The Erskine Pipeline, operated in the UKCS by ChevronTexaco experiences temperatures of up to 130 deg C. The pipeline is trenched and buried to provide sufficient insulation against wax formation. The high temperature introduces upheaval buckling propensity due to the resultant high axial stresses in the pipe wall. As part of their pipeline integrity management system the operator required a means of monitoring the shape of the pipeline to identify any regions of concern where the risk of buckling was increased due to seabed topography or where the pipeline profile was changing over time. Advance warning of potential or developing problems would allow timely action, such as additional rock dumping, to be taken. Following a review of inspection techniques available, which showed there was no off the shelf solution available, the operator set up a development project in conjunction with RST Projects Limited, with the objective of developing a high temperature variant of RST's SAAM pipeline inspection tool. The SAAM Tool, which has been developed as a low cost means of pipeline inspection, has a number of applications, one of the most important being the detection, assessment and monitoring of pipeline out of straightness. RST had previously undertaken inspection work for ChevronTexaco in the Galley and Strathspey pipelines. This paper presents a description of the development work undertaken as well as summarising the results of the 2 inspections carried out to date. The paper also considers the merits, in terms of cost and lead time, in the approach taken in the setting up and running of this particular project.
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