Pipeline construction

[Mafuta]

I would need to get opinions from experienced pipeline engineers. In few days I will be representing my company in reviewing the pipeline construction contract details with the constructor. What's expected of me as a client?
Some more inforamation:

*Flowline tying the well to the process facility, about 5km away.
*Natural gas, sweet.
*Surface piping
*Flow rate 20+MMSCFD

 

[BigInch]

If its onshore(?) and only 5 km long, you shouldn't have too many problems, but try to imagine what problems could come along and what they would do to solve them. Things like, if they have personally examined the right of way and are happy with what they saw, you find a fault line crossing the way and have to overexcavate (do you have the equipment on hand or quickly available), you find a hidden Egyptian burial ground (what cultural preservation service would they call), a big piece of equipment breaks down (do they have spares on hand, or where the nearest replacement is located and how fast can they get hold of it). Will the equipment be new, or could it be in poor condition? Is the equipment spread big enough, strong and robust enough to handle the job. Who will be the principal people assigned to the job (what's their experience)? How long will it take them to get any work or occupation permits they need. The object there being to find out if its included in base price, or if it would have to be covered under extra work and if they have the knowledge, experience, equipment and the resources available to handle them. Don't forget that with a well waiting to come onstream, you can't be playing games while a contractor calls around looking for spare parts, etc.

Take official notes, type them up and have everybody sign.

In other words, make sure that the contract says in so many words, that even if its inspected and accepted, you (the contractor) still have to make it work.

And a very good last question is, "If you might have any problems (in addition to what we've discussed above), what do you think they might be, how would you solve them and would that be included in the base price or would it be extra work. Then if they do have that problem and didn't bring the tools to the party, at least your *A* is covered.








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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/

 

[SJones]

There are 'contract details' and there are 'execution details'. Big Inch's reply are some of the execution details. Are you at the stage of the contract where you have an execution plan and a quality assurance plan submitted or is it just a kick off meeting?

The principal thing that is expected of you as a client is that you know the contract better than the contractor and are in a position to guide, advise and interpret. So, plenty of bedtime reading study ahead!!

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

 

[Mafuta]

Thanks guys for your contributions. The stage of is at excution stage, so quality assuarnce plan will be submitted. So, i'm supposed to asses the plan if it complies with 'good pratice' as regards to oil and gas stanadrds.
It's onshore construction