PETROVIETNAM GAS CORPORATION

PETROVIETNAM SOUTH-EAST GAS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOARD

PROJECT NAM CON SON 2 GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

STAGE UPDATING FEASIBILITY STUDY – PHASE 2

OFFSHORE PIPELINE INSTALLATION

PHILOSOPHY

A1 28/09/16 Issued for IDC

Rev Date Description PVE PVGAS

.
Document Number:
PV ENGINEERING PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001

J.S.C Number of pages: 18

(including cover pages)
 PROJECT NAM CON SON 2 GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

STAGE UPDATING FEASIBILITY STUDY – PHASE 2

OFFSHORE PIPELINE INSTALLATION

PHILOSOPHY

A1 28/09/16 Issued for IDC VTT NQP DHQ NNT

Prepared Checked Approved
Rev. Date Description PM
by by by
Document Number:
PV ENGINEERING J.S.C
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
 NAM CON SON 2 GAS PIPELINE PROJECT
UPDATING FEASIBILITY STUDY – PHASE 2
OFFSHORE PIPELINE INSTALLATION PHILOSOPHY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................4

1.1 Overall of Project......................................................................................4

1.2 NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project – Phase 1..........................................................5

1.3 NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project – Phase 2..........................................................6

2. PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT..................................................................7

3. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS................................................8

3.1 Definitions................................................................................................8

3.2 Abbreviations............................................................................................8

4. CODES, SPECIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES....................................9

5. PIPELINE INSTALLATION METHODS................................................9

5.1 General.....................................................................................................9

5.2 S-lay method...........................................................................................11

5.3 J-lay method...........................................................................................12

5.4 Reel lay method......................................................................................13

5.5 Select Installation Method for Nam Con Son 2 - Phase 2 Pipeline................14

6. PIPELINE INSTALLATION ANALYSIS..............................................15

7. SANDWAVE MOBILITY ASSESSMENT..............................................15

8. SEABED INTERVENTION.................................................................16

9. SURVEYING.....................................................................................17

9.1 Installation Phase....................................................................................17

9.2 Operation Phase......................................................................................17

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overall of Project

The investment policy of Investment Construction Project on NCS2 gas
pipeline was approved by the Minister according to Letter No. 19/VPCP-KTN
dated 04/01/2011, and PetroVietnam’s Board of Directors approved this
project according to Decision No. 801/QD-DKVN dated 27/01/2011. The
purpose of this project is to gathering and transport gas from the Hai Thach –
Moc Tinh fields (Block 05-2, 05-3), Thien Ung - Mang Cau fields (Block 04-3)
and other potential gas fields of Nam Con Son and Cuu Long basins to provide
gas to consumers in the South-East region.
- Project Title: Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline;
- Owner: PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PVGAS);
The Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline Project consists of the following items:
- The Offshore pipeline is approximately 325.5km, 26 inches to transport 2-
phase gas with the designed capacity is 18.4 million m 3 of gas and 1,320
tons of condensate/ day (the transportation capacity of dry gas will be 7.0
billion m3 / year), about 325km 26” pipeline starting from the Hai Thach –
Moc Tinh field, passes Thien Ung - Mang Cau, Bach Ho and then runs to a
Landfall Point at Long Hai. The pipeline systems including: Tie-in for import
gas near Hai Thach platform, connecting to Thien Ung platform, tie-in for
future fields near the Thien Ung and Dai Hung fields and tie-in in Bach Ho
region.
- The onshore pipeline including about 9km 26” pipeline from landfall point
at Long Hai to GPP2 and about 30km 30” pipeline for transferring sale gas
from GPP2 to Phu My GDC and Phuoc Hoa LBV station, extension of Phu
My Gas Distribution Center;
- The Gas Processing Plant 2 (GPP2) 10 MMSCMD is located in Dinh Co, and
two liquid product pipelines (LPG and Condensate) is approximately 25km
from outlet of GPP2 to transport to Thi Vai Terminal and 03 LBV Stations.
- Place of construction: Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

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OVERALL BLOCK DIAGRAM

NCS2 GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

Thi Vai Phu My

Terminal GDC

Liquid (Condensate & LPG)

Pipelines
Length: 24.9 km 3rd LBV Phuoc Hoa
Diameter: 6" & 10" LBV
DP: 49.1 Barg
DT: -10/65º C (LPG)
0/65º C (Condensate)
2nd LBV

Offshore Gas Pipeline 1st LBV

Length: 325.5 km
Diameter: 26'’
Offshore Onshore
Pipeline DP: 160 barg Onshore Sales Gas
DT: -10/70º C Pipeline
26", 0.3 km Length: 29.6 km
Diameter: 30'’
LFP 26", 7.8 km Pipeline DP: 71 barg
GPP2 DT: -10/65ºC

GPP2
Landfall Station
DC: 20.0 MMSCMD
DP: 160 barg
DT: -10/70º C
TU-NCS2 Pipeline
Length: 5.8 km
Diameter: 26'’
Pipeline DP: 160 barg
DT: -10/70º C

future
Bach Ho Platform
DP: 139 barg
MOP: 125 barg
DT: 70º C
Bach Ho
Platform

Dai Hung
Hai Thach Platform Platform DP: Design Pressure
DP: 160 barg MOP: Max. Operating Pressure
MOP: 151 barg DC: Design Capacity
DT: -10/70º C SSIV DT: Design Temperature
GDC: Gas Distribution Center

SSIV NCS2's scope

Thien Ung Thien Ung Platform
KP 3.5 Platform DP: 160 barg
BDPOC’s scope MOP: 151 barg
Hai Thach DT: 70ºC
Platform

Figure 1.1: Overall layout of NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project

1.2 NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project – Phase 1

NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project – Phase 1 was approved by PVN according to
Decree No. 815/NQ-DKVN dated 11/02/2014 and approved by PVGAS
according to Decision No. 213/QD-KVN dated 26/02/2014 in order to gather
gas from Dai Hung and Thien Ung at low pressure operation condition with
402.6 million dollars of the investment cost, including:
- 151 km pipeline (26 inches) from Thien Ung to the tie-in point (KP 207 +
474) connecting to Bach Ho (BK4A).
- WYE tie-in (Tie-in Module) at the connection point of NCS2 – Thien Ung.
- WYE tie-in to connect the future gas resources.

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- Valves and spool (Tie-in Module) at KP 207.5 to connect NCS2- BK4A.

The layout of Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline - Phase 1 is shown as the below
figure:

SƯ TỬ VÀNG
DINH CỐ

RẠNG ĐÔNG
CCP BẠCH H Ổ
11,8 km đoạn ống kết nối NCS2
với Bạch Hổ tại BK4A
Vị trí kết nối cũ
(Barred tee)
GĐ1 của Dự án NCS2
(khoảng 151 km)

THIÊN ƯNG
Vị trí kết nối mới
(PLEM tie-in)

ĐẠI NGUYỆT
Khoảng 20 km tuyến ống 16”
từ Đại Hùng về Thiên Ưng Đ/ô NCS2
ĐẠI HÙNG
theo FS đã
được phê
CÁ CHÓ-GẤU CHÚA duyệt

RỒNG VĨ ĐẠI KP75 HẢI THẠCH

RỒNG ĐÔI

LAN TÂY
THIÊN NGA
DỪA

Figure 1.2: Layout of Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline - Phase 1

1.3 NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project – Phase 2

According to the Field Development Plan (FDP) done by Cuu Long JOC, Su Tu
Trang (STT) gas field will be full filed developed and is expected to operate in
the quarter 4 of 2019, SV-DN field (based on the plan of Idenmistu) is
expected to operate after 2019 with the exploited gas capacity that is exceed
the capacity of BH-LH gas pipeline and NCS2 gas pipeline – phase 1.
Therefore, there are the needs of NCS2 gas pipeline project – Phase 2
investment to ensure the demand for transporting and processing STT, DB, SV
gas and other potential fields on shore as from the end of 2019, and also
completing the strategic objectives of NCS2 gas pipeline project approved by
PVN.
Based on PVN’s conduct, PVGAS is responsible to execute the NCS2 Gas
Pipeline Project – Phase 2, the investment scopes of NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project
– Phase 2 intend as follows:
- The offshore gas pipeline including 117 km 26” pipeline from KP 207+474
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to landfall point at Long Hai and approximately 60km 26” pipeline from
Hai Thach Platform to NCS2 gas pipeline – phase 1;
- The onshore pipeline including about 9km 26” pipeline from landfall point
at Long Hai to GPP2 and about 30km 30” pipeline for transferring sale gas
from GPP2 to Phu My GDC and Phuoc Hoa LBV station, extension of Phu
My Gas Distribution Center;
- The Gas Processing Plant 2 (GPP2) is located in Dinh Co, and two liquid
product pipelines (LPG and Condensate) is approximately 25km from outlet
of GPP2 to transport to Thi Vai Terminal and 03 LBV Stations.

DINH CỐ SƯ TỬ VÀNG

RẠNG ĐÔNG
SƯ TỬ TRẮNG - CPP

CCP-B H

B K-4A

KP 227.5
GĐ1 của Dự án NCS2
(khoảng 151 km 26”)

(PLEM tie-in) B K-TNG

KP 207+474

KP 64+170
(WYE tie-in)

SAO VÀNG CCP

ĐẠI HÙNG

ĐẠI NGUYỆT

CÁ CHÓ-GẤU CHÚA

KP75 HẢI THẠCH

RỒNG VĨ ĐẠI

RỒNG ĐÔI

LAN TÂY
THIÊN NG A
2 DỪA

Figure 1.3: Layout of NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project – Phase 2 (Offshore part)

2. PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT
This document contains a review of the installation and construction methods
for the 26” offshore pipeline sections of NCS2 – Phase 2 project. It comprises
a compilation of Installation and Construction Methodology to be used for the
Basis of Design of the pipeline system.
This document and other project related documentation and activities shall
ensure that practicable the Nam Con Son 2 – Phase 2 Gas Pipeline Project are
designed, constructed and implemented in a safe manner and minimizes
adverse environmental effects associated with the project.

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In addition, the sandwave mobility study philosophies shall be metioned in this

document. Therefore, a recommendation on a suitable and economical seabed
intervention method can be made during installation stage.

3. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

3.1 Definitions

PROJECT Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline – Phase 2

OWNER PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation
REPRESENTATIVE of PetroVietnam South-East Gas Project Management
OWNER/ COMPANY Board (PVGAS SEG)
PVE/ CONTRACTOR Petrovietnam Engineering Consultancy Joint Stock
Corporation
………………………

3.2 Abbreviations

API American Petroleum Institute

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
CAPEX Captital Expense
DP Derrick Pipe
DNV Det Norske Veritas
EPC Engineering-Procurement-Construction
GDC Gas Distribution Center
MMSCMD Millions Standard Cubic Meter Per Day
NCS Nam Con Son
OPEX Operating Expense
PVGas SEG Petro Vietnam Southeast Gas Project Management
Board
PLEM Pipeline End Manifold
ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle

4. CODES, SPECIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES

The precedence applying for the use of Codes, Standards, Specifications and
Regulatory requirements for this project is as follows:

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ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping

Systems, 2010
API 5L Specification for Line Pipe, 45th, 2012
API RP 1111 Design, Construction, Operation, and
Maintenance of Offshore Hydrocacbon
Pipelines
DNV-OS-F101 Submarine Pipeline Systems, 2013
DNV-OS-F201 Dynamic Riser – 2001
TCVN-6475 Rules for Classification and Technical
Supervision of Subsea Pipeline Systems
(Part 1 to Part 13), 2007
In the event of an inconsistency, conflict or discrepancy between any of the
Standards, Specifications and Regulatory requirements, the most stringent
and safest requirement applicable to the project will prevail to the extent of
the inconsistency, conflict or discrepancy. Any inconsistencies critical to the
design will be brought to the attention of the PVGas SEG for resolution.

5. PIPELINE INSTALLATION METHODS

5.1 General

Offshore pipeline installations is performed by specialized lay-vessel. There are

several methods to install an offshore pipeline:
 S-lay;
 J-lay;
 Reel lay.
The methods of installation which are applicable to a particular subsea
pipeline are determined primarily by the following factors:
 Pipeline diameter and wall thickness;
 External coatings;
 Installation stresses / required lay tension / water depth;
 Pipeline length / resultant limitations on each installation method;
 Location / environmental / physical location and vessel availability.
Depending on the method, a offshore pipeline is exposed to different loads
during installation from a lay-vessel. These load are hydrostatic pressure,

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tension and bending. An installation analysis is conducted to estimate the

minimum lay-tension for the pipeline for a given radius of curvature to ensure
that the load effects on the pipeline is within the strength design criteria.
Once of three methods, J-lay is the most safest for pipeline because stress
pipe induced in installation is the smallest and ability installation at the large
water depth. Reel lay is common to install for pipe in which diameter is
relatively small, good point of this method is fast installation. Recent in
Vietnam, selected method is usually S-lay.
Welding lengths of pipe (joints) shall perform on board of barge in S-lay
method in derick of J-lay, all of pipes are welded together on ashore and roll
in drum in Reel lay method. As the laybarge moves, the pipe passes onto a
set of rollers which are supported with a truss at the stern of the vessel. This
truss is termed the “stinger” and the rollers are profiled in an “overbend” from
the horizontal orientation on the vessel into a catenary down to the seabed.
The initiation and laydown heads are desinged by the Installation Contractor
and normally incorporate valving to allow the flooding pigging of the pipeline.
They are often designed to double up as hydrotesting heads.
The majority of offshore pipelines, in excess of 95%, have been installed by S-
lay from an S-lay barge.
Installation Method for Nam Con Son 2 gas pipeline
Installation of the NCS2 - Phase 2 gas pipeline may be use S-lay or J-lay. This
laybarge should be equipped with relevant equipments in order to
demonstrate that the methods and equipments used by the CONTRACTOR will
meet the specified requirements, and that the results can be verified. The
installation shall include all factors that influence the quality and reliability of
the installation work, including normal and contingency situations.
The pipelay will follow the following steps:
 Laybarge anchored in 17 m water depth ready for shore pull.
 Pipeline fabricated on laybarge is winched ashore using a winch set-up at
the beach. Laybarge is stationary during the shore pull.
 On completion of the shore pull, laybarge continues to fabricate and lay
pipeline by moving away from the shore, towards Hai Thach.
 Pipelay with ROV support (guided lay) over pipeline and cable crossings.
Prior to the pipelay, pipe supports or sand bags are placed as per designed
crossings.

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 Terminate pipelay 3.5km from Hai Thach platform close to the pre-laid
pipeline from Hai Thach.
 The Hai Thach pipeline end is raised using the barge davit system to the
lay barge and welded to the end of pipeline laid from shore. Lower the
connected pipeline to the seabed with davit system. Alternatively, tie-in
spool is inserted subsea to connect both ends of the pipeline.
Along pipeline route, tie-in will be placed, connecting NCS2 pipeline to others
platform such as Hai Thach platform, Sao Vang platform, Su Tu Trang
platform.
Pipeline burial can be carried out by one of the following methods:
 Ploughing;
 Mechanical Cutters;
 Jetting;
 Fluidisation.
The ploughing operation is the most suitable method of pipeline burial for the
project as the following conditions apply:
 Sands and soft silts;
 Cohesive soils up to 5 kPa undrained shear strength.
The economics of the project allow for a large pull vessel (with a
correspondingly large crane and winch) to lift and pull the plough.

5.2 S-lay method

The most common method of pipeline installation in shallow water is the S-lay
method.
The main features are as:
 Being able to lay a variety of different pipeline diameters;
 Allows concrete coated pipe to be installed thus not requiring heavy wall
pipe to ensure on-bottom stability;
 Availability of vessel;
Disadvantage of S-lay installation include:
 S-lay configuration is characterized by high bending and tension loads at
top of the pipe span and these loads are amplified as water depth

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increases, consequently increasing stresses beyond the allowable limit of

pipeline material.

Figure 5.2: S-lay Configuration

5.3 J-lay method

Overcoming some of the obstacles of S-lay installation, J-lay technique puts

less stress on the pipeline by inserting the pipeline in an almost vertical
position.
The main features of J-lay installation are as:
 Reduce stresses on the pipeline;
 Withstand more motion and underwater currents.
Because of above features, J-lay installation is preferred for deeper water
depths.

Figure 5.3: J-lay Configuration

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5.4 Reel lay method

With Reel lay method, pipeline can be installed either in S-lay or J-lay
depending on the design of the reel vessel and the depth of water.
The main features of Reel lay installation are as:
 Faster than conventional method;
 Lower labor costs.
Disadvantage of Reel lay installation are as:
 Connecting the ends of the pipeline segments;
 Amount of time to re-reel the pipeline to remove a buckle;
 Establishing a spool base close to the location where the pipeline is to be
laid;
 Limited to small diameter pipelines;
 Concrete coated pipelines cannot be reeled;
 Only specifically designed pipe-in-pipe pipelines can be reeled;
 The pipeline is plastically deformed and then straightened. Some thinning
of the wall and loss of ductility of the material in localized areas can occur
(Bauschinger effect).

Figure 5.4: Reel lay Configuration

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5.5 Select Installation Method for Nam Con Son 2 - Phase 2 Pipeline

S-lay method is the most common method used for pipeline installation in the
industry. For Nam Con Son 2 - Phase 2 pipeline installation, it is suggested S-
lay method to be used for the reasons listed below:
 The water depth and the diameter of pipeline are within the range of S-lay
method. Two previous similar pipelines adjacent to NCS2 - Phase 2 have
been installed with the same method.
 There is bigger number of S-lay barge in the area. Compared to J-lay
barge, daily cost of S-lay barge could be relatively cheaper.
 Suitability of J-lay method on shallower water is limited because sufficient
distance is required to deflect the pipe into horizontal in seabed. If J-lay
method is chosen for NCS2-Phase 2, it means second barge is required for
pipeline installation in shallower water. The total cost to mobilized two
barges will be bigger that only one S-lay barge.
 The diameter size and the concrete coating requirements for NCS2 - Phase
2 pipeline make the option for reel pipeline method improbable.
Further installation analysis is required to be undertaken in the next
engineering phase to check suitability of different possible S-lay barges to be
used and pipeline stresses (yield, local buckling, fatigue damage and damage
to weight coating and field joint) arise during installation if installed with those
barges.

6. PIPELINE INSTALLATION ANALYSIS

The purpose of the installation analysis at the design stage is to determine the
best methods of safe installation of the pipeline. Any damage suffered during
installation may impair the future function and safety of the completed
pipeline. Repair work carried out during installation will delay the execution of
Project and will increase the installation cost.
If the installation analysis for the proposed pipeline and equipment cannot
obtain an acceptable set of installation parameters, then the equipment or
pipeline properties need to be modified.
For any pipeline installation method, analysis is required for each phase and
eventuality of the proposed installation method. Analysis should determine
that the following forms of failure or damage will not occur:
 Excessive yield strength;
 Local buckling;

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 Fatigue damage;
 Excessive damage to weight coating and field joint.
The installation techniques discussed previously, comprising of pipelay by
laybarge or DP vessels and need to be examined with respect to:
 The basic analysis required to determine feasibility;
 The data requirements for analysis;
 The basic load cases;
 The acceptance criteria.

7. SANDWAVE MOBILITY ASSESSMENT

During the EPC stage of NCS 2 – Phase 1 project, the site survey report for
the detailed design identified some dynamic sandwave areas along corridor of
pipeline route. There is concern the movement of sand may expose the
pipeline to free spans and increasing the threat to the pipeline integrity.
Hence the detailed sandwave mobility assessment must be prepared to
estimates for Construction Schedule Impact and OPEX and CAPEX cost and
recommended on a suitable and economical seabed intervention method, i.e.
free span correction versus trenching can be made.
To assess the sandwave mobility, data from bathymetric surveys are
compared, seismic profiles are analysed and metocean and geological reports
are reviewed. A SWAT (Sand Wave Analysis Tool) analysis on the profiles
suggests that the expected migration. The migration estimates of up to 6m
per year are enough to potentially cause the development of free spans over
the lifetime of the pipeline.
A technically feasible, cost-estimation of free span rectification and trenching
while securing long term pipeline integrity shall be analysed. The following
tasks should be carried out:
 To determine the seabed variability along the pipeline route;
 To determine the required pre-sweeping cut lines and the burial depth
(post trenching) of the pipeline if required;
 Cost estimation and optimization.

8. SEABED INTERVENTION
To place a structure on the seabed securely, the seabed should be as flat and
regular as possible. If the seabed is irregular or undulating, the structure, for
this instance is a pipeline, will suffer the risk of spanning and overstressing.
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The subsea pipeline is subjected to tidal movements, currents and scour

unless buried or trenched in the seabed. Preparation of the seabed is
therefore of crucial importance. For pipeline encroached sand wave area, a
large amount of seabed rectification is often required. The design of these
works, i.e. pre-sweep dredging and post-lay trenching is generally a major
technical challenge and has a significant effect on the cost-effectiveness and
long term safety of the pipeline. Large scale movement of sand waves could
result in pipe exposure and generation of free spans. Potential mitigation
measures generally involve large cost.
The conventional free span correction method using concrete mattresses
and/or grout bags to provide supports to the pipeline. This method is widely
used in the industry. Various methods of pre-lay, post-lay trenching, rock
dump, free span supports shall be discussed in the sandwave mobility study
report.
The pre-trenching method is not considered due the following reasons:
 The seabed is sand the trench is not stable and easy to collapse;
 It will require a wide and deep trench to be constructed which is much
costly compared to other methods;
 The pipeline is stable on seabed; hence there is no requirement for
secondary stabilization or pre-trenching.
Therefore, the two (2) most suitable methods of seabed intervention
recommended for the 26 inch NCS2-Phase 2 Gas Pipeline Project are:
 Pre-sweeping where a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) can be
used to prepare/flatten sandwave ridges and/or dredge trenches to allow
routing a pipeline through sandwaves and/or sandbars. This method is
normally performed prior to pipe-lay to eliminate the free spans exceeding
the allowable span lengths for installation condition;
 Post-lay jetting where a jet trencher which is based on a (tracked) ROV
and moves along the pipeline with very powerful water jets. Water jets are
used to penetrate the seabed and bring the soil into suspension. The water
flow removes the suspended sediment and a trench is created under the
pipeline into which the pipeline is sunk into the seabed at the desired
burial depth.

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9. SURVEYING

9.1 Installation Phase

During the installation phase, seabed surveys need to be carried out to check
if it complies with the design and if scope for pre-sweep and post trenching
can be further optimized to achieve a more cost effective solution.

9.2 Operation Phase

During the pipeline operation, a survey should be carried out generally within
one year after the installation. The objective of the survey is to:
 Monitor pipeline status;
 Monitor pipeline seabed interaction and natural self-lowering;
 Identify free spans;
 Evaluate seabed dynamics.
The survey should include the pipeline burial, free span locations, lengths and
gap heights and seabed profiles around the pipeline.
ROV inspections are recommended for critical free spans, if any.
The survey data should be reviewed in order to determine the future survey
strategy.
If the free span correction method is chosen and if the any part of the pipeline
is exposed on the seabed, it is necessary to carry out the survey with high
resolution multi-beam echsoundings, by three surveys: one post-lay, another
one after 1 year and the third one after 3 years.
Unless these measurements show different results in seabed changes, from
then on a repeat survey every 5 year would be sufficient to identify any critical
free spans developing. If some significant span developments identified in the
survey, more frequent survey would be required.

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