Pipelines—Design, Maintenance and Integrity
8 February 2006 Aberdeen Branch Evening Meeting
Chairman Jerry Baker, Boreas Consultants Ltd
Sponsored by Isensys, FTL Seals Technology, Advantica and Subsea 7
Report 
by David Liddle
Overview
Pipelines are a very important element in the transportation of crude oil and gas, and their integrity is not only crucial to the safe guard of supply but also to the prevention of environmental disasters. Hence, as the infrastructure develops so does the need to maintain and repair these assets in an effective and cost-effective manner. These presentations provide some insight and operational experiences of recent developments in this field.
Presentations
Jonathan White, Advantica
Advantica speaks about a new JIP that will take the successful surface technology of the grounded tee, developed by British Gas, into a subsea version. A subsea grounded tee has many advantages over a hyperbarically welded tee, including substantial cost savings and greater applicability. The subsea grouted tee has the potential to radically alter the economics of small marginal satellite developments that may otherwise remain fallow. Learn how Advatica and the JIP sponsors will make the subsea grouted tee a reality in this presentation.
The 'VARPIG', or Centreline Multidimensional Suspension System
Warwick Lockwood, FTL Seals Technology Ltd
The VARPIG was designed and patented as a direct result of the pipeline pig functional requirements for the Stateoil Asgard pipeline. This presentation shows not only operational experience, but also how FTL took a new and revolutionary approach to meet the client's requirements and produce a true multi-diameter capability.
Pipeline Integrity Monitoring—IRM-Capable
Optical Fibre Strain Measurement
Alistar Birnie, Insensys Ltd
Integrity monitoring for subsea infrastructure has become a key consideration for subsea flow assurance, particularly for deepwater systems that stretch the boundaries of metallurgy. This presentation outlines how optical fibres strain measurement can be applied to subsea pipelines, and highlights some recent high-profile projects in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea.
TechByte Technology
Paddy Collins, Ythan Environmental Services Ltd
Paddy Collins, now of Aubin SubSea, presented information on deepwater gel pipe insulation. The properties of the gel provide a substance with a high thermal mass which does not loose heat and hence has good potential applications for flow assurance. The gel can be pumped in a subsea environment utilising ROV technology and is currently undergoing its first installation in deep water (800 metres) off West Africa.