Offshore Platform Piping Design 1

[bosse1950]

I have been assigned to put together a piping class on Offshore Platform Piping Design - After 39 years in the petro chem industry I am looking for guidance in this new to me specialized field. Any input will be greatly appreciated

 

[BigInch]

See these two,

The basic concepts of a platform safety system are discussed and protection ... 14E - Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems

ANSI/API. ... ANSI/API 521 - Guide for Pressure-Relieving and Depressuring Systems.

Fiberglass piping, but same principles apply.

http://www.smithfiberglass.com/pdf/C3800.pdf

and make it as tight as possible.

If that isn't enough, here's some more,

http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/AAC/title18/chapter075/section090.htm

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[JLSeagull]

Corrosion is severe offshore. Consider Xylan coated bolts and special offshore coating on valves and everything that should not rust away. API RP 14E is a requirement for US work.

Depending upon your offshore scope, you may also want begin to familiarize the Department of Interior Minerals Management Service and some US Coast Guard rules. For any vessel hull design you will deal with ABS rules. These can be downloaded at

http://www.eagle.org/absdownloads/index.cfm

 

[GregLamberson]

Also, API RP 57, Offshore Well Head Completions.

Some others that may be helpful:

API RP 1111, Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Offshore Hydrocarbon Pipelines

API RP 14C, Recommended Practice for Analysis, Design, Installation, and Testing of Basic Surface Safety Systems for Offshore Production Platforms

If GOM - 30 CFR 250, Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[GregLamberson]

Also bosse1950, offshore platform piping falls under ASME B31.3.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[SJones]

And, with 39 years in petrochem, don't forget that an offshore platform is just a petrochem plant over the water! If you've drafted onshore piping classes, there's not much more to it; you may just get some different materials somewhere as the exploration and production philosophies may not be the same as the downstream approach.

ISO 13703, Annex B gives some guidance on drafting piping classes (as well as other offshore related stuff!)

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/

 

[carthago]

You may have flange ratings higher than 2500 #

So it is handy to have a copy of API 6A
this a good one if you will deal with ESD valves.

I believe a the distinction (limit of application of ) between the B31.3 Code and the other offshore Code (with wave loads..)should appear on PID's (at least this is my experience!) that non B31.3 is for the pipeline peoples and not piping boys.

It is handy to have a look for instance on

http://wwww.norsok.no

standards ( some of them are on line)

 

[JLSeagull]

Offshore design includes a great emphasis on weight. This leads to more fitting makeup, smaller plant layout, etc. Large main steel structures likely require tubulars instead of I and C shaped steel. Such oddly shaped tubular supports interfere with design in all discipline.

 

[BigInch]

B31.3 for platform piping & MMS has additonal regs
B31.4 oil pipelines & CFR Title 49 Part 194
B31.8 gas pipelines & CFR Title 49 Part 192
see MMS regs for gathering lines

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[NozzleTwister]

The offshore platforms that I've worked on have made heavy use of 'compact flanges' in the higher pressure ratings and larger sizes.

Here is a link to one commonly used manufacturer:

http://www.vectorint.com/mainSections/Section02_SPO/2_products_intro.asp

Good luck

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas