Today, there are no recognised specifications or recommended practices available for Subsea Pipeline Integrity Management Systems.

DNV is currently launching two Joint Industry Projects (JIP) covering these aspects.
ThefirstJIP,managedbyDNVHvik,invitesoilandgascompanies,surveycompaniesandauthoritiesworldwideto participate in developing a DNV Recommended Practice - (RP)-F116 Subsea Pipeline System Integrity Management. The second JIP, leading to a Guideline for the development of a Subsea Pipeline Integrity Management Program for the Gulf of Mexico , will be managed by DNV Houston and funded by pipeline owners and operators in the Gulf of Mexico. Due to current industry practices, a significant percentage of unpiggable pipelines, local regulatory requirements and Gulf of Mexico reporting requirements, a local guideline is required for pipelines in this area. The outcome of this JIP will be referred to, or incorporated into the DNV RP -F116. In addition, the DNV OS -F101 is being updated and the 2007 revision will introduce a requirement of a Pipeline Integrity Management system within the oil and gas operator s organisations. The currently launched JIP project will provide details regarding the content of this required PIM system. Will solve integrity challenges Bente H. Leinum, the project manager for the DNV RP -F116, points out: Today, there are no recognised specifications or recommended practices available for Subsea Pipeline Integrity Management Systems. Onshore standards, such as API1160 Managing System Integrity for Hazardous Liquid Pipelines and ASME B31.8S Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines , are currently used for subsea pipelines together with the oil and gas companies own systems, which are often project -specific PIM -documentation. The RP and guideline are being prepared in response to the pipeline industry s recognition of the need for such documents as a result of: Aging pipeline system The lifetime extension and requalification of existing pipelines n Optimised design, which implies a stricter need for monitoring n Novel design producing new challenges n The introduction of PIM for onshore pipelines (API1160, ASME31.8S).
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The output from both JIPs will address in -service issues of concern, from the early design phase through to the operational phase. They aim to be state -ofthe-art documents, developed in close cooperation with the industry and reflecting industry practices and sound engineering practices for establishing and maintaining the integrity of subsea pipeline systems. The development and utilisation of the DNV RP -F116 and the guideline for the Gulf of Mexico will put more focus on the operational phase from the early design phase, allowing a more optimised inspection and maintenance regime, and hence provide a reduction in operational costs. In addition, the establishment of a more uniform PIM system within and across operator organisations will be promoted. The operators may also use the RP to document compliance to the authorities, explains Bente H Leinum. Dan Powell, the project manager for the Gulf of Mexico guideline, points out: It will identify the components of a subsea pipeline integrity management programme and provide a highly detailed framework that producers or pipeline operators can utilise when preparing the integrity management programmes for their own pipeline systems. The guideline will also include a detailed framework for a direct assessment methodology, which would be applicable to the unpiggable subsea pipelines and will be submitted to the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, International (NACE) for review and approval. This work will be referred to in the DNV RP -F116. Ultimately, both the DNV RP -F116 and the Gulf of Mexico guideline aim to ensure that each subsea pipeline is managed in a cost -effective manner, with a focus on maintaining safety and protecting the environment throughout its operational lifetime. The documents are intended to be applicable to subsea pipelines, both piggable and unpiggable, which transport natural gas or hydrocarbon liquids, and will address integrity management relating to both internal and external corrosion as well as other relevant threats to the system, such as free span and third party damage. Date: 04 May 2007 Author: Svein Inge Leirgulen