Inspection Philosophy

Inspection is required to ensure the integrity of pipeline and that is safe and fit for
service.

Pipeline needs inspection due to following problematic conditions

 Corrosion (Inside and outside)

 Cracks
 Dents
 Gouges
 Hydrates
 Wax deposition
 Asphaltine deposition
 Sand deposition

Following methods can be used for inspection of In service pipeline

 Visual Inspection (Subsea ROV Diver)

 Cathodic Protection survey
 Corrosion Probes and Corrosion Coupons
 Ultra sonic Thickness
 Radiography
 Magnetic flux
 Thermography
 Intelligent pigging (Ultrasonic, Magnetic Flux based)

Out of the above mentioned inspection method; Pigging is the most advanced
method and best possible choice to deal with the Pipeline problems. It is very costly
about $500 K are spent as per inspection. The millions of dollars production is shut
down during the Pigging operation. It should be considered as the last possible
solution and should be done before the production commencement and after 5
years of span for proper inspection of pipeline.
Design Considerations:
There were number of factors which needed to be considered in the design of
subsea pig launcher.

 Launching capacity (capacity to handle number of pigs i.e three)

 Method deployment,type of installation vessel (ROV rather than surface
umbilical pig release)
 Control philosophy
 Sunsea connection to the pipeline ( connector for pipeline and kicker line
would require accurate alignment between connectors and manifold to
orientate the seal mechanism prior to engagement and locking)
 Pig launch mechanism ( ROV based released mechanism, after every 5 years
and 3 pigs train used)
 Pig drive fluid (produced hydrocarbon from the manifold via kicker line)
 Structural support
 Guidance/soft landing system
 Environmental and safety issues
 Operational philosophy
 Capex/Opex balance

System Constraints:
Pig Drive Fluids:

There are two drive fluid requirements regarding the pig launcher operation;
insertion of pig into the pipeline (launching) and pig drive, used for driving the pig to
the platform reciever. Four potential fluid drive options were identified for
considered, some more suited to launching than to drive.

 Produced Hydrocarbons
 Methanol
 Sea Water
 Nitrogen
Produced Hydrocarbons:

Produced hydrocarbons from the manifold had the advantage of avilability and least
disruption to production, being diverted from the well bay only when required for
pig launching. Pipework would, however be subjected to relatively long periods of
inaction when pigging operation were not being carried out.Methanol flushing
should be provided to ensure the likelihood of blockage of these lines is kept to a
minimum. A further disadvantage centres on the need to avoid hydrocarbon spillage
into the sea when installing and retrieving the launcher.The traget is zero release of
contaminants into the environment.

Methanol:

The launching medium would have the least combined impact in relation to pipeline
operation and environmental concerns.Its potential use has adverse handling and
commercial aspects if transported and injected from the installation vessel but has
minimum impact if manifold fluid is used. The flowrate of methanol from the
manifold should be high to provide effective pigging. A disadvantage of this is need
of subsea pumps and power needed to operate these.

Sea Water:

Obvious advantages due to availabilty but the risk of hydrate formation and the
introduction of oxygenated water into carbon steel pipeline outweighs this
advantage even with addition of chemical inhibitors. Another disadvantage is high
cost associated with heating and insulating the pipeline if sea water is used.

Nitrogen:

No environmental implications but the required stored volume is too large for
guranteed sequential launching of the pigs.
Launching and Receiving of Pig

At present according to my understanding and observation it is decided to Launch

the Pig from the subsea Manifold and receive it at the topside of Platform. It is also
decided to propel the pig through the hydrocarbon gas.

 For Launching
Firstly close the Main line Trap valve,
Then close the kicker trap valve
Put the pig into the launcher
Partially open the kicker trap valve
Then open the Main line Trap valve and the kicker trap valve
Partially close the Main line Bypass valve

 For receiving
Open Main line Bypass valve
Close Main line Trap valve
Close Bypass Trap valve
Receive the Pig

Main Trap Valve

Bypass
Kicker Valve Valve