| Description |
The mission of the JIP was to develop a rational hydrotest alternative
methodology for deepwater gas export pipelines, and deliver a draft
recommended practice (DRP) for implementation on select pilot projects. The
execution of the JIP requires a comprehensive approach in order to develop a
hydrotest alternative that is practical and provides the same level of
pipeline-integrity assurance as the current hydrotest method.
The JIP was co-managed by Intec Engineering and Det Norske Veritas and
focused strictly on deepwater export gas pipelines. Phase I execution was
divided into five tasks. Tasks 1 and 2 intended to review available material
and provide background information with Task 1 focusing on hydrotest-related
data and previous work and Task 2 devoted to reviewing regulations, codes,
and previous hydrotest waiver cases. With the background provided by Tasks 1
and 2, the formulation and development of the hydrotest alternative
methodology became the goals of Task 3. Interface work with industry and
regulatory agencies was executed under Task 4, to ensure that the
expectations of operators and regulators were met by the DRP. Task 5
provided the final written report . Phase 2 which was proposed but not
executed, would have broadened the scope with regard to the type of
pipelines, i.e., shallow water gas pipelines and pilot project
implementations of Phase I. |
| Progress |
A Phase I kick-off meeting was held January 25, 2005. In July 2005, MMS
received a draft final report and draft recommended practice (DRP) as a
result from the work completed under Phase I of this JIP. Review of the July
Report and DRP resulted in MMS/DOT's rejection of the alternative provided.
Since MMS did not co-fund this effort, we have no publication rights to the
report and Draft Recommended Practice therefore should you had need for the
research results, requests can be made to Intec Engineering of Houston, TX. |
