0.1.1.

C96 & C97

Document No.
HSE-S011-400

HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction, onshore

Libya
DOCUMENT PURPOSE
This procedure defines minimum standards to be applied in pipeline construction in order to
limit the extent of obstacles on the ground surface, and the associated risk to personnel in
vehicles travelling in or around the construction site, and to define suitable warnings and
crossing points.

DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY

Rev. No.

Date

Reason for Revision

By

A1

First draft Issued for comment

HSEC

A2

09.03.06 Formatted and issued to EP for comment

HSEM

00

19.04.06 First Issue

HSEM

This procedure must be reviewed every year

Doc No. HSE-S011-400-00

Date of next review:

Review

Sign

April 2007

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C96 & C97

HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

onshore Libya

Preparation
It is essential that the following HSE standards are communicated to potential
contractors at the earliest stage of the tendering process. The work flow for pipeline
construction and the required safety equipment all have a cost impact which must be
accurately reflected in any bid.
The Wintershall-Libya HSE Department must be represented in any negotiation with
the contractor over the scope of the construction project, either before award of
contract or after, if such negotiations could possibly impact the implementation of these
HSE standards or alter the HSE risk.

HSE Concerns
Trenching, the lay-out of equipment and materials, including the stringing of the
pipeline, represent a significant risk to persons driving across the route of the pipeline.
Construction and material planning should always being organized so that the size of
the construction site is minimized. The site should be adequately marked with
warning signs for both day and night and conditions of poor visibility.
Crossing points (road, sand track, pipelines) needs special set ups. The frequency and
setup of crossing points should be risk assessed for each pipeline construction. This
may involve consultation and negotiation with the community and other companies.

Procedure
The following minimum standards shall be applied.
Beginning / End of Site
If the construction comes close to a road, a minimum distance has to be fixed on
location. At the end position, additional floodlights need to be installed and drums have
to be used to form a funnel, (see Figure 1.).

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HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

C96 & C97

onshore Libya

Minimum
Distance needs
to be fixed on
location

Sand
road
with
Drumway
markers

Figure 1. Site end position close to existing sand road (Drum-way)

Doc No. HSE-S011-400-00

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HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

C96 & C97

onshore Libya

Road / Drumway and Track Crossings

Any route crossings need to be constructed in one day and need to be ready before
darkness. Routes include established roads (black-top, caliche, oil-sand), marked
drumways, and tracks without special markers but recognised as frequented routes.
Route Deviations
Deviations from the normal vehicle route have to be marked with drums, with additional
floodlights at the closing points from each direction. Behind the floodlight, a higher
bund wall has to be installed (min. 1 m). Figure 2. shows the set-up for a right-angle
crossing. The same precautions must be used for other geometries of crossings, but
with an adjusted layout.

Additional bund wall

Additional bund wall

Figure 2. Marking of deviations from existing vehicle routes.

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C96 & C97

HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

onshore Libya

Site Length and Marking

Depending on the expected third party vehicle movements in the area of construction,
there are two general possibilities. The more stringent control (option A, or standards
exceeding the requirements of option A) should be in place where indicated by the
project specific risk assessment.
Option A) Maximum length of whole construction site not to exceed 4 km
A.1) Maximum length between first wooden blocks and refilling is 4 km,
A.2) At a minimum distance of 10 m each side of the pipe / trench, a 0.6 m high sand
bund wall shall be constructed. A second (outer) sand bund wall of 0.4 m high to be
constructed a further 15 m out from the first bund walls. In addition, red/white drums
with a warning X marked with reflecting tape fixed to the top of the drum (see Figure
3.) should be located close to the outer bund wall and at 100 m intervals (on both sides
of the construction site),
A.3) During darkness the complete length of the construction has to be lighted with
floodlights.
A.4) Each individual pipe joint is to be marked with longitudinally fixed reflecting tape of
approximately 8 mm width. This tape should be mounted at 120 degree intervals on the
circumference of the pipe so that it is visible from all sides (see Figure 5.).
Option B) No maximum length of whole construction site BUT following a risk
assessment the site length should be as short as reasonably practicable.
B.1) Forward laying of non connected pipes and wooden blocks should not exceed the
foreseen welding progress of 2 days,
B.2) Crossing points have to be installed every 3 km and need to be equipped with
floodlights and construction lighting (see Figure 4.). Crossing points are to be kept
open while surface hazards remain (strung pipe, open trench, etc.),
B.3) At a minimum distance of 10 m each side of the pipe / trench, a 0.6 m high sand
bund wall shall be constructed. A second (outer) sand bund wall of 0.4 m high to be
constructed a further 15 m out from the first bund walls. In addition, red/white drums
with a warning X marked with reflecting tape fixed to the top of the drum (see Figure
3.) should be located close to the outer bund wall and at 100 m intervals (on both sides

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HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

C96 & C97

onshore Libya

of the construction site). A warning light (red or yellow, flashing or constant) shall be
secured to every fourth drum (400 m intervals).
B.4) Beginning and endpoint of the site to be secured with drums standing at 10 m
intervals. Area has to be lighted with floodlights during darkness.
B.5) Each individual pipe joint is to be marked with longitudinally fixed reflecting tape of
approximately 8 mm width. This tape should be mounted at 120 degree intervals on the
circumference of the pipe so that it is visible from all sides (see Figure 5.).

100

15m

10m

Pic 1
Reflecting tape

0.6m

min. 10m

0.4m

15m

Figure 3. Drum and bund wall warnings.

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HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

C96 & C97

onshore Libya

Figure 4. Design and spacing of crossing points.

8 mm

Front view of the pipe.

Figure 5. Reflecting tape fixed to pipe.

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C96 & C97

HSE Standards for Pipeline Construction,

onshore Libya

Reference Documents
All construction companies should familiarise themselves with Wintershall-Libyas
general HSE requirements for contractors.

Doc No. HSE-S011-400-00

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