Pipeline diversion guideline and process

[ofio]

Hi there. Many thanks for your previous replies to my question. I am now involved with a new task and its about pipeline diversion. I need assistance with regards to if there is a/are technical guideline documents out there to aid in this task and if not, if we have experts that can advise on the practical and technical aspects. The pipeline range from water,gas,oil,sewage. My initial questions are as follows:

1- How is it decided that the pipeline has to be diverted.
2- What are the process of determining the diversion location and new tie in points. What has to be considered.
3- Do the answers to the first two questions apply to all pipelines regardless of the product?

Happy to provide further information to aid response.

 

[LittleInch]

Well you didn't actually respond to the last question so you're going to need to explain yourself a bit more before I bother with this one.

What position are you in?
What type of company?
Do you not have access to anyone in your company to ask?

whilst there are some general guidelines, these are the sorts of services offered by experienced pipeline design consultants who can answer more specific questions for a fee.

These questions though are very vague and general so the answers will be likewise....


Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[ofio]

Apologies little inch. With regards to the last thread, this was not pursued further because my there were several lack of information with regards to the pipe so the solution i proposed which was a loading assessment can not be carried out. I should have provided an update so i apologize.

What position are you in- Junior Mech design (gas) Engineer with no experience of diversion work.
What type of company- Engineering Consultancy firm based England
Do you not have access to anyone in your company to ask- lets just say am the only one in my department. All my senior personnel resigned when i started so its been a steep learning curve for me.

The task is for proposing options for utilities which will be affected as a result of a major infrastructure project. The proposed infrastructure will either cross an existing pipeline, or will be in a vicinity of an existing pipeline. Initial approach i am doing is to do this exercise and present it to the utilities company. I just need some guidelines and things i need to put into consideration from practical and technical perspective. Hope this sheds more light.

Thank you for your response in advance

 

[LittleInch]

Ah, I have an idea which company that is, but I'll keep it to myself...

Start with PD 8010 pt 1 - there are some very good sections in there.

Diversion - Required if the new infrastructure is going to hit or get close to the existing utility or you can't protect it sufficiently during construction or operation. Most existing services will have rights extending 3m or more from the pipe outer edge.

Diversion location and tie-ins - mainly practical things like access to the sites, land owners, location of other services ( especially overhead wires) and ease of draining or venting the diverted pipe of its contents

Sewage is often a gravity drain on a constant slope so diversion can be really problematic unless it's a "forced main", i.e. pumped.

Many utilities use push fit pipes so may need anchor blocks.

The task of clearing and making safe the line for diversion is the responsibility of the owner, but they can charge a lot of money for this and depending on usage it may be difficult to schedule in.

diversions in the UK need planning permission only if they are under 16km long, so you need to find out from the planning authority if your diversion route is acceptable.

Design wise, replacing like with like is usually OK, but each company will have its own particular requirements and in most cases will do the engineering itself.



Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[ofio]

Many thanks. Dont know how you know the company and very curious to know if your right. You don't need an ambitious Junior engineer to mentor do you?.

With regards to the 2nd to the last line, i imagine this is the diverted section you are referring to with regards to the length?

 

[LittleInch]

I have enough at the company I work with now...

Yes it's the diverted length. This changed a few years ago, but some people might still remember when it was the total length of line including diversion which used to be the criteria.

The issue is that to get Planning permission you really need to nail down the diversion route before you can apply as there is little to no deviation allowed without needing to get a revised application approved.

Like I said I'll keep it to myself - anywhere all the senior engineers have gone won't inspire confidence in your clients if / when they find out....

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Gator]

"all the senior engineers have gone"

I find this a bit alarming.

 

[ofio]

Thanks little inch. Don't have any update just now but be rest assured i will provide one as soon as .

 

[GD2]

Ofio,
What do you mean, "the pipeline range from water, gas, oil, sewage"? Be speific, a gas pipeline requires compressors whereas the others will need pumps. Are we talking about gas pipeline looping?

Ganga D. Deka, P. Eng
Canada

 

[ofio]

Utilities pipelines ranging from gas, water, sewage oil.

 

[GD2]

Ofio,

Do you have a written project scope of work? You said you are a junior engineer, seniors have left the company. Is it something you are planning to add parallel pipelines in the existing ROW? To do this task, you first need to get hold of their existing drawings and documents, do hydraulics, select pumps/compressors, do a layout for yard piping and tie-ins.

Laying additional pipeline in the existing ROW will need to meet the spacing requirement of the local adjudication regulation.

If there is no space in the existing ROW, you are in bigger trouble. You will need a GIS team for routing selection.

I am not sure, how you alone will handle a project of this scale by yourself. It needs a whole resource team.

Ganga D. Deka, P. Eng
Canada