Aside from the huge production potential of the Brazilian deep water, pre-salt reservoirs, the technical, operational and management challenges in this harsh environment have driven the largest engineering, construction and service companies to acommon goal: To meet the nation's expectations of continuing the rates of growth in the Oil and Gas industry that raise thecountry to its place as one of the world's leaders in energy production.
When asked to undertake the task of certification and pre-commissioning of the first wet-end to wet-end gas pipelines running between the first large scale pre-salt production fields, Weatherford realized they had come into a Brazilian historical challenge. The Uruguá and Tupi gas pipelines figure to be some of the largest in the world in terms of fill volume and water depth: 18?? x174km with the deep end of the system located from 1300 meters (Uruguá) to 2200 meters (Tupi) equivalent to 4200 to 7200 feetrespectively below sea level.
The Uruguá gas pipeline project was successfully managed engineered and executed by our local staff in Brazil and was the majorproject that was given completely to the local group. The integrated scope of work included for flooding, cleaning, gauging, caliper pigging, hydrotesting, dewatering, conditioning and nitrogen purging of the entire pipeline system at once. AWeatherford designed and fabricated caliper pig was modified to be able to run bi-directionally. For the hydrotesting activities, Weatherford also designed and built subsea dataloggers for use in extreme deep water with a ROV friendly self-standing support while Saipem purchased and operated a 3?? ID 1600 m long non-collapsible downline in order to be able to dewater the pipeline.
All activities were completed while working together with our client Saipem, within the pre-commissioning schedule, in strict accordance with all Petrobras requirements and under the close supervision of DNV, who provided the project certification. Two Saipem vessels, Chloé Candy and Normand Cutter, were involved in the entire project duration.
All of the equipment required to meet the entire project parameters for pig speed and pressurization were taken from Weatherford Brazilian fleet. All phases of the project were undertaken using best practices and standards for quality, health, safety and environment. There were zero safety and environmental incidents recorded for this project.
Pre-commissioning activities were successfully completed for the Uruguá project by Saipem and Weatherford between the 14th of April and the 23rd of September, 2010.
