3p_marine terminal pipelines

Inspecting

Marine Terminal Pipelines

with 3P Services bidirectional inspection tools

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0049 591 71007 0

mailto:[email protected]

www.3p-services.com February 2008

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In line inspection of pipelines using high resolution, instrumented "pigs“ based on MFL (Magnetic Flux Leakage) or UT (ultra-sonic) technologies is now a necessary diagnostic tool for responsible operators of transportation pipeline networks. Marine loading lines, such as those connection export or import terminals with SPM/PLEM combinations located some kilometres offshore, have often been constructed before this inspection technique was available and have consequently been considered “un-piggable”. Alone among the in line inspection industry, 3P Services have developed over the last several years a technology of bi-directional MFL inspection. Our capability is unique and has been used with success by major international oil companies, including:

- ExxonMobil - BP - ConocoPhilips - Ocensa

FREE SWIMMING BI-DIRECTIONAL PIGGING

Currently, inspection of marine loading lines is often achieved using tethered tools. However, there are some serious disadvantages associated with the tethered approach including range limitations; drag in bends, potential damage to the inside of the pipeline from the tether, the pipeline must be decommissioned and possibly incomplete inspection data. Further, cleaning represents a difficulty of its own when no pigs can be applied. 3P’s technique is a free swimming tool that is pumped from the launching position to the PLEM and then back to the launching position.

Launching a 42" Bidi MFL


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TAILOR MADE TOOLS AND PROJECT ENGINEERING Every marine loading line is unique and poses specific challenges to pigging. 3P fully assesses each line and assembles each inspection tool specifically for the line it will inspect. The tools proposed for each inspection mission can be configured to pass 1.5D bends as well as full bore, un-barred Tees. These BiDi inspection tools can further negotiate small angle mitre bends.

Small angle mitre bend incorporated into a 3P test loop Preparing a 36" Bidi MFL for a final pump test

Every tool is assembled, and tested, before mobilisation. Client representatives are encouraged to witness these final tests.

Minimal MODIFICATIONS TO PIPELINES OR TRAPS Often we do not require any modifications to be made to the traps, the pipelines or to the PLEM. When modifications are unavoidable we can work together with the Client to minimise time.


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COMBO TOOLS The inspection tools proposed may be Combo tools, configured to carry GEO geometric, XYZ inertial mapping and MFL metal loss sensors. The concept of assembling special Combo tools for specific projects is common practice to 3P Services. We have substantial experience of successfully mounting the different sensor systems on the same pig chassis, and special configuration of the on board data management systems to acquire and store the sensor systems’ output.

SMALL DIAMETER EXPERIENCE Since its foundation, 3P Services has established a leading position in delivering high resolution inspection to small diameter pipelines. We can now provide proven solutions for 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 7”, 8” and upwards. These have been successfully deployed both on- and off-shore. The world’s inventory of small diameter pipelines is substantial and contains many quirky obstacles to pigging. Our expertise of developing successful solutions to such challenges can save operators considerable effort and investment.

Loading a 14" MFL Bidi inspection tool in the launch trap

3" MFL tool

4" MFL Bidi Tool prior to launch 16" MFL Bidi prior or launch


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PIGGING PROCEDURES AND FIELD OPERATIONS The challenges posed are not limited to designing the pigs to negotiate specific pipeline features and traps. Each marine loading line’s particular configuration also obliges a unique solution to pipeline operations during pigging. 3P’s experience of inspecting marine lines includes running in crude oil, product and water. The Operator may want to perform the inspection project in crude or product. This would potentially reduce costs and complications of decommissioning the lines, flooding with sea water, post pigging de-watering and disposal of the contaminated water. We work closely with every client to develop an optimised pigging procedure.

NAVIGATION In this application, it is critical to monitor the progress of a pig during all phases of its trip. Most important is to control the approach of the pig to the off shore end of the pipeline and to stop it at a pre-determined position. For this purpose, we have developed special sub-sea antennae to detect the arrival of the pigs. These have been proven in previous projects to be extremely reliable, since they use different independent pig detection technologies at the same time and include redundancies. All required supporting equipment, like sub-sea and land markers and pig locators for use on shore or by divers, will be supplied by 3P Services. It is further important to monitor several pumping parameters and to have clear in field communications between PLEM, pumping spread, and pigging control. If no flow meters are installed, 3P Services will mobilise appropriate flow meter equipment for temporary use.

A 3P field engineer inside TLU (Tanker 3P subsea antennae on deck an access vessel ready to be deployed Loading Unit) floating above a PLEM and monitoring readout of the subsea antenna


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Deploying subsea antennae

PRE-INSPECTION CLEANING Proving and cleaning pigging runs have, in previous projects, been very useful as practise for the overall project team (including client, 3P Field Engineers, and, occasionally, other personnel) in the step by step procedures of pig navigation. We are prepared (and we recommend) to include pre-inspection cleaning pigging in our scope of work.

Not recommended… but! This 3P MFL tool was heavily fouled by paraffin and yet still delivered a full inspection data set with results subsequently confirmed by excavation.

In any case, the cleanliness standard required for a successful 3P high resolution BiDi MFL inspection is much less than that required for tethered or BiDi UT tools.


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FAST OPERATIONS

Time is invariably a critical element due to tanker and refinery scheduling requirements. Our proposal is based on 24 hour working. We will mobilise sufficient crew for at least 2 shifts. The actual inspection pigging runs should not require more that is 1 day per pipeline. Even if 3P does the pre-inspection cleaning runs, we do not anticipate that the duration of field operations will extend dramatically.

Night launch of a 36" Bidi MFL

INSPECTION PERFORMANCE 3P’s BiDi MFL is a full, high resolution inspection. Contrary to tethered UT, we fully inspect the entire circumference of the pipe. You have complete discrimination between internal and external defects. Compared to other UT tools, the 3P BiDi MFL inspection provides a much fuller report with capability to detect and size small diameter pitting (as small as 3mm diameter), corrosion in welds (girth, seam and spiral), other weld anomalies, and metal objects outside the pipeline (for example eccentric casings). In addition, 3P’s BiDi MFL actually inspects while travelling in both directions, so there is a double data set. Especially in these marine lines, where any intervention to investigate defects is so costly, having a double data set brings a powerful boost to the confidence in the accuracy of the inspection data.

3p_marine terminal pipelines

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