before construction and operation: initial and subsequent intended operator(s)16 Contracts and commercial arrangements....16 References to pipeline operator under legislation other than PSR...16 Application.. 17 References ... ...19
Marine pipelines can be divided into different types. Relatively short and small diameter pipelines that transport crude hydrocarbons from a wellhead to a production or separation facility are designated flowlines, whereas the term export pipelines is applied to the lines that transport the produced hydrocarbons. Often small diameter service lines will transport auxiliary media (e.g. corrosion inhibitors, lift gas or injection water) in the other direction, whereas umbilicals provide power and signalling. Interfield pipelines is the generic term for lines used to transfer oil, gas or water between offshore installations within a limited area. Transmission pipelines or trunklines transport large quantities of oil or gas from an offshore complex to shore or between two landmasses. A pipeline system is defined as a pipeline section extending from an inlet point, typically an offshore platform or an onshore compressor station, to an outlet point, typically another offshore platform or an onshore receiver station, and the interfaces of the pipeline design normally follow this definition. Excep- tional cases are spur lines connected to a main trunkline by tees or wyes, and pipelines terminating at subsea completions. Normally, facilities to launch vehicles (pigs) for cleaning, batching, and internal inspection of the pipeline are provided at the inlet point, whereas the outlet point has the facilities to receive these tools. Exceptions may include small diameter flowlines or service lines, or pipelines transporting noncorrosive media. Figure 1.1 presents a schematic outline of a typical pipeline system, in this case a transmission pipeline from an offshore platform to an onshore treatment plant. The marine pipeline system design and installation covers the marine pipeline proper, platform risers, tie-in and spool connection parts, hydrostatic testing, possible subsea valve or branch assemblies, the corresponding protection works, as well as the activities conducted in association with start-up of production. A number of areas may be identified for special emphasis, such as crossings of other services (cables, pipelines), particularly hazardous zones of intense fishing or marine traffic, particularly sensitive environmental areas, etc. As mentioned above, the construction of marine pipelines took off in the 1970s, and literature on the technology started to appear in the next decade, a prominent example being Offshore Pipeline Design, Analysis, and Methods (Mouselli 1981). A few years later Advances in Offshore Oil and Gas Pipeline Technology (de la Mare 1985) followed a collection of contributions on various aspects of the subject. During the subsequent decades, however, the development of marine pipeline technology has 3
mainly been reported at conferences, such as the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), the biennial International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering (OMAE), the annual Offshore Pipeline Technology (OPT) European Seminar, and the biennial Pipe- line Protection Conference. Other sources of information are lecture courses but, like conference proceedings, the documentation is not readily available to the public. Recent exceptions are Pipelines and Risers (Yong Bai 2001), which gives a comprehensive overview of design methods based upon two decades of research and teaching experience, and Subsea Pipeline Engineering (Palmer and King 2004). The latter scholarly monograph covers much the same ground as this book, but has less emphasis on practical construction issues.
S-Lay Method
This method is quiet time-saving and can be done in vary depths. S-Lay refers to the pipeline shape forming S during the installation. This method requires lay-barge or other vessel designed to pipelaying. Pipe is eased off the stern of the vessel as the boat moves forward. The pipe curves downward from the stern through the water until it reaches the seafloor. As more pipe is welded in the line and eased off the boat, the pipe forms the shape of an S in the water. Stingers, measuring up to 91 meters long, extend from the stern to support the pipe as it is moved into the water, as well as control the curvature of the installation. Some pipe-lay barges have adjustable stingers, which can be shortened or lengthened according to thebeing waterlowered into the Pipe depth. water via a stinger for S-lay installation
In S-Lay method, pipe receive more stress, especially at the bending (curve). This may become a concern due to pipe-cracking.
J-Lay Method
J-Lay method put less stress on the pipe during installation, since there are only one bend (curve) forming the shape of J. This method inserts the pipeline in an almost vertical position. Pipe is lifted by a tall tower on the boat/barge, then inserted into the sea. The pipe bends once, under the water, taking on the shape of J.
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particularly when landfall construction is included. For trans-boundary projects, typically large gas transmission lines, the authorities approval becomes increasingly complex. Particular complications may arise when during the approval process other users of the sea claim that they will incur either temporary or in some instances permanent loss of income following the construction of a pipeline. Authorities will listen to the parties and normally secure due process. In particular, fishing organisations in many countries are very vociferous in defending their interests. There are regional differences and therefore the conditions at the pipeline location must be examined. As an example, Denmark has a well structured agency based system representing other parties, whereas some other countries do not. Even in a mature oil and gas producing area such as the UK, no such structured system exists, and there seem to be changes on a project to project basis. The establishment of agreed procedures for handling third party claims should therefore be given high priority. A recommendation to project owners would therefore be to take very seriously the task of processing permissions and approvals for everything from survey operations to construction vessels with four-berth cabins. From an objective point of view it is indisputable that a large diameter gas pipeline, passing a sea area used by or of potential interest to others, requires careful planning. Therefore, in most countries authorities may influence the framework of the bases for design.
OSHA Requirements
OSHAs Mission
Congress created OSHA to assure safe and healthful conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education and compliance assistance. Under the OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (PSIA) (180 days). Provides discrimination protection for employees who report violations of the federal laws regarding pipeline safety and security or who refuse to violate such provisions.
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recently-issued consensus standard, American Petroleum Institute's API RP 1162, Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators, before December 17, 2003, to demonstrate compliance with the PSIA. The standard also contains provisions for maintaining safe conditions. Pipelines that carry hazardous materials must blocked or flushed and cleaned to prevent hazardous materials discharging into a space. The space must be tested periodically to ensure that safe working conditions are maintained. Additionally, work operations must be halted and the space exited when conditions change and the space no longer meets the criteria specified by the Marine Chemist or Coast Guard authorized person for safe work in or on the space
HSE Requirements
Pipelines safety regulations 1996: Guidance on Pipeline Operator Purpose
This guidance supplements the HSE Pipeline Safety Regulations (PSR) guidance document L82 on the meaning of "pipeline operator". It is applicable to both onshore and offshore pipelines.
Background
The arrangements for operating pipeline systems are often complex. There may be different pipeline operators of parts of the system and complicated commercial arrangements. This sometimes results in confusion over who the pipeline operator is.
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Some duties apply to all pipeline operators but if the pipeline is a major accident hazard pipeline (MAHP) there is an additional duty to prepare a major accident prevention document (MAPD). The operator could prepare this through its own resources or through others. But it must have sufficient competence and authority to make proper decisions and maintain control of the safety and integrity of the pipeline. Therefore a holding company with no employees and set up purely to hold the pipeline assets could not be the pipeline operator. Where there is a parent body with several subsidiaries or a joint venture with several partners, then the various parties should decide between them who will be the pipeline operator.
all foreseeable hazards relating to the pipeline with the potential to cause a major accident have been identified and the risks arising from those hazards evaluated; the safety management system is adequate to minimise the risks of a major accident; the design and construction of a pipeline has been carried out properly to ensure that fluid will be conveyed safely; the pipeline can be operated and controlled safely, including procedures under emergency conditions; they can ensure that the pipeline integrity remains secure over time to allow continued safe conveyance of fluid; and they have sufficient control to decide what fluid to convey, and under what physical conditions.
Joint ventures and similar arrangements will need to agree who can make these demonstrations.
Ownership
Owning a pipeline or the fluids conveyed in it does not, by itself, confer control over the conveyance of fluid in a pipeline. A person may be the pipeline operator and not own either the pipeline or the fluids. The owner of a pipeline, or a consortium of owners, may appoint a person to operate the pipeline. The person appointed would have to satisfy requirements outlined above.
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existing unmodified pipeline with two or more adjoining operators along its length offshore import pipeline entering UK waters offshore pipelines feeding a beach terminal with operatorship changing along the length of the overall pipeline
Notification before construction and operation: initial and subsequent intended operator(s)
Once the person who is to have control over the conveyance of fluid in a MAH pipeline is known then that person is the pipeline operator. Where that person is not yet known, it is the person who commissions the design of the pipeline or (where such work has started) the person who commissioned the design and construction who is the pipeline operator. This pipeline operator must notify the HSE before construction of a major accident hazard pipeline can commence, (PSR regulation 20). Before the design of a MAH pipeline is complete the pipeline operator must prepare a Major Accident Prevention Document (MAPD) (PSR regulation 23). If there is a change of pipeline operator through the commissioning, construction and operating phases, that change should be notified under PSR Regulation 20.
Other legislation, such as the Petroleum Act 1998 and associated works authorisations for offshore pipelines, use the term operator. These may not establish who the operator is under PSR.
Application
Other Kinds of Marine Installations Because of its flexibility, light-weight and toughness PE piping has also emerged as a choice material for other types of marine applications. The basic design and installation principles described above for the float-and-sink method are, with some modifications, also valid for other types of marine applications. A brief description of some other kinds of marine applications is presented in the paragraphs that follow. Winter Installations Where ice conditions permit, PE pipe may be submerged from the surface of a frozen lake or river. After a long pipe length is assembled by means of heat fusion it can be easily pulled alongside the right-of-way. The heat fusion process needs to be performed in an adequately heated tent, or other shelter, to ensure fusion joint quality. Once the heat fusion has been completed, the ballast weights can be mounted. An ice trench is then cut with a saw, the ice blocks are moved out of the way and the pipeline is pushed into the trench. The submersion is carried out in accordance with the procedure previously described. Installations in Marshy Soils Installation of pipe in marshy or swampy soils represents one of the most demanding applications for any design engineer. Generally, marshy soils do not provide the firm and stable foundation that is required by rigid, more strain sensitive traditional piping materials. Due to its flexibility and butt fusion joining technology, PE piping can readily adapt itself to shifting and uneven support without sacrifice of joint integrity. As soil conditions vary, the PE pipe can accommodate these irregularities by movement within the fluid-like soil envelope. Of course, care must be taken to consider any line, grade or external hydrostatic design requirements of the pipeline based on the operating conditions of the system. However, with these design aspects in mind, it is possible to utilize the engineering features of PE pipe to design a cost-effective and stable piping system that can provide years of satisfactory service in this highly variable environment. In certain situations, the high water table that is characteristic of these soils can
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result in significant buoyant forces that may raise the pipe from the trench in which it has been installed. When this possibility presents itself, a ballast system may be designed using the same guidelines presented in this chapter which can prevent or minimize pipe flotation. Water Aeration Systems Smaller diameter submerged PE pipe, with small holes drilled into the top of the pipe has been used for the de-icing of marinas. Compressed air that bubbles out of these pipes raises warmer water that melts ice that forms on the water surface. When the system is operating, the submerged pipe is full of air, and the ballast weight design should be adequate to prevent the line from floating. Ballast also needs to be spaced frequently enough to minimize the upward deflection that results from the buoyancy force. Dredging PE piping is a natural choice for use in marine dredging operations. Its flexibility, combined with its light weight, buoyant nature and overall durability, provides for a piping material which has been successfully used for years in the demanding rigors of dredging operations. Generally, these types of applications require that the HDPE pipe be fused into manageable lengths that can be easily maneuvered within the dredge site. These individual lengths are then mechanically joined together using flanges or quick-connect type fittings to create a pipeline structure of suitable length for the project. As the dredge operation proceeds, pipe segments may be added or removed to allow for optimum transport of the dredge material. Dredging operations can vary significantly in type of slurry, scale or operation and overall design. As such, a detailed analysis of dredge design using HDPE pipe is beyond the scope of this writing. However, the reader should note that as the particulate size and nature varies from project to project, it is possible to ballast the pipe so that it still floats and can be managed from the surface using tow boats or booms. This is accomplished by analysis of the composition of the dredge material and the design and attachment of suitable floats to the HDPE discharge or transport pipe. Temporary Floating Lines PE piping has also been used for temporary crossings of rivers and lakes. Its natural buoyancy allows a PE pipeline to float on or near the water surface. The principal design and installation requirement for floating line applications is to work out a system to maintain the pipe in its intended location when it is subject to currents, winds and wave action. To this end, cable restraints are generally used. The cables need to hold the pipe by means of stable collars that do not slip along the axis of the pipe and that cause no damage to the pipe material.
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References:
http://www.kartmarine.com http://www.welschs.cc/reel.html http://www.rigzone.com/training/insight.asp? insight_id=311&c_id=19
http://www.i.sereneenergy.org/i/Design-andInstallation-of-Marine-Pipelines-Introduction.html http://www.i.sereneenergy.org/i/Offshore-PipelineFunctional-Requirement.html
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