Pipeline Integrity Management: Nonmetallic Technology Perspective
Seawater Injection is a well-known technique which helps in supporting oil recovery cost effectively by injecting treated seawater at high pressure in the reservoir. This injected water is delivered through water injection wells placed along the periphery of the entire oilfield reservoir. The water is transported to the wells by a vast high pressure pipeline network which needs to be operated without unplanned downtime and cost effective internal/External corrosion control.
Ageing(40yrs) Pipeline network which is internally and externally coated with Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) and have numerous challenges (constructed telescopically, branched, Non-piggable, underground, high pressure) that prevents the use of conventional inspection technologies in order to cost effectively know the condition of the network.
Internal pipe corrosion control is not very effective by controlling Seawater injection parameters, chemical injection (Biocides, Oxygen scavengers), Coupons, Onstream Inspection Programs (Aboveground), maintenance pigging.
In order to cost effectively prevent internal corrosion Nonmetallic technology (HDPE, RTP, Roto-lining, specialized coupling) for up to 3000psig was used first time in the world to replace and rehabilitate ageing pipelines. Extending the Asset Economic life by preventing corrosion by application of Nonmetallic material technology aided in maintaining the integrity of the vast pipeline network. Moreover, this strategic shift contributed to the local economy and also helped in the reduction of carbon footprint that contributed in reducing the environmental impact.
Evaluating the value of each improvement action to the individual pipeline asset by analyzing the relative asset value of the pipeline portfolio into strategic groups ensured robust capital budgeting process to deliver cost effective Pipeline integrity program and positively contributed to environmental and social dimension.
Lifecycle costing together with environmental impact assessment helped in assessing the contribution of the products, processes to deliver sustainable value and needs to be incorporated during the early stages of the project.