ABSTRACT
What does it take to install a new pipeline? Once the right-of-way is acquired and construction has commenced, what tasks are required to ensure a safe and successful pipeline installation with effective cathodic protection and AC mitigation? Pipeline installation is accomplished with the efforts of multiple teams of personnel all of whom have their own duties and concerns. Safety, transportation, materials, equipment and construction are some of major parts to the installation of a pipeline. As corrosion engineers we must work in all of these areas to ensure that test lead wires, bond cables, casing pipes, anode groundbeds and rectifiers are all installed and functioning to meet PHMSA/local regulatory agencies and Company time lines and requirements. In addition, design considerations must include the pipeline, station & AST terminal with regards to coatings, piping supports, sand for AST bottoms, etc. Once a design is approved and construction is underway, scheduling with internal departments along with foreign pipelines is critical as existing operations may be interrupted. Commissioning of the system provides additional challenges as extensive planning may be required along with personnel management between OQ and non-OQ tasks.
This paper discusses the many concerns related to new pipeline construction. Including safety, testing, documentation and lessons learned. Also addressed are aboveground storage tanks and some of their construction issues. The topics discussed are practical and the lessons learned are first-hand accounts. The purpose of this paper is to share what has been learned and some of the company policies that have been taken from many years of installing pipelines. Tools to be discussed will cover new technologies & monitoring techniques that are available when dealing with congested and/or limited access pipeline corridors for both AC & DC and when to consider electrical isolation.
INTRODUCTION
Each year hundreds of miles of pipeline are installed. During their installation corrosion engineers must consider many different aspects of the pipeline and its configuration. On the surface it may appear simple, thinking only of test stations and groundbeds, but once you get into it the tasks are many. Our goal here is to discuss the tasks associated with installing a sound cathodic protection system for a newly installed pipeline.
