A stand-up pressure test is one of the methods of verifying pipeline integrity. In contrast with the hydrotest where the pipeline needs to be purged and then be filled with water, a stand-up pressure test is performed on an operational pipeline during shut-in condition to confirm the line integrity. Usually, the stand-up pressure test is recommended when there is no visual confirmation or evidence of a compromised pipeline integrity while the operations have been suspended due to any concerns regarding the line integrity, for example a deviation alarm.
To conduct a safe and successful stand-up pressure test, several considerations need to be taken. These considerations include but not limited to system isolation, maximum operating pressure (MOP), minimum required test pressure, required equipment for performing the test, required data for the test, etc. While the process of performing a stand-up pressure test on a pipeline is not well documented in the pipeline industries, the purpose of this paper is to show the process of conducting the stand-up pressure test including preparation, monitoring, data analyzing, and documentation.
During a pressure test, it has always been challenging to distinguish between the pressure drop due to product release from a pipeline, and the pressure drop due to thermal effects inside the pipeline. In this paper, the methodology of calculating the expected cooling rate from a pipeline and the tool that was developed for determining the expected cooldown effects are also discussed.
