TRAINING FOR PIPELINE ENGINEERS

MODULE 1

Introduction to Pipeline
Engineering

Presented by Engr. Arua Dike

(+2348032056192)
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Introduction
Pipelines are lifelines of the global oil/gas industry, providing economic,
reliable means to transport oil and natural gas from upstream
production to downstream refineries, power stations and markets,
crossing nations, oceans and continents.

Transportation of liquids and gases by pipelines has been used for

thousands of years. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian used pipes to
transport water, hydrocarbons and even natural gases (Hopkins, 2007).
Today’s pipeline industry was originated from the oil business that
brought considerable amount of profits to the energy producers and
pipeline operators. Nowadays, pipeline development has been driving
the expanding energy demands. In addition to be one of the most
environment-friendly and the safest means for oil and natural gas
transportation, pipelines have been integrated into the components of
national security in most countries.

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Training Objective
The objective of this training is to enable participant understand what pipeline
engineering is all about.

At the end of the subject under discussion, it is expected that participants

understand the following:
 Meaning of Pipeline Engineering
 Some Basic terminologies relating to pipeline
 Roles and Responsibilities of Pipeline Engineers
 Requirement for Becoming a Pipeline Engineer
 Evaluation to becoming a good Pipeline Engineer
 Overview of Pipeline Engineering Design
 Required International Codes and Standards for Pipeline Engineering
 Difference Between Piping and Pipeline Engineering
 Computer software requirement for Pipeline Engineers

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What is Pipeline Engineering?
Pipeline engineering is defined as that field of engineering that studies the
various principles, technologies, and techniques used in the planning, design,
analysis, construction, operation, and maintenance of pipelines for
transportation of any cargo, be it liquid, gas, solid, or even packaged
products.

In the oil and gas industry pipeline engineering is a multi-faceted, complex

and challenging occupation where you can apply your engineering skills to
"real time" operations of the oil and gas industry. Oil and gas pipelines
function much like a railway network, with long and short lines and
numerous pick-up and drop-off points along the way. While trains carry
people, freight, tankers and grain cars above the ground, pipelines move oil
and gas products such as crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum
products beneath the ground.

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Taxonomy of Pipelines
Pipelines can be categorized in many difference ways as follows:
According to Commodity Transported
 Water Pipelines
 Sewage Pipelines (sewers)
 Natural Gas Pipelines
 Oil Pipelines (For Crude Oil)
 Product Pipeline ( for Petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet
fuel, etc
 Solid Pipelines (coal, other minerals, sand, solid waste, wood pulp, parcel,
mail, consumer goods, etc)
According to Fluid Mechanics
Single-Phase incompressible flow

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Taxonomy of Pipelines – Cont’d
According to Fluid Mechanics
 Single-Phase incompressible flow
 Single-Phase compressible flow
 Two-phase flow solid liquid mixture (hydrotransport)
 Two phase flow of solid-gas mixture (pneumotransport)
 Two phase flow of liquid-gas mixture
 Two phase flow of capsules
 Non-Newtonian fluids
According to Environment
 Offshore Pipelines
 Onshore Pipelines (Inland, In-plant, mountain or cross mountain pipelines)
 Space pipelines (pipelines to be built in outer space for space exploration on another
planet

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Taxonomy of Pipelines – Cont’d
 Space pipelines (pipelines to be built in outer space for space exploration
on another planet
According to Type of Burial or Support
Underground pipelines
Above ground pipelines
Elevated Pipelines
Underwater (Submarine) Pipeline
According to Pipe Material
Steel pipeline
Cast iron pipelines
Plastic pipeline
Concrete pipelines

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Basic Terminologies of Pipeline
Term Definition

Pipeline It is a facility through which fluids are conveyed, including pipe,

pig traps, components and appurtenances, up to and including
the isolating valves
Flowline An in-field pipeline transporting untreated hydrocarbons and
other reservoir fluids, or a pipeline used to inject gas into a
reservoir (gas injection flowline) or a pipeline to inject water
into a reservoir (water injection flowline).
Foreign Pipeline Pipelines that belong to other operators

Loop Line A new pipeline which is parallel and connected to existing

pipeline

Hotline An existing pipeline, which is loaded with fluid in a pressurised

state

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Basic Terminologies of Pipeline
Term Definition

Trunkline The principal component of the pipeline transmission system into

which gathering lines flow or from which distributing lines emanate.
These pipelines are the set of large diameter carbon steel pipelines
which carry the petroleum products across countries or borders
Interstate These are trunk lines that transfer petroleum (Crude oil, Natural gas
Pipelines and Products) across country borders. They also called Cross
country pipelines.
Intrastate These are trunk lines that transfer petroleum (Crude oil, Natural gas
Pipelines and Products) across various states in a country

Transmission A transmission line is a pipeline used to transport natural gas or

Line crude oil from a gathering, processing or storage facility to a
processing or storage facility, large volume customer, or distribution
system.

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Basic Terminologies of Pipeline
Term Definition

Gathering Gathering lines are tied to the flowlines through an intermediary

Line manifold and are the next segment of the gathering system. If
separation, treating, heating, dehydrating, compression, pumping or
other processing has not occurred along the flowline before the
fluid or gas is gathered, then the gathering lines will transport the
fluids or gasses through a processing point such as a central facility.

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What does a pipeline Engineer do?
Pipeline Engineers typically perform duties associated with:
 Planning and design
 Construction
 Integrity and corrosion control
 Troubleshooting
 Consulting and project management
Every field of engineering is used to ensure the safe and efficient operation of
this vital component of the oil and gas industry. There are many exciting
pipeline engineering jobs including:
 Pipeline/Facilities Design Engineer
 Pipeline Inspection Engineer
 Corrosion/Integrity Engineer
 Pipeline Controls Engineer
 Pipeline Operations Engineer
 Pipeline Electrical Engineer
 Subsea Pipeline Engineer
 Pipeline Mechanical Engineer
 Subsea Inspection Engineer
 Consulting Project Engineer

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What are the working conditions for a pipeline engineer?
Working conditions will vary by location considering pipelines can be
found onshore, offshore and in the Arctic region.

Pipeline Engineers are typically based at corporate or operational

headquarters working indoors. Occasional travel to the worksite is
required for the job. Inclement weather, isolation, potentially hazardous
conditions and shift work can be expected. Safety is very important
and you will be expected to adhere to all regulations and policies.

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Basic requirements for a pipeline engineer
You will need a five year Bachelor of Science/engineering degree from an
accredited college or university. You can choose from a variety of
engineering disciplines which include structural, metallurgical, petroleum,
Marine, chemical, computer, electrical, and mechanical. All are applicable
to the pipeline engineering occupation.

You will also need a license to practice as an engineer. In Nigeria,

COREN is responsible for administering and issuing licenses.

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Evaluation to becoming a good Pipeline Engineer
 I am curious how things work?
 Do I like to build new things and enjoy making improvements?.
 I am good at math, sciences and technology?.
 I am creative and innovative?.
 I can apply critical thinking to problem solving?.
 I can clearly explain technical things to others?.
 I am great team player and am able to build personal and professional
relationships?.
 I am a good communicator?.
 I am interested in pursuing a university education that may require at least four or
more years of study?.
 I have a strong aptitude for working with computers/database systems.?
 I have the stamina and enthusiasm to work in a variety of work environments and
conditions?.
 I can handle traveling for long periods and being away from home for up to three
weeks or longer?.
 I am comfortable working in a 24/7 work environment while out at field
locations?.
 I believe that following safety policies and procedures is very important.
 I believe I am well suited for a career as a Pipeline Engineer!

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Roles and Responsibilities of a pipeline Engineer
A typical lead Pipeline Engineer is responsible for:
 All Pipeline Engineering activities related to the scope of work to ensure that it is
carried out in accordance with the pertinent specifications statutory and
contractual requirements with due regard to safety, operability, maintainability and
constructability aspects.
 Preparation of Discipline Project Design Basis
 Ensuring the team members possess the approved specifications, procedures,
instructions, codes and standard to be utilised
 Delegate jobs/assignment to the appropriate Discipline Engineer.
 Conducting Quality check on all completed jobs before transmittal.
 Preparation of weekly and monthly (when required) Progress reports.
 Preparation of Request for weekly overtime (when necessary).
 Attendance of Project meetings
 Co-ordination and supervision of work assigned to discipline engineers.
 Liaising with other department heads for proper execution of work

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Roles and Responsibilities of a pipeline Engineer – Cont’d

 Managing work progress and its acceptance by the client

 Shall ensure that the design is developed such that the design can be
constructed, installed or integrated into existing facilities and operated
according to the specifications
 Report to Project Manager on work progress and actual or envisaged
critical activities which might have an effect on overall project
execution
 Implementing follow-up and reporting of their internal budget (when
there is any)
 Ensuring that where necessary the appropriate software suite is being
applied and that integrity check of the design deliverable is completed.
 Ensure that all deliverables are completed on time, in accordance with
the project schedules

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Roles and Responsibilities of a pipeline Engineer – Cont’d
 Ensure that the work is done to the specified quality

 Give input to overall endorsement report within area of responsibility

 Ensure that vendor information (when necessary) required to progress

the work are identified and communicated

 Implement project strategies and philosophies

 Make contract specifications, project requirements, challenges and

success criteria known

 Status reporting of the design within area of responsibility

 Any other jobs as may be assigned by the Project management

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Overview of Pipeline Engineering Design

There are a number of factors that have to be considered in design of long-

distance oil/gas transmission pipelines, such as:
 determination of the market need,
 specification of pipe and components,
 route selection,
 environmental assessments,
 public consultation, l
 and acquisition and permitting.
Furthermore, in order to achieve the optimum operation and management for a
pipeline system, complex engineering and technological studies must be
conducted to determine pipeline steel material and size selection, pressure
requirement, flow velocity, and coating and cathodic protection design. Therefore,
initiation of a pipeline project usually begins several years in advance of the actual
construction. Generally, major factors affecting the pipeline design include
(Mohitpour et al., 2007):

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Overview of Pipeline Engineering Design – Cont’d

Generally, major factors affecting pipeline design include

(Mohitpour et al., 2007):
 Fluid properties
 Route selection:
 Environmental impact
 Material selection:
 Pipeline protection and integrity management:

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Computer software requirement for pipeline engineers

Title
Purpose

AutoCAD Drafting
AutoPIPE Stress Analysis

Caesar II Stress Analysis

OFFPIPE Pipeline Installation Analysis

OrcaFlex Pipeline/Riser/Spoolpiece Installation Analysis

FLEXICOM Flexible Riser Installation Analysis

AGA PRCI L1 & L2 WIN Pipeline On-Bottom Stability

Pipeline Expansion Analysis and General Calculation

MathCAD
Spreadsheet

Microsoft Office Report/Documentation

GIS Pipeline Routing Study

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Pipeline Engineers Deliverables
Pipeline discipline final documents/deliverables shall include the
followings:
 Pipeline Wall Thickness Calculation.
 Buckling/Collapse Checks.
 Pipeline On-Bottom Stability Analysis.
 Pipeline Expansion Analysis.
 Pipeline Allowable Span Analysis.
 Alignment Sheets.
 Field Layout/Route Drawing.
 Riser General Arrangement Drawings Including Cross-Sections as
applicable.
 Demolition Drawings.
 Pipeline Crossing Analysis Design.
 Pipeline Crossing Details.
 Spool piece Details

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Pipeline Engineers Deliverables
Pipeline discipline final documents/deliverables shall include the followings:
 Pipeline Wall Thickness Calculation.
 Buckling/Collapse Checks.
 Pipeline On-Bottom Stability Analysis.
 Pipeline Expansion Analysis.
 Pipeline Allowable Span Analysis.
 Alignment Sheets.
 Field Layout/Route Drawing.
 Riser General Arrangement Drawings Including Cross-Sections as
applicable.
 Demolition Drawings.
 Pipeline Crossing Analysis Design.
 Pipeline Crossing Details.
 Spool piece Details

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Pipeline Engineer’s Deliverables Cont.
 Pipeline Upheaval Buckling Analysis (if needed).
 Pipeline Installation Analysis.
 Pipeline Installation Details (for onshore pipeline).
 Riser and Spoolpiece Installation Analysis.
 Pipeline / Riser Spoolpiece Installation Details.
 Pipeline / Riser Spoolpiece Installation Procedure.
 Riser Stress Analysis and VIV Checks.
 Pipeline / Riser Fatigue Checks (if necessary).
 Hydrotest Plan / Procedure.
 Pipeline Design Technical Data Sheets
 Pipeline Installation Technical Data Sheets / Specifications.
 Pipeline CP/Coating Technical Data Sheets / Specifications.
 Pipeline Fittings / Materials Technical Data Sheets / Specifications.
 Any other deliverables as may be required by the Client approved
CTRs.

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THANK YOU

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