Offshore Pipeline Installation Philosophy

PETROVIETNAM GAS CORPORATION
PETROVIETNAM SOUTH-EAST GAS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT BOARD
PROJECT
NAM CON SON 2 GAS PIPELINE PROJECT
STAGE
UPDATING FEASIBILITY STUDY PHASE 2
OFFSHORE PIPELINE INSTALLATION

PHILOSOPHY
A1
28/09/16
Issued for IDC
Rev
.
Date
Description
PVE
PVGAS
Document Number:
PV ENGINEERING
J.S.C
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH001
Number of pages: 18
(including cover pages)
PROJECT
STAGE
OFFSHORE PIPELINE INSTALLATION

PHILOSOPHY
A1
Rev
.
28/09/16
Issued for IDC
Date
Description
VTT
Prepared
by
NQP
Checked
by
DHQ
Approve
d by
NNT
PM
Document Number:
PV ENGINEERING J.S.C
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001

OFFSHORE PIPELINE INSTALLATION PHILOSOPHY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
INTRODUCTION.................................................................4
1.1
Overall of Project...............................................................................4
1.2
NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project Phase 1.................................................5
1.3
NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project Phase 2.................................................6
2.
PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT...................................................7
3.
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS....................................8
3.1
Definitions.........................................................................................8
3.2
Abbreviations....................................................................................8
4.
CODES, SPECIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES........................9
5.
PIPELINE INSTALLATION METHODS.....................................9
5.1
General.............................................................................................9
5.2
S-lay method...................................................................................11
5.3
J-lay method....................................................................................12
5.4
Reel lay method..............................................................................13
5.5
Select Installation Method for Nam Con Son 2 - Phase 2 Pipeline...14
6.
PIPELINE INSTALLATION ANALYSIS...................................15
7.
SANDWAVE MOBILITY ASSESSMENT.................................15
8.
SEABED INTERVENTION...................................................16
9.
SURVEYING....................................................................17
9.1
Installation Phase............................................................................17
9.2
Operation Phase..............................................................................17
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 3/18


2. INTRODUCTION
2.1
Overall of Project
The investment policy of Investment Construction Project on NCS2
gas pipeline was approved by the Minister according to Letter No.
19/VPCP-KTN dated 04/01/2011, and PetroVietnams Board of
Directors approved this project according to Decision No. 801/QDDKVN dated 27/01/2011. The purpose of this project is to gathering
and transport gas from the Hai Thach Moc Tinh fields (Block 05-2,
05-3), Thien Ung - Mang Cau fields (Block 04-3) and other potential
gas fields of Nam Con Son and Cuu Long basins to provide gas to
consumers in the South-East region.
-
Project Title: Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline;
Owner: PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PVGAS);
The Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline Project consists of the following
items:
-
The Offshore pipeline is approximately 325.5km, 26 inches to

transport 2-phase gas with the designed capacity is 18.4 million
m3 of gas and 1,320 tons of condensate/ day (the transportation
capacity of dry gas will be 7.0 billion m3 / year), about 325km 26
pipeline starting from the Hai Thach Moc Tinh field, passes
Thien Ung - Mang Cau, Bach Ho and then runs to a Landfall Point
at Long Hai. The pipeline systems including: Tie-in for import gas
near Hai Thach platform, connecting to Thien Ung platform, tie-in
for future fields near the Thien Ung and Dai Hung fields and tie-in
in Bach Ho region.
The onshore pipeline including about 9km 26 pipeline from

landfall point at Long Hai to GPP2 and about 30km 30 pipeline
for transferring sale gas
from GPP2 to Phu My GDC and Phuoc
Hoa LBV station, extension of Phu My Gas Distribution Center;
The Gas Processing Plant 2 (GPP2) 10 MMSCMD is located in Dinh

Co, and two liquid product pipelines (LPG and Condensate) is
approximately 25km from outlet of GPP2 to transport to Thi Vai
Terminal and 03 LBV Stations.
Place of construction: Ba Ria Vung Tau province.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 4/18

Figure 1.1: Overall layout of NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project

2.2
NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project Phase 1

NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project Phase 1 was approved by PVN according
to Decree No. 815/NQ-DKVN dated 11/02/2014 and approved by
PVGAS according to Decision No. 213/QD-KVN dated 26/02/2014 in
order to gather gas from Dai Hung and Thien Ung at low pressure
operation condition with 402.6 million dollars of the investment cost,
including:
-
151 km pipeline (26 inches) from Thien Ung to the tie-in point (KP
207 + 474) connecting to Bach Ho (BK4A).
WYE tie-in (Tie-in Module) at the connection point of NCS2 Thien

Ung.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 5/18


-
WYE tie-in to connect the future gas resources.
Valves and spool (Tie-in Module) at KP 207.5 to connect NCS2BK4A.
The layout of Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline - Phase 1 is shown as the
below figure:
Figure 1.2: Layout of Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline - Phase 1

2.3
NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project Phase 2

According to the Field Development Plan (FDP) done by Cuu Long
JOC, Su Tu Trang (STT) gas field will be full filed developed and is
expected to operate in the quarter 4 of 2019, SV-DN field (based on
the plan of Idenmistu) is expected to operate after 2019 with the
exploited gas capacity that is exceed the capacity of BH-LH gas
pipeline and NCS2 gas pipeline phase 1. Therefore, there are the
needs of NCS2 gas pipeline project Phase 2 investment to ensure
the demand for transporting and processing STT, DB, SV gas and
other potential fields on shore as from the end of 2019, and also
completing the strategic objectives of NCS2 gas pipeline project
approved by PVN.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 6/18


Based on PVNs conduct, PVGAS is responsible to execute the NCS2
Gas Pipeline Project Phase 2, the investment scopes of NCS2 Gas
Pipeline Project Phase 2 intend as follows:
-
The offshore gas pipeline including 117 km 26 pipeline from KP

207+474 to landfall point at Long Hai and approximately 60km
26 pipeline from Hai Thach Platform to NCS2 gas pipeline
phase 1;
The onshore pipeline including about 9km 26 pipeline from

landfall point at Long Hai to GPP2 and about 30km 30 pipeline
for transferring sale gas
from GPP2 to Phu My GDC and Phuoc
Hoa LBV station, extension of Phu My Gas Distribution Center;
The Gas Processing Plant 2 (GPP2) is located in Dinh Co, and two
liquid product pipelines (LPG and Condensate) is approximately
25km from outlet of GPP2 to transport to Thi Vai Terminal and 03
LBV Stations.
Figure 1.3: Layout of NCS2 Gas Pipeline Project Phase 2 (Offshore

part)
3. PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT
This document contains a review of the installation and construction
methods for the 26 offshore pipeline sections of NCS2 Phase 2
project. It comprises a compilation of Installation and Construction
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 7/18


Methodology to be used for the Basis of Design of the pipeline
system.
This document and other project related documentation and
activities shall ensure that practicable the Nam Con Son 2 Phase 2
Gas Pipeline Project are designed, constructed and implemented in a
safe manner and minimizes adverse environmental effects
associated with the project.
In addition, the sandwave mobility study philosophies shall be
metioned in this document. Therefore, a recommendation on a
suitable and economical seabed intervention method can be made
during installation stage.
4. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
4.1
Definitions
PROJECT
Nam Con Son 2 Gas Pipeline Phase 2
OWNER
PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation
REPRESENTATIVE of PetroVietnam
South-East
Gas
OWNER/ COMPANY
Management Board (PVGAS SEG)
PVE/ CONTRACTOR
Project
Petrovietnam Engineering Consultancy Joint

Stock Corporation
4.2
Abbreviations
API
American Petroleum Institute
ASME
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
CAPEX
Captital Expense
DP
Derrick Pipe
DNV
Det Norske Veritas
EPC
Engineering-Procurement-Construction
GDC
Gas Distribution Center
MMSCMD
Millions Standard Cubic Meter Per Day
NCS
Nam Con Son
OPEX
Operating Expense
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 8/18


PVGas SEG
Petro Vietnam Southeast

Management Board
PLEM
Pipeline End Manifold
ROV
Remotely Operated Vehicle
Gas
Project
5. CODES, SPECIFICATIONS AND REFERENCES

The precedence applying for the use of Codes, Standards,
Specifications and Regulatory requirements for this project is as
follows:
ASME B31.8
Gas Transmission and

Piping Systems, 2010
Distribution
API 5L
Specification for Line Pipe, 45th, 2012
API RP 1111
Design, Construction, Operation, and

Maintenance of Offshore Hydrocacbon
Pipelines
DNV-OS-F101
Submarine Pipeline Systems, 2013
DNV-OS-F201
Dynamic Riser 2001
TCVN-6475
Rules for Classification and Technical

Supervision
of
Subsea
Pipeline
Systems (Part 1 to Part 13), 2007
In the event of an inconsistency, conflict or discrepancy between any

of the Standards, Specifications and Regulatory requirements, the
most stringent and safest requirement applicable to the project will
prevail to the extent of the inconsistency, conflict or discrepancy.
Any inconsistencies critical to the design will be brought to the
attention of the PVGas SEG for resolution.
6. PIPELINE INSTALLATION METHODS
6.1
General
Offshore pipeline installations is performed by specialized lay-vessel.
There are several methods to install an offshore pipeline:
S-lay;
J-lay;
Reel lay.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 9/18


The methods of installation which are applicable to a particular
subsea pipeline are determined primarily by the following factors:
Pipeline diameter and wall thickness;
External coatings;
Installation stresses / required lay tension / water depth;
Pipeline length / resultant limitations on each installation method;
Location /
availability.
environmental
physical
location
and
vessel
Depending on the method, a offshore pipeline is exposed to different

loads during installation from a lay-vessel. These load are
hydrostatic pressure, tension and bending. An installation analysis is
conducted to estimate the minimum lay-tension for the pipeline for a
given radius of curvature to ensure that the load effects on the
pipeline is within the strength design criteria. Once of three
methods, J-lay is the most safest for pipeline because stress pipe
induced in installation is the smallest and ability installation at the
large water depth. Reel lay is common to install for pipe in which
diameter is relatively small, good point of this method is fast
installation. Recent in Vietnam, selected method is usually S-lay.
Welding lengths of pipe (joints) shall perform on board of barge in Slay method in derick of J-lay, all of pipes are welded together on
ashore and roll in drum in Reel lay method. As the laybarge moves,
the pipe passes onto a set of rollers which are supported with a truss
at the stern of the vessel. This truss is termed the stinger and the
rollers are profiled in an overbend from the horizontal orientation
on the vessel into a catenary down to the seabed. The initiation and
laydown heads are desinged by the Installation Contractor and
normally incorporate valving to allow the flooding pigging of the
pipeline. They are often designed to double up as hydrotesting
heads.
The majority of offshore pipelines, in excess of 95%, have been
installed by S-lay from an S-lay barge.
Installation Method for Nam Con Son 2 gas pipeline
Installation of the NCS2 - Phase 2 gas pipeline may be use S-lay or Jlay. This laybarge should be equipped with relevant equipments in
order to demonstrate that the methods and equipments used by the
CONTRACTOR will meet the specified requirements, and that the
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 10/18


results can be verified. The installation shall include all factors that
influence the quality and reliability of the installation work, including
normal and contingency situations.
The pipelay will follow the following steps:
Laybarge anchored in 17 m water depth ready for shore pull.
Pipeline fabricated on laybarge is winched ashore using a winch

set-up at the beach. Laybarge is stationary during the shore pull.
On completion of the shore pull, laybarge continues to fabricate

and lay pipeline by moving away from the shore, towards Hai
Thach.
Pipelay with ROV support (guided lay) over pipeline and cable
crossings. Prior to the pipelay, pipe supports or sand bags are
placed as per designed crossings.
Terminate pipelay 3.5km from Hai Thach platform close to the

pre-laid pipeline from Hai Thach.
The Hai Thach pipeline end is raised using the barge davit system
to the lay barge and welded to the end of pipeline laid from
shore. Lower the connected pipeline to the seabed with davit
system. Alternatively, tie-in spool is inserted subsea to connect
both ends of the pipeline.
Along pipeline route, tie-in will be placed, connecting NCS2 pipeline

to others platform such as Hai Thach platform, Sao Vang platform,
Su Tu Trang platform.
Pipeline burial can be carried out by one of the following methods:
Ploughing;
Mechanical Cutters;
Jetting;
Fluidisation.
The ploughing operation is the most suitable method of pipeline

burial for the project as the following conditions apply:
Sands and soft silts;
Cohesive soils up to 5 kPa undrained shear strength.
The economics of the project allow for a large pull vessel (with a
correspondingly large crane and winch) to lift and pull the plough.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 11/18


6.2
S-lay method
The most common method of pipeline installation in shallow water is
the S-lay method.
The main features are as:
Being able to lay a variety of different pipeline diameters;
Allows concrete coated pipe to be installed thus not requiring

heavy wall pipe to ensure on-bottom stability;
Availability of vessel;
Disadvantage of S-lay installation include:
S-lay configuration is characterized by high bending and tension

loads at top of the pipe span and these loads are amplified as
water depth increases, consequently increasing stresses beyond
the allowable limit of pipeline material.
Figure 5.2: S-lay Configuration

6.3
J-lay method
Overcoming some of the obstacles of S-lay installation, J-lay
technique puts less stress on the pipeline by inserting the pipeline in
an almost vertical position.
The main features of J-lay installation are as:
Reduce stresses on the pipeline;
Withstand more motion and underwater currents.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 12/18


Because of above features, J-lay installation is preferred for deeper
water depths.
Figure 5.3: J-lay Configuration

6.4
Reel lay method

With Reel lay method, pipeline can be installed either in S-lay or J-lay
depending on the design of the reel vessel and the depth of water.
The main features of Reel lay installation are as:
Faster than conventional method;
Lower labor costs.
Disadvantage of Reel lay installation are as:
Connecting the ends of the pipeline segments;
Amount of time to re-reel the pipeline to remove a buckle;
Establishing a spool base close to the location where the pipeline

is to be laid;
Limited to small diameter pipelines;
Concrete coated pipelines cannot be reeled;
Only specifically designed pipe-in-pipe pipelines can be reeled;
The pipeline is plastically deformed and then straightened. Some

thinning of the wall and loss of ductility of the material in
localized areas can occur (Bauschinger effect).
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 13/18

Figure 5.4: Reel lay Configuration

6.5
Select Installation Method for Nam Con Son 2 - Phase 2

Pipeline
S-lay method is the most common method used for pipeline
installation in the industry. For Nam Con Son 2 - Phase 2 pipeline
installation, it is suggested S-lay method to be used for the reasons
listed below:
The water depth and the diameter of pipeline are within the
range of S-lay method. Two previous similar pipelines adjacent to
NCS2 - Phase 2 have been installed with the same method.
There is bigger number of S-lay barge in the area. Compared to Jlay barge, daily cost of S-lay barge could be relatively cheaper.
Suitability of J-lay method on shallower water is limited because

sufficient distance is required to deflect the pipe into horizontal in
seabed. If J-lay method is chosen for NCS2-Phase 2, it means
second barge is required for pipeline installation in shallower
water. The total cost to mobilized two barges will be bigger that
only one S-lay barge.
The diameter size and the concrete coating requirements for

NCS2 - Phase 2 pipeline make the option for reel pipeline method
improbable.
Further installation analysis is required to be undertaken in the next

engineering phase to check suitability of different possible S-lay
barges to be used and pipeline stresses (yield, local buckling, fatigue
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 14/18


damage and damage to weight coating and field joint) arise during
installation if installed with those barges.
7. PIPELINE INSTALLATION ANALYSIS
The purpose of the installation analysis at the design stage is to
determine the best methods of safe installation of the pipeline. Any
damage suffered during installation may impair the future function
and safety of the completed pipeline. Repair work carried out during
installation will delay the execution of Project and will increase the
installation cost.
If the installation analysis for the proposed pipeline and equipment
cannot obtain an acceptable set of installation parameters, then the
equipment or pipeline properties need to be modified.
For any pipeline installation method, analysis is required for each
phase and eventuality of the proposed installation method. Analysis
should determine that the following forms of failure or damage will
not occur:
Excessive yield strength;
Local buckling;
Fatigue damage;
Excessive damage to weight coating and field joint.
The installation techniques discussed previously, comprising of

pipelay by laybarge or DP vessels and need to be examined with
respect to:
The basic analysis required to determine feasibility;
The data requirements for analysis;
The basic load cases;
The acceptance criteria.
8. SANDWAVE MOBILITY ASSESSMENT

During the EPC stage of NCS 2 Phase 1 project, the site survey
report for the detailed design identified some dynamic sandwave
areas along corridor of pipeline route. There is concern the
movement of sand may expose the pipeline to free spans and
increasing the threat to the pipeline integrity. Hence the detailed
sandwave mobility assessment must be prepared to estimates for
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 15/18


Construction Schedule Impact and OPEX and CAPEX cost and
recommended on a suitable and economical seabed intervention
method, i.e. free span correction versus trenching can be made.
To assess the sandwave mobility, data from bathymetric surveys are
compared, seismic profiles are analysed and metocean and
geological reports are reviewed. A SWAT (Sand Wave Analysis Tool)
analysis on the profiles suggests that the expected migration. The
migration estimates of up to 6m per year are enough to potentially
cause the development of free spans over the lifetime of the
pipeline.
A technically feasible, cost-estimation of free span rectification and
trenching while securing long term pipeline integrity shall be
analysed. The following tasks should be carried out:
To determine the seabed variability along the pipeline route;
To determine the required pre-sweeping cut lines and the burial

depth (post trenching) of the pipeline if required;
Cost estimation and optimization.
9. SEABED INTERVENTION
To place a structure on the seabed securely, the seabed should be as
flat and regular as possible. If the seabed is irregular or undulating,
the structure, for this instance is a pipeline, will suffer the risk of
spanning and overstressing. The subsea pipeline is subjected to tidal
movements, currents and scour unless buried or trenched in the
seabed. Preparation of the seabed is therefore of crucial importance.
For pipeline encroached sand wave area, a large amount of seabed
rectification is often required. The design of these works, i.e. presweep dredging and post-lay trenching is generally a major technical
challenge and has a significant effect on the cost-effectiveness and
long term safety of the pipeline. Large scale movement of sand
waves could result in pipe exposure and generation of free spans.
Potential mitigation measures generally involve large cost.
The conventional free span correction method using concrete
mattresses and/or grout bags to provide supports to the pipeline.
This method is widely used in the industry. Various methods of prelay, post-lay trenching, rock dump, free span supports shall be
discussed in the sandwave mobility study report.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 16/18


The pre-trenching method is not considered due the following
reasons:
The seabed is sand the trench is not stable and easy to collapse;
It will require a wide and deep trench to be constructed which is

much costly compared to other methods;
The pipeline is stable on seabed; hence there is no requirement

for secondary stabilization or pre-trenching.
Therefore, the two (2) most suitable methods of seabed intervention

recommended for the 26 inch NCS2-Phase 2 Gas Pipeline Project are:
Pre-sweeping where a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD)

can be used to prepare/flatten sandwave ridges and/or dredge
trenches to allow routing a pipeline through sandwaves and/or
sandbars. This method is normally performed prior to pipe-lay to
eliminate the free spans exceeding the allowable span lengths for
installation condition;
Post-lay jetting where a jet trencher which is based on a (tracked)

ROV and moves along the pipeline with very powerful water jets.
Water jets are used to penetrate the seabed and bring the soil
into suspension. The water flow removes the suspended sediment
and a trench is created under the pipeline into which the pipeline
is sunk into the seabed at the desired burial depth.
10.SURVEYING
10.1 Installation Phase
During the installation phase, seabed surveys need to be carried out
to check if it complies with the design and if scope for pre-sweep
and post trenching can be further optimized to achieve a more cost
effective solution.
10.2 Operation Phase
During the pipeline operation, a survey should be carried out
generally within one year after the installation. The objective of the
survey is to:
Monitor pipeline status;
Monitor pipeline seabed interaction and natural self-lowering;
Identify free spans;
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 17/18

Evaluate seabed dynamics.
The survey should include the pipeline burial, free span locations,
lengths and gap heights and seabed profiles around the pipeline.
ROV inspections are recommended for critical free spans, if any.
The survey data should be reviewed in order to determine the future
survey strategy.
If the free span correction method is chosen and if the any part of
the pipeline is exposed on the seabed, it is necessary to carry out
the survey with high resolution multi-beam echsoundings, by three
surveys: one post-lay, another one after 1 year and the third one
after 3 years.
Unless these measurements show different results in seabed
changes, from then on a repeat survey every 5 year would be
sufficient to identify any critical free spans developing. If some
significant span developments identified in the survey, more
frequent survey would be required.
PIN2.2-PVE-BD-1-01-02-PH-001
Rev. A1
Page 18/18

Offshore Pipeline Installation Philosophy - Rev. A1

Transféré par

Informations du document

Description originale:

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Offshore Pipeline Installation Philosophy - Rev. A1

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

PETROVIETNAM GAS CORPORATION

PETROVIETNAM SOUTH-EAST GAS

NAM CON SON 2 GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

UPDATING FEASIBILITY STUDY PHASE 2