Subsea pipelines and flow lines are periodically subjected to damaging events such as anchor impacts that result in massive pipeline movements, dropped object damage, internal/external corrosion damage, etc. Knowing how to assess these damage events is often challenging, especially considering the potential for product release. The cost of production shut-ins can be significant and avoiding un-necessary shut-ins is desirable. While most pipeline operators have company-level procedures and programs in place for responding to pipeline emergencies, at the current time there is no single resource ...
Subsea pipelines and flow lines are periodically subjected to damaging events such as anchor impacts that result in massive pipeline movements, dropped object damage, internal/external corrosion damage, etc. Knowing how to assess these damage events is often challenging, especially considering the potential for product release. The cost of production shut-ins can be significant and avoiding un-necessary shut-ins is desirable. While most pipeline operators have company-level procedures and programs in place for responding to pipeline emergencies, at the current time there is no single resource for providing guidance for the pipeline industry. Development of emergency response guidelines for operators to respond to offshore pipeline damage emergencies in an effective and timely manner. One unique feature of this project is that SES utilized a series of workshops spaced over a years to collectively build the Decision/Task Tree, which is the key feature of this work. Further, a collaborative effort was continued to develop detailed input for the report. This Collaborative Workshop Model of conducting project work combines the best minds available on the subject, rather than having our customers merely serve as observers and evaluators, as is done traditionally. A second unique feature is that this report is formatted as a computer-based entry portal a "front door" to existing proprietary documents that each company has assembled for use in responding to an offshore pipeline damage incident. Often the treasured company documents are in dusty notebooks that should be scanned for incorporation with this front door document. This guideline document in its final form can provide live links to the proprietary company documents in an Adobe Acrobat format, along with the materials we have developed for the project. This front door is intended for use on a computer that is linked to the internet. The contents of this report are organized to place traditional introductory topics that would detract from operational use of this report for actual offshore emergencies in appendices near the back of the report. This report provides insights on the critical elements required for effectively responding to pipeline emergencies. PART A of this report contains the traditional introductory material, while PART B is named the Field Manual - for offshore emergency use. PART B can be used alone as an emergency response field manual without the introductory material PART A contains the Executive Summary, Introduction and Background, while PART B Contains the Preface to the Field Manual, How to Use This Report, the Detailed Task/Decision Matrix, the Resource Sheets referred to in the Matrix, In-House Company Processes Needed, Table of Preferred Consultants and Service Providers, and the SPIM 3-1 Detailed Repair Investigation Checklist.