| Abstract | Nowadays, natural gas is taking part as a vital important role leading to the world energy demand because oil gradually depletes in the oil and gas industry. Nevertheless, to produce oil and gas from offshore area and onshore, pipelines are needed to install by means of the international standard codes.
After the installation, pipeline inspection and commissioning will be commenced. In pipeline inspection, there are three main parts to inspect namely (1) In-line inspection (2) Pressure tests and (3) External inspection.
Requirements regarding pipeline operations must be
1. safe (the safety for humans and animals must be ensured)
2. economical (the operation of a pipeline must be sufficient and commercially viable)
3. environmental friendly (the pipeline and its operation must not impact on the environment)
4. regulating compliance (the operation of the pipeline comply with regulations)
Similarly, requirements regarding pipeline maintenance must ensure that
1. the pipeline is always operated safely
2. the pipeline is operated efficiently and economically
3. the pipeline is compliant
4. the pipeline is available
In-line inspection contains free swimming tools (intelligent pigs, cleaning, batching and sealing pigs). Pigs can clean the pipeline and detect cracks, flaws and leakages. Cable tools (pump tools and crawler tools) are also used. Pressure test contains two types namely hydrostatic pressure test and stress test. In external inspection, coating survey and cathodic protection are main factors.
In pipeline commissioning, there are seven main factors as follows:
1. filling with water
2. cleaning the pipeline
3. gauging
4. hydrotesting
5. dewatering
6. vacuum drying
7. nitrogen filling and nitrogen packing
Safety standard should be taken into account for all procedures in the new pipeline design. Before the transportation of the product, pipeline inspection and commissioning will be needed to implement precisely because the new pipeline requires to be rigid during its design service life without any replacement or repair. Now, modern pipeline technology will provide the requirements for the detail design and inspection technology of offshore and on shore pipelines in the future. |