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CHAPTER 6
Topside process equipment
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REVIEWED DOCUMENTS
Topside process
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STEP 0
Define system level to
be analyzed STOP
LIFE EXTENSION
PROCESS
No

STEP 1 Repair/
Collection of information upgrade? Yes

No

STEP 2 Accepted
Today status evaluation ?

Yes

No

STEP 3 Yes
Repair/
upgrade?
1. Information collection
for future operation
2. RISK assessment No

Accepted
?

Yes
STEP 4
Mitigation plan

STEP 5
Implementation
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MAIN MATERIAL SELECTION

Topside process – NORSOK M-001
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Step 1 - Topside process
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POSSIBLE DEGRADATION MECHANISMS

Step 2 - Topside process
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STEP 2
Today status

STEP 3
Risk Assessment
STEP 0
Define system level to
be analyzed STOP
No

STEP 1 Repair/
Collection of information upgrade? Yes

No

STEP 2 Accepted
Today status evaluation ?

Yes

No

STEP 3 Yes
Repair/
upgrade?
1. Information collection
for future operation
2. RISK assessment No

Accepted
?

Yes
STEP 4
Mitigation plan

STEP 5
Implementation
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STEP 4
Mitigation – Actual methods

Upgrade
n Repair and/or replacement of components or complete piping
including coating and insulation.
Monitoring
n Monitoring process and operation parameters is an important
mitigation action for the process equipment – most important:
- Pressure and temperature
- Content of solids (sand)
- Oxygen and chloride content
- Fluid composition (inclusive water content)
n For rotating equipment: vibration analysis
n Corrosion monitoring
n Sand detection and/or erosion monitoring
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STEP 4
Mitigation – Actual methods, cont.

Inspection
n The inspection program for subsea pipelines and flowlines is often
based on a RBI analysis
n Visual inspection most frequently used
n Several different NDT techniques are available
Maintenance
n The output from the LE analysis can also be an update of the
maintenance program.
Testing
n Pressure testing can be used to verify that the systems fulfill the
defined pressure requirement. Testing is also used to control the
functionality of valves (e.g. safety valves).
New barriers
n Is an option topside; e.g fire protective coatings
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LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
Topside process – selected areas
n Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)
n Fatigue of small bore piping due to vibration
n Systems for estimation of remaining fatigue life of
components under varying loads
n Inspection and monitoring methods for composite
materials
n Effective NDT methods
n Non Invasive Inspection (NII) of pressure vessels
n Effect of field souring (H2S) integrity of materials?
n Inspection and monitoring of wear on pumps and
compressors
n Optimisation of maintenance and inspection
n More reliable estimation of material degradation through
combining modelling, monitoring and inspection
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LIFE EXTENSION ANALYSIS

Example
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LIFE EXTENSION ANALYSIS

Example
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LIFE EXTENSION ANALYSIS

Example
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LIFE EXTENSION ANALYSIS

Example
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LE ANALYSIS
Topside process equipment
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LE ANALYSIS
Topside process equipment
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LE ANALYSIS
Topside process equipment
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LE ANALYSIS
Topside process equipment
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LE ANALYSIS
Topside process equipment