Page 150 - Pipeline Pigging Technology
P. 150

The Zeepipe  challenge






















                     Fig.2. Zeepipe construction schedule.

     in intelligent pigging technology  have made it possible  to inspect  the  total
     810-km gas pipeline as one pigging section. This makes it possible to eliminate
     the intermediate platform and make substantial savings, based on the conclu-
     sion that conventional pigs will be capable of running this length during the
     precommissioning and commissioning operations.  Conventional pigging is
     not envisaged during normal  operations.
        By adopting the long-distance pigging concept, the precommissioning and
     commissioning operations will be simplified. The number of offshore  opera-
     tions will be reduced, and the need for special vessels andflotels  is eliminated.
     Most of the  precommissioning and  commissioning pigging operations  will
     now be performed from   on-shore.
        The tie-in of the future compressor platform will be performed using more
     cost-effective  alternatives,  e.g. a  subsea  valve  station  or  cold/hot  tapping
     techniques.  This paper  describes  the  long-distance pigging of the  Zeepipe
     system.




        PIGGING IN        ZEEPIPE


        Definitions


        Although most people  will be familiar with  the  terminology  used  in this
     paper,  there  are  some  words  and  phrases  which  are  sometimes  used  in



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