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2 PiPelines international | Dec ember 2010

issue 006 | December 2010

The publishers welcome editorial contributions from interested

parties. However, the publishers do not accept responsibility

for the content of these contributions and the views contained

therein which will not necessarily be the views of the publish-

ers. The publishers do not accept responsibility for any claims

made by advertisers.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, by providing edito-

rial material to Great Southern Press (GSP), including text and

images you are providing permission for that material to be sub-

sequently used by GSP, whole or in part, edited or un changed,

alone or in combination with other material in any publication

or format in print or online or howsoever distributed, whether

produced by GSP and its agents and associates or another party

to whom GSP has provided permission.

[email protected]

www.pipelinesinternational.com

REGULARS

4 From the Editor18 Pipes & people64 Advertisers Index Subscriptionform Comingin future issues

AROUND THE WORLD

6 Enbridge set to expand NorthAmericas crude oil pipeline network

8 Leighton awarded pipelay contractoshore Iraq

11 Colombia moves toward constructionof its longest oil pipeline

12 OPAL Germanys pipeline gem13 GSPL to construct Indias two longest

pipelines

14 World Wrap16 Project briefs

REGION REVIEW: EUROpE

19 Energy security and pipeline politics inEurope

pIpELINE EqUIpmENT

24 A pipelayer for every season: choosingthe right equipment for your next

challenge

INDUSTRy NEWS

28 Padding machines WorldWide30 Inside and out:

benets of pipeline coating

32 Weld smarter: CRC-Evans new weldingsystem with laser vision technology

SWAmp TERRAIN

34 Getting the job done in swamp, marshand wetland terrain

37 Punj Lloyd: specialising in swamppipeline construction

pROjEcTS

39 Oando nearing completionon Nigerian pipeline

TEcHNIcAL

42 Dealing with the technicalities of CO2pipelines

pIGGING

44 Cleaning pigs maintaining pipeline integrity

47 Fitness-for-service assessment ofunpiggable pipelines

48 Kick start a successful business year atPPIM 2011

ENGINEERING

50 A snapshot of engineering contractorsand their capabilities

mEET THE ASSOcIATION

52 Committed to corrosion prevention:NACE International

HISTORy

54 The Salaya Mathura Pipeline System

SAFETy

56 HSE keeping UKs pipelines safe

pRODUcTS AND SERVIcES

57 PLM and ek pass team-up to providepipeline training

57 Emerson launches Shafer SH Seriesgas-over-oil pipeline actuator

57 Maats and Liebherr developenvironmentally-friendly equipment

57 Galaxy pencil brushes on trial in Gulfof Suez

EVENT REVIEWS

58 Industry converges on Calgary for IPC 2010

59 Pipeline convention down under60 Rehabilitation conference hits the target

EVENTS

62 Get to the p remier CO2 transportationevent in June 2011

62 Solve the unpiggable pipeline puzzle inHouston this March

63 Be the best in the business, meet thebest in the business

12 28 39

contents

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Many were injured to various degrees

and eight people died in the gas

pipeline explosion at around

6:11 pm on 9 September in San Bruno,

California. The Pacic Gas and Electric (PG&E)

Line 132 Pipeline ruptured at a road intersection

in the small town in the southern suburbs of

San Francisco, releasing approximately

1.7 MMcm of gas, destroying 37 houses and

damaging 18 more.

The eect of events such as these has the

potential to impact surrounding communities

in increasingly devastating ways. The scenario

is becoming every pipeline operators worst

nightmare as owners and operators deal with

issues of encroachment.

In this case since 1956, but in many other

cases around the world for varying lengths of

time, communities have expanded to spreadinto areas that were open countryside at the

time of the pipelines construction.

The 30 inch diameter X42 steel pipeline

with 0.375 inch wall-thickness was constructed

in 1956, originally coated with hot-applied

asphalt, and was cathodically protected.

According to the operator, the pipelines

specied maximum operating pressure (MOP)

was 2,586 kPa and the maximum allowable

operating pressure (MAOP) for the line was

2,759 kPa.

According to the US National

Transportation Safety Boards (NTSB)

preliminary review of the incident, a short

while prior to the accident PG&E was working

on its uninterruptable power supply (UPS)

system at its Milpitas Terminal, around

63 km southeast of the accident site.

The report states:

During the course of this work, the power

supply from the UPS system to the SCADA system

malfunctioned so that instead of supplying an

output of 24 volts, the UPS system supplied

7 volts or less to the SCADA system. Because

of this anomaly, the electronic signal to theregulating valve for Line 132 was lost, resulting

in the valve moving from partially open to fully

open, as it had been designed to do. The pipeline

pressure then increased to 2,662 kPa. The

over-protection valve, which was pneumatically

activated and did not require electronic input,

maintained the pressure at 2,662 kPa.

At about 5:45 pm, the SCADA system

indicated that the pressure at PG&Es Martin

Station downstream of the rupture location

exceeded 2,586 kPa. The SCADA system showed

that the pressure at the station continued to rise

until it reached 2,689 kPa at about 6:00 pm, and

at 6:08 pm, the pressure dropped to 2,662kPa;

at 6:11 pm, the pressure at Martin Station

decreased to 2,492 kPa; within one minute, the

pressure dropped further to 1,999 kPa.

PG&E dispatched a crew at 6:45 pm to

isolate the ruptured pipe section by closing the

nearest mainline valves. The upstream valve was

closed at about 7:20 pm, and the downstream

valve (at Healy Station) was closed at about

7:40 pm. Once the ruptured section was isolated

and the gas ow was stopped, the resulting re

from the damaged pipeline self-extinguished.

Later that evening, PG&E isolated the gas

distribution system serving residences in the

area, and within a minute of stopping the gas

ow at about 11:30 pm, res from escaping

natural gas at damaged houses went out.

The NTSB reports that its initial

investigation of the pipe segments i nvolved

have shown that there were longitudinal

fractures in the rst and second pup

of the ruptured segment, and a partialcircumferential fracture at the girth weld

between these two pups. There was also a

complete circumferential fracture at the girth

weld between the fourth and fth pups in the

ruptured segment. The longitudinal fracture in

the rst pup continued into the pipe, ending in

a circumferential fracture in the middle of the

pipe.

It will take some time for the NTSB

investigation to establish the nal cause of

this incident. Meanwhile, PG&E has reacted

fast and responsibly, and has rapidly set up

considerable funding to help the residents of

San Bruno. The company has also introduced

its Pipeline 2020 programme, the ve areas of

which will strengthen the utilitys

67,425 km of gas distribution pipelines, and

10,300 km of gas transmission pipelines,

through a combination of targeted investments,

research and development, improved processes

and procedures, and tighter co-ordination

with public agencies according to a company

statement.

With relation to encroachment, it is

certainly not unknown for developers to have

no idea that they are constructing new homesacross hazardous pipelines. Vigilant operators

are well aware of this issue, and work hard

to maintain safe distances and rights-of-way.

Increased internal inspection, route walking

and overying are all carried out, but the

problem of how to manage a pipeline that

was in the country and is now in the town is

becoming seriously signicant.

The issue of encroachment is certain to be a

key industry issue now and in the future.

John Tiratsoo

Editor-in-Chief

from the eDitor

Cover shows constructionworks on the OPAL

Pipeline in Germany.

Editor-in-Chief: John TiratsooAssociateEditor: Lyndsie Mewett

ProductManager: Scott Pearce

Journalists: Stephanie Clancy

SalesManager: Tim Thompson

SeniorAccountManager: David Marsh

SalesRepresentatie: David Entringer

DesignManager: Michelle Bottger

Designers: Lela Sablic

Venysia Kurniawan

Benjamin Lazaro

Publisher: Chris Bland

ISSN: 1837-1167

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arounD the worlD

Enbridge will construct two new crude oil pipelines in Alberta, Canada, totalling 206 km, and has alsolaunched an open season through its subsidiaries for the Bakken E xpansion Programme, which willinclude the construction of approximately 266 km of crude oil pipeline in Canada and the USA.

Enbridge set to expand NorthAmericas crude oil pipeline network

The Wood Buffalo PipelineEnbridge has entered into an agreement

with Suncor Energy to construct the 95 km,

30 inch diameter Wood Bualo Pipeline in

Alberta.

The pipeline will connect Enbridges

Athabasca Terminal situated adjacent toSuncors oil sands plant to the Cheecham

Terminal, the origin point of Enbridges

Waupisoo Pipeline, which delivers crude

oil from several oil sands projects to the

Edmonton mainline hub.

The new pipeline will parallel Enbridges

existing Athabasca Pipeline between the

Athabasca and Cheecham terminals.

An application has been led with the

Alberta Energy Resources and Conservation

Board and is pending regulatory approval.

Tenders for the construction of the

pipeline are expected to be announced early

2011, and subject to obtaining regulatory

approval, right-of-way (RoW) clearing and

crossings construction is expected to begin

in the third quarter of 2011 with construction

of the pipeline expected to begin in mid-2012.

The pipelines planned in-service date is

mid-2013.

Norealis PipelineEnbridge will construct a 112 km,

24 inch diameter pipeline from Hartley to the

companys Cheecham Terminal as part of

Huskys Sunrise Oil Sands Project, located inAlberta.

Under the contract Enbridge will also

construct a new originating terminal at

Hartley, additional tankage at Cheecham, and

provide additional pipeline transportation

services on its existing Regional Oil Sands

System for up to 90,000 bbl/d of diluted

bitumen produced from Phase 1 of the Sunrise

project.

The estimated cost of the project is

approximately $US475 million with an initial

capacity of 90,000 bbl/d, expandable to

270,000 bbl/d.

Subject to obtaining regulatory approval,

RoW clearing is expected to begin in late

2011/early 2012. Pipeline construction is

planned to begin in July 2012, starting with

the Clearwater River crossing. The facilities

are expected to be in-service in the latter half

of 2013.

Pre-qualication for the pump station

and terminal facilities tenders will start in

June 2011, as will pre-qualication for thepipeline construction tender, with the tender

of the pipeline construction to occur in

September 2011.

Bakken Expansion ProgrammeEnbridge has launched a binding open

season to solicit additional shipper interest

in the Bakken Expansion Programme a

series of projects to expand crude oil

pipeline capacity in North Dakota, USA, and

Saskatchewan, Canada, to meet the crude

oil transportation needs of Williston Basin

producers.

In North Dakota Enbridge has proposed

the Beaver Lodge Loop Project, which will

involve the construction of a 72 km,

12 or 16 inch diameter looping pipeline along

the existing Enbridge North Dakota System

from the existing Beaver Lodge Station near

Tioga to Berthold. The looping pipeline is

expected to increase the capacity along the

72 km segment to approximately 315,000

bbl/d of oil. Tankage and new pump stations

will also be constructed and the pipeline

project will be undertaken by Enbridge

Pipelines (North Dakota) LLC a subsidiaryof Enbridge Energy Partners. The project is

expected to be completed by the rst quarter

of 2013.

The South of the River Truck Injection

(SORTI) and Dunn projects will consist of the

construction of a new 8 or 10 inch gathering

pipeline system to expand the Enbridge North

Dakota System, starting approximately

72 km south of its Beaver Lodge Station. The

project also consists of two new stations and

the associated work to prepare for two new

truck facilities.

The proposed expansion of Line 26/EX-02,

including added facilities in North Dakota,

Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, will include an

expansion of the US portion of the Portal Link

(Line 26) by EEP, and the construction of two

new pumping stations and enhancements ofthe pipeline north of Berthold. It is expected

that the project will begin construction in

mid-2011 and be operational by early 2013.

The Canadian portion of the Portal

Link (Line EX-02) will be extended

with the construction of a new 121 km,

16 inch diameter pipeline from Steelman,

Saskatchewan, to the Enbridge terminal at

Cromer, Manitoba. Enbridge said that it is

anticipated that the Canadian section of the

project will begin construction mid-2012 and

be completed and in-service in early 2013.

Tenders for both the US and Canadian

portions of the project are expected to be

announced between the second quarter of

2011 and the rst quarter of 2012.

TWP-077

TWP-080

TWP-083

TWP-086

TWP-089

TWP-092

TWP-095

RGE-03W4RGE-06W4R GE -1 2W 4 R GE -9 W4

SUNRISE

ENERGY SITE

PROPOSED

NEWTERMINAL

Athabasca River

63

ATHABASCA

TERMINAL

FORT MacKAY

FORT McMURRAY

ANZAC

69

881

QUIGLEY

CHARD

CONKLIN

Clearwater River

Christina River

GordonLake

NOREALISPIPELINE

CHEECHAM

TERMINAL

Christina Lake

Bohn LakeChristina River

PROPOSED NOREALIS PIPELINE

WOODLAND PIPELINE-CONSTRUCTION

TO BEGINLATE2010

WAUPISOO PIPELINE

ATHABASCA PIPELINE

SteepbankRiver

GregoireLake

WOODLAND

PUMPSTATION

September2010

PROPOSEDNOREALIS PIPELINEPROJECT

The Norealis Pipeline route.

Call for Papers:Submission Deadline

December 17, 2010

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Information:Phone.: (+55 21) 2112-9000Fax: (+55 21) 2220-1596e-mail: [email protected]

Organization / RealizationParticipation

www.riopipeline.com.br

11/10

September 20-22

Pipeline20112011

RioRioPipeline

Conference & ExpositionConference & Exposition

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arounD the worlD

The scope of work to be carried out under

the contract includes the installation

and commissioning of two 48 inch

diameter parallel pipelines, with

10 km onshore and 40 km oshore, which

will link the new Fao onshore terminal to

the new single point moorings (SPMs). In

addition, Leighton will install and commission

approximately 20 km of in-eld pipelines and

the shore crossing for a third pipeline to be

installed during future expansions.

Leighton Oshore will also be responsible

for the:

Installation of SPMs complete with subsea

pipeline end manifolds;

Fabrication and installation of a subsea

valve manifold; and,

Dredging works to achieve pipeline burial.

The project will provide enhanced export

facilities from the Fao Terminal near Al

Basrah, and forms a major part of the South

Oil Companys strategic redevelopment

programme for Iraq.

Leighton Oshore will use its vessels,

Eclipse, Stealth andMynx, to complete the

project.

The contract forms part of the Iraq

Crude Oil Export Expansion Project which is

developing oshore loading facilities to enable

export capability of 4.5 MMbbl/d of oil.

Leighton Offshore has signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Iraqs SouthOil Company to install 120 km of onshore and offshore pipelines and three single point moorings inthe Persian Gulf, offshore Iraq.

Leighton awarded pipelaycontract offshore Iraq

Leighton Offshores Stealthvessel, which will beused to complete work for SOC in the Persian Gulf. TRAININ

201

January 2528 Subsea Production Systems Engineering (Aberdeen)

January 31February 4

Defect Assessment in Pipelines (Amsterdam)

January 31

February 4 In-line Inspection of Pipelines (Amsterdam)

February 1February 3

Subsea Pipeline Engineering Course (Amsterdam)

February 1415 Defect Assessment in Pipelines (Houston)

February 1415DOT Pipeline Safety Regulations Overview and Guidelines for Compliance(Houston)

February 1415 Pigging & Inline Inspection (Houston)

February 1415 Pipeline Repair Methods / InService Welding (Houston)

February 1415Introduction to Excavation Inspection & Applied NDE for Pipeline IntegrityAssessment (Houston)

February 1415 Performing Pipeline Rehabilitation (Houston)

February 1415 Stress Corrosion Cracking in Pipelines (Houston)

February 1415 Advanced Pipeline Risk Management (Houston)

March 1718 Microbiological Corrosion in Pipelines (Houston)

March 2125 Onshore Pipeline Engineering (Houston)

April 2529 Deepwater Riser Engineering Course (Houston)

April 2529 Subsea Pipeline Engineering Course (Houston)

JAN 2011

FEB 2011

MAR 2011

APR 2011

Training courses 2011

Are you up to speed?102000 0

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10 PiPelines international | December 2010 PiPelines international | December 2010 11

A new company has been incorporated in Colombia to construct and operate a new oil pipeline, whichwill run from the Casanare Department to the port of Coveas in order to facilitate oil exports from theLlanos region, considered one of the most prospective regions in Colombia.

The proposed Bicentennial Pipeline

will be owned and operated by

newly-formed company, Oleoducto

Bicentenario de Colombia.

The shareholders of the company are

Ecopetrol (55 per cent), Pacic Rubiales

(32.88 per cent), Petrominerales (9.65 per

cent), Hocol (0.96 per cent), C&C Energa,

Rancho Hermoso Canacol Energy Ltd and

Vetra Exploracion & Produccion Colombia

SAS (0.5 per cent each).

The pipeline will consist of 42 inch and

36 inch diameter pipe, and have a capacity

of 450,000 bbl/d of crude oil.

The project will be constructed in three

stages. The rst stage includes the laying of

226 km of pipe from Araguaney to Banadia

as well as infrastructure upgrades at the port

of Coveas.

Stage two of the project will see 387 km

of pipe laid from Banada to Ayacuch, while

the nal stage will see construction of the

310 km section from Ayacucho to Coveas.

The entire project is estimated to cost

$US4.2 billion.

An Ecopetrol spokesperson said that the

bidding for the engineering, procurement

and construction contact has closed and

that the contract will be awarded soon.

The pipeline is expected to be

operational by 2012.

Building an export industryColombias crude oil production forecast

for 201015 shows that the countrys total

production will continue to increase rapidly

to gures of nearly 1.3 MMbbl/d in 2013.

Ecopetrols Executive Downstream

Vice President Pedro Rosales said The

production forecasts of recent years have

been far exceeded by reality due to the

increase in investments in exploration and

production in Colombia and a success rate

higher than expected.

This increase has necessitated the

upgrade of existing pipeline infrastructure

as well as the construction of new export

pipelines to export the oil.

Nestoil has completed commissioning activities on Spread A of the 97 km Nembe Creek Oil Pipeline,which transports crude oil from the Bonny Export Terminal to Nigerias Atlantic coast as part of aprogramme to replace ageing pipelines in the Niger River delta.

Colombia moves toward constructionof its longest oil pipeline

arounD the worlD

The existing Nembe Creek trunkline

collects crude oil from 14 oil pumping

stations across the Nembe Creek,

Krakama, Awoba, Ekulama and San

Bartholomew oil elds and transport it to the

Cawthorne Channel eld and Shell Petroleum

Development Company (SPDC) of Nigerias

Bonny Export Terminal for dehydration and

export.

The replacement pipeline has a

greater capacity than the existing pipeline

to accommodate a planned production

increase, and security of the pipeline has

been improved to stop crude oil theft.

As a result of deterioration in the integrity

of the existing trunkline due to the harsh

Niger Delta environment, vandalism and age-

related deterioration, the replacement project

was initiated to improve, modernise and

restore the technical integrity of the facilities.

The project involved the construction of

three sections of pipeline including:

5 km of 12 inch diameter pipeline fromthe Nembe Creek III manifold to the

Nembe Creek tie-in manifold;

44 km of 24 inch diameter pipeline from

Nembe Creek to San Bartholomew; and,


San Bartholomew to Cawthorne Channel.

Spread A involved the construction of

a 49 km pipeline, consisting of the 12 inch

diameter, 5 km segment and the 24 inch

diameter, 44 km segment. This section is

located in the harsh mangrove swamp terrain

of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and

traverses ve neighbourhoods consisting of

approximately 100 communities in both the

Bayelsa and Rivers states in the Niger Delta

region.

The installation required six major river

crossings, the longest being approximately

1.1 km. Another 44 river and creek crossings

of various sizes required extensive dredging

activities, and the fabrication and site

installation of one main tie-in manifold, six

block valve platforms, four pig traps and

associated piping.

The new line runs parallel to the existing

Nembe Creek Pipeline, within an expanded

right-of-way (RoW). The existing line is now

to be decommissioned.

The contract for Spread B of the pipeline


San Bartholomew to Cawthorne Channel

was awarded to Saipem in 2007.

Beneting the communityThe replacement project is being

undertaken by a joint venture comprising of

the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

(55 per cent), SPDC Ltd (30 per cent), Total

E&P Nigeria Ltd (10 per cent) and the

Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd (5 per cent).

The Nembe Creek Pipeline construction

is currently the largest single project under

the SPDC joint ventures ongoing asset

integrity programme that has replaced

more than 1,000 km of major pipelines and

owlines in the last ve years.

arounD the worlD

Maintaining Nigeriaspipeline integrity

River Niger

T he loc at io n o f S he ll Pe tr ol eu m D eve lo pm en t C om pa ny of Nig er ias Bon ny Ex por t Te rm in al. M ap of th e p ro pos ed Bi ce nt en ni al Pi pe li ne .

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arounD the worlD

Indias Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) hasawarded a contract to a consortium led by Gujarat State PetronetLtd (GSPL) to build and operate two cross-country natural gaspipelines.

GSPL to construct Indiastwo longest pipelines

OPAL Germanys pipeline gem

T

he 1,585 km Mallavaram Bhilwara

Pipeline will transport gas from the

D6 gas elds in the Krishna GodavariBasin on the east coast of Andhra Pradesh to

Bhilwara in Rajasthan.

The pipeline will have the capacity to

transport 30 MMcm/d of gas.

The GSPL consortium has also been

awarded the contract to construct and

operate the 1,670 km Mehsana Bhatinda

Pipeline, which will connect west India to

the north of the country and will transport a

mix of domestic and imported gas.

The consortium expects to commission

both pipelines between 2013 and mid-2014.The pipelines are expected to cost

$US1.3 billion each.

GSPL holds a 52 per cent interest in the

consortium, Indian Oil Corporation has a

26 per cent stake, and Hindustan Petroleum

Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum

Corporation Limited each hold interests of

11 per cent.

The 470 km OPAL project is being

built by Wingas on behalf of OPAL

NEL Transport GmbH and E.ON

Ruhrgas AG. It will run from the German

Baltic Sea coast through Mecklenburg-West

Pomerania, Brandenburg and Saxony

to the Czech Republic. With a 56 inch

diameter and a capacity of 36 Bcm/a, the

OPAL Pipeline is the largest natural gas

pipeline to be laid in Europe.

We are very satisfied with the progress

of the construction work so far, said

Managing Director of OPAL NEL Transport

Bernd Vogel.

Despite the long winter and difficult

weather conditions at the start of the year,

we are on schedule. We want to bring OPAL

on stream in October 2011 together with the

Nord Stream Pipeline, he said.

A signicant portion of the construction

work in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and

Saxony is expected to be completed toward

the end of the year.

There are currently 2,500 people

working on the entire pipeline track

between Greifswald and the Ore

Mountains.

The builders will have to cross

172 roads, four highways, 27 rail lines and

39 rivers and streams before completing

the construction work.

The topsoil has been removed from

more than 400 km of the pipeline track;

over 400 km of pipe has been welded

together, said Wingas Chief Construction

Manager Michael Muth, detailing the

progress of construction work.

Mr Muth is confident that the pipeline

will be completed on schedule. We have

already begun recultivating the farmland

in some areas.

Construction crews on the Ostsee Pipeline Anbindungs Leitung (OPAL), which will connect Germanyand Europe to the major natural gas reserves in Siberia via the Nord Stream Pipeline, have reachedthe Czech Republic border a year after the commencement of construction.

Pipeline works underway on the OPAL Pipeline.

arounD the worlD


Despite the long winter and difficult weather conditions

at the start of the year, we are on schedule. We want to

bring OPAL on stream in October 2011 together with the

Nord Stream Pipeline.

opal net transport managing director bernd vogel

GSPLs pipeline network in India.

PiPelines international | December 2010 13

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14 PiPelines international | Dec ember 2010To stay informed on all this news and more, subscribe to the Pipelines International Update

Construction kicks off on Chinese section of Myanmar China PipelineConstruction has begun on the Chinese portion of the Myanmar

China Pipeline project in Anning City, located in southwest China's

Yunnan Province. China National Petroleum Corporation will build

and operate the pipeline, which is anticipated to be completed in

2013. The pipeline project involves the construction of a 2,402 km

oil pipeline and a 2,500 km gas pipeline running between the

two countries.

Construction commences on South StreamPipeline in SerbiaConstruction on the South Stream Pipeline has

begun in the southeastern Serbian town of Nis.

The 120 km Serbian section of the pipeline will

transport gas 52 km from Nis to Leskovac, and

then on to Vranje. The Nis to Leskovac section is

expected to be completed by May 2011.

Georgia and Iraq to feed Nabucco PipelineTwo pipelines are planned to be constructed to the Turkish Georgian

border and the Turkish Iraqi border respectively, to supply gas into the

proposed 3,300 km Nabucco Pipeline. The planned routes of the feeder

pipelines oer a wide range of supply sources for the pipeline, which will

receive gas from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq. A decision on the

feeder pipelines was made after the projects shareholders agreed on a

modication of the original feeder line concept, which included sourcing

gas from Iran.

GAIL commences construction of new gas pipeline

The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has commencedconstruction of its Karanpur Moradabad Kashipur

Rudrapur Pipeline at Kashipur in India. The new pipeline will

extend 182 km from a point at Karanpur on GAILs 24 inch

diameter Auraiya Sahajahanpur Babrala Dadri Pipeline

to Rudrapur. With a planned capacity of 2.5 MMcm/d of gas, the

pipeline will supply gas to a planned power plant in Kashipur,

Uttarakhand and to industrial customers in Moradabad,

Kashipur and Rudrapur.

Agreements signed for TAPI PipelineRepresentatives of the four countries involved in the Turkmenistan

Afghanistan Pakistan India (TAPI) gas pipeline project have

signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA) for a Gas Sales Purchase

Agreement. The four countries have also signed a Gas Pipeline

Framework Agreement, following a Steering Committee Meeting,

which was held in Turkmenistan. Valued at more than $US3 billion,

the 1,680 km TAPI gas pipeline will have a total transmission

capacity of 90 MMcm/d of gas.

Willbros to build export pipelinesCB&I has awarded Willbros Group an engineering,

procurement and construction contract for

72 km of export pipelines associated with a new

gas processing plant to be built in California, USA.

The new gas plant, to be owned and operated by

Occidental of Elk Hills Inc., will be constructed by

CB&I. The project is scheduled for completion in

the rst half of 2012.

Leighton Offshore wins pipeline contractLeighton Oshore has signed an engineering

procurement and construction contract with

Iraqs South Oil Company for the installation

and commissioning of two 48 inch diameter

parallel pipelines, with 10 km onshore and 40 km

oshore in the Persian Gulf, oshore Iraq. In

addition, Leighton will install and commission

approximately 20 km of ineld pipelines and the

shore crossing for a third pipeline to be installed

during future expansions.

Arad Szeged gas pipeline inauguratedHungarian company FGSZ and Romanias Transgaz

have inaugurated the 109 km Arad Szeged Pipeline,

which connects the gas transmission systems of the two

neighbouring European countries. The pipeline received

17 million from the European Union as part of the European

Energy Economic Recovery Programme budget.

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Project briefs

Four Bears Pipeline

PROMOTER: Bridger Pipeli ne, PO Drawer 2360, Casper, Wyoming 82602, USA. Tel: +1 307 237 9301.

PROJECTSCOPE: The 124 km, 1 2 inch diameter Four Bears oil pipeline will originate approximately 25 km west of the

Four Bears Bridge on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and connect with another line approximately 30 km northwest

of Dickinson, North Dakota.

PROJECTUPDATE : North Dakotas Public Service Commission has approved the 124 km pipeline, which will transport

oil through North Dakota to regional markets.

PIPELINELENGTH: 124 km

PIPELINECAPACITY:Initial capacity of 60,000 bbl/d of oil, with the possibility of expanding capacity to 110,000 bbl/d.

EXPECTEDCOMPLETIONDATE:Mid-2011

Nord Stream Pipeline

PROMOTER : Nord Stream AG, Znamenka, 7, Building 3, 119019,

Moscow, Russia. Tel: + 7 495 229 65 85.

PROJECTSCOPE: The 48 inch diameter twin-line Nord Stream

Gas Pipeline system will transport 55 Bcm/a of gas from Russia

to Germany, where it will enter the European energy grid.

PROJECTUPDATE : The Castoro Dieci, a pipelay vessel

designed to lay pipes in shallow waters, has laid 27 km of the

Nord Stream Pipeline in the Bay of Greifswald. A second vessel,

the Castoro Sei, has reached German waters o the island of

Rgen to continue laying the pipeline towards Bornholm,

Denmark.

Meanwhile, two of the worlds heaviest ball valves have

arrived in Greifswald. The 102 t through-conduit valves were

engineered and manufactured in Italy for the Nord Stream

consortium by Petrolvalves Srl. The valves will be installed in

Germany and Russia at either end of the pipeline.

PIPELINELENGTH: 1,224 km

PIPELINECAPACITY: 55 Bcm/a of gas

EXPECTEDCOMPLETIONDATE: The rst pipeline is

scheduled to be operational in 2011, the second one in

2012.

Dabhol Bangalore Natural Gas Pipeline

PROMOTER:Gas Authority India Limited (GAIL), 16 Bhikaiji Cama Place, R.K. Puram, New Delhi 110066, India.

PROJECTSCOPE: This 1,400 km long pipeline will run from Dabhol through Kinjalkarvadi, Kasari, Kharaklat, Tappalkatti

Harva, Gadag, Gannaikanahalli, Gullur, Sarajapur, Palmaner, Chittoor, Kattivakkam to Chennai. All works associated with

construction of the pipeline from Dabhol to Bangalore have been divided into ten spreads. Included in these are two spur

lines, which will extend from Gokak in Belgaum District, Karnataka to Goa and from Sulivara in the South Bangalore District,

Karnataka to Bangalore.

PROJECTUPDATE : GAIL has awarded pipeline construction contracts for the natural gas pipeline. Punj Lloyd has been

awarded the construction contracts for seven of the ten spreads, comprising 820 km of the pipeline. Two spreads have been

awarded to KSS-KSSIIPL Consortium and the remaining spread has been awarded to Advance Stimul Consortium.

PIPELINELENGTH: 1,400 km

PIPELINECAPACITY: 16 MMcm/d of gas

EXPECTEDCOMPLETIONDATE: March 2012

Project briefs

Gazelle Pipeline

PROMOTER:NET4GAS, s.r.o, Na Hrebenech II 1718/8,

140 21 Prague 4 Nusle, Czech Republic. Tel: +420 220 221

111.

PROJECTSCOPE: The Gazelle Pipeline will bring Russian

gas to the Czech Republic via interconnections with the

OPAL and Nord Stream pipelines. The pipeline, which is

currently under construction, will extend 169 km from

Brandov to the border transfer station Rozvadov/Waidhaus.

Designed to follow a route along existing gas pipelines, the

Gazelle Pipeline will be connected to the Czech Republics

gas system via interconnections at Brandov, Jirkov,

Svinomazy and Primda.

PROJECTUPDATE : NET4GAS has begun construction on a

new border transfer station in Brandov, Czech Republic, for

the Gazelle gas pipeline.

PIPELINELENGTH: 169 km

PIPELINECAPACITY: 3033 Bcm/a of gas

EXPECTEDCOMPLETIONDATE: Late 2012

Call +1 713 521 5929 or visit www.clarion.org

CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS

B.J. Lowe,

Clarion Technical Conferences

John Tiratsoo,

Tiratsoo Technical

This two-day forum will address capabilities and guidance concerning

tools for corrosion and mechanical damage inspection of unpiggable

oil, gas and hazardous liquids pipelines.

The focus will be on existing, n ew, and developing in-line tools as well as

those in research and development.

Advances and best practices in guided-wave technologies will also

comprise a significant part of the program. Live-line access techniques,

combined with low-flow restriction robotic and wire-line-powered

internal inspection tools, will also be a special focus, especially for

pipeline segments that cannot be taken out of service when these tools

suggest a need for further integrity inspections.

Contact us today for information on registration or about sponsorship

& exhibiting options.

PROGRAM CHAIRMAN

Dr. Keith Leewis, P-PIC

PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mark Andraka, PECO Energy

Drew Hevle, El Paso Corp.

Richard Kania, TransCanada Pipelines

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Albert Van Roodselaar, Chevron Energy Technology

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Europe currently imports 54 per cent of its energy needs each year, a figure set to rise as its indigenouspetroleum resources decline. While a number of pipeline projects have been proposed to bring oil andgas from energy-rich neighbour Russia, ensuring a diverse source of petroleum imports has been a keytheme in the European Unions energy security strategy. Pipelines International provides a review of themajor pipeline projects currently proposed or under construction in the region.

Europe is the second smallest of the

seven continents by surface area,

extending west from the Dardanelles,

Black Sea, and Ural Mountains to the

Atlantic Ocean.

The European Commission, responsible

for proposing legislation for the benet of the

European Union (EU), stated in its 2010 report

entitled On the implementation of the trans-

European energy networks in the period

200709Europes future economic growth

and stability depend on timely and adequate

investments in energy infrastructure.

In March 2010, the European Commission

announced 1,390 million in grants to over

30 gas projects throughout Europe, including

pipelines, to ensure that the projects are

developed without delay.

The Commission said that the selected

projects reect the need to better interconnect

all EU member states and reduce the isolation

of the more remote nations such as the three

Baltic states, Ireland and Malta and that

the funding programme also responds to the

need for greater security of gas supplies by

supporting projects for reverse ow in nine

member states as well as the pipeline projects

aimed at diversifying gas imports, such as the

Nabucco and Galsi pipelines.

Bringing gas from RussiaIn the introduction to a collection of

essays published by the Centre for European

Reform titledPipelines Politics and Power,

the Centres Deputy Director Katinka

Barysch noted Russia is the worlds

largest gas producer. The EU is the worlds

biggest gas market. The two are neighbours.

Logically, the EU and Russia should have a

well-developed energy relationship.

Currently there are a number of pipeline

projects proposed or under construction

to increase delivery of Russian gas to

European markets.

Construction is underway on the

1,224 km NordStreamPipeline , which

involves the construction of two oshore

parallel 48 inch pipelines, each with a

capacity of 27.5 Bcm/a.

The pipeline will establish a direct link

between Russias vast gas reserves, via

Portovaya Bay in Russia, and the European

gas transportation systems, and will deliver

gas to Belgium, the United Kingdom,

Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands,

France, and the Czech Republic.

Enbridges Stephen J.J. Letwin toretireSTEPHENJ.J.LETwIN has retired from

his positions with Enbridge and its aliate

companies. Mr Letwin currently serves as

Enbridge Gas Transportation & International

Executive Vice President and holds Managing

Director roles at Enbridge Energy Company

and Enbridge Energy Management.

Steve Letwin has been a signicant

contributor over his 11 years as a member of

Enbridges leadership team, said Enbridge

President and Chief Executive Ocer Patrick

D. Daniel.

Mr Letwin joined Enbridge as President

and Chief Operating Ocer of Energy Services

in 1999. He was responsible for leading the

relatively new retail energy services business

unit to protability.

John M. Katok named WillbrosUpstream International OperationsSenior Vice PresidentJOHNM.KATOKhas been named Willbros

Upstream International Operations Senior

Vice President. In this role, Mr Katok will

be responsible for the companys upstream

international business development and

operations outside the United States and

Canada.

Mr Katok joins Willbros after two years

with Global Industries where he served as

Worldwide Business Development Senior Vice

President and earlier as Middle East Business

Unit Vice President. Mr Katok also held the

position of Technip US Commercial Operations

Vice President for ve years and spent 25 years

with Kellogg, Brown & Root and its predecessor

companies in a variety of roles.

Changes in senior management atCNOOCTHEOARDOdirectors of CNOOC Limited

has advised that Fu Chengyu has resigned

from his role as Chief Executive Ocer of the

company, but has continued in his position

as Chairman of the Board.

Yang Hua has been appointed as the

companys new Chief Executive Ocer and

new Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr Hua

resigned from his current role as President

and Chief Financial Ocer, while Li Fanrong

was appointed as new company President.

Mr Hua said that he has been honoured

to have worked under the leadership of Mr

Fu. It is a privilege as well as responsibility

for me to carry on the success of CNOOC, and

deliver long-term return to shareholders. Ill

do my best, said Mr Hua.

TDW joins forces with OffshoreIndependents BV

TDwOSHORE

SERvICES(TDW) has

joined forces with

Oshore Independents

BV to oer integrated

solutions for companies

interested in securing

a full range of pipeline

services and emergency

pipeline repair systems

from a single source.

The two companies

have agreed that there is a gap in the market

for an organisation that oers pipeline

recertication and project management

services, in addition to core inspection, repair

and maintenance services.

Together we oer a truly comprehensive

range of special services to the worlds

pipeline industry, said Oshore

Independents Commercial Director Dirk

Rook.

New Sales Manager at PLMGORDIETIEERGHASassumed the position

of PipeLine Machinery International (PLM)

Sales Manager in North America. He joins

the management team at PLM and will hold

responsibility for the sales team and machine

business in the United States and Canada.

Mr Tieberg has been working

closely with PLM as the Cat Financial

International Account Manager in charge

of pipeline business globally since PLM

was established in 2005. He has more than

30 years of equipment sales and nancing

experience. For the past 16 years he has

been co-ordinating international business

at Caterpillar oces in Chile, Peru, France,

Germany, Austria, and various US and

Canadian locations.

Cat Financial Territory Manager Anthony

Zaccari will be taking over the pipeline

nancing business eective 1 November 2010.

Want to advertise your vacantpositions?PiPelines internationalHAScreated

an online jobs portal:

www.pipelinesinternational.com/jobs

Pipelines International encourages

pipeline industry companies to advertise

jobs through the website as it is a

targeted, cost-eective way to highlight

your available positions to the rest of the

industry.

The newPipelines International jobs

website allows for job-seekers in the

pipeline industry to search for and apply

for jobs via region, and peruse specic,

pipeline-related jobs.

ThePipelines International jobs portal

is the latest addition to the suite of pipeline

industry resources that make up PipelinesInternational online.

As the place to begin for magazine

issues, the latest news, the directory,

technical information and more, the

Pipelines International website is a high-

trac, content-rich information portal for

the pipeline industry. The website has over

25,000 page impressions each month.

For information about job advertisement

rates, contact Tim Thompson via email:

[email protected] or call

+61 3 9248 5100.

PiPes anD PeoPle

Gordie Tieberg.

Dirk Rook.

Yang Hua.

Pipes & people

LET US KNOW YOUR [email protected]

region review

Energy security and pipelinepolitics in Europe

Works underway on the Medgaz Pipeline.

The route of the Interconnection Turkey Greece Italy Pipeline.

CONND ON PA 20

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Governments position, The Bulgarian

Government hasnt made a nal decision

regarding the construction of the Burgos

Alexandroupolis Oil Pipeline. Bulgaria

is going to wait for the completion of the

environmental assessment of the oil pipeline,

and only then will it make a nal decision.

A spokesperson for Greeces Deputy

Minister of Environment, Energy and ClimateChange said that the nal investment

decision is expected to be taken during the

second half of 2011 after the approval of the

environmental studies. Depending on the

timely approval of the environmental studies

by the governments of Greece and Bulgaria,

construction on the pipeline is scheduled

to commence by November 2013 with a

scheduled commissioning date of the second

quarter of 2016.

Increasing energy supplies fromAlgeria

The proposed GalsiPipeline project

aims at connecting Algerian gas resources to

the Italian and European markets through

a new route via Sardinia and the Italian

mainland.

The overall length of the system is

851 km, which includes a 285 km Algeria

Sardinia section, a 272 km onshore Sardinia

section and a 280 km section from Sardinia

Tuscany. The pipeline is planned to have a

total capacity of 8 Bcm/a.

Construction on the Galsi Pipeline is

scheduled to begin in 2011, and will seepipeline constructed at depths of 2,824 m.

Operation is planned for 201213.

Commissioning is underway on the

210 km MedgazPipeline. The pipeline

is designed to transport up to 8 Bcm/a of

gas from Beni Saf on the Algerian coast to

Almera, Spain.

Construction of the oshore pipeline

was completed on schedule by Saipem. The

CastoroSei pipelay vessel laid the oshore

section corresponding to the shallow areas

up to a depth of 550 m, while the Saipem

7000 laid the portion of the pipe in the

deepwater section down to 2,160 m.

The Medgaz Pipeline is a strategic project

for Algeria, Spain, and the rest of Europe,

supplying natural gas directly from Algeria,

without requiring transit through third

countries.

Connecting to the petroleumresources of the Caspian

The nal investment decision for the

NabuccoPipeline has been delayed until

2011 because a formal agreement has not

been completed to secure gas supply from

Azerbaijan.

Head of International Pipeline Projects at

Nabucco shareholder company OMV Michael

Ulbrich said Talks with the main supplier

country, Azerbaijan, are slow and that

conclusion will be postponed to 2011.

In August, the consortium announcedthe feeder line concept for the project in

which two pipelines will be constructed

to the Turkish Georgian border and the

Turkish Iraqi border respectively, to supply

gas into the proposed pipeline.

Construction of the 56 inch diameter

Nabucco Pipeline is scheduled to begin

by the end of 2011, with rst gas expected

to ow by the end of 2014. It will operate

at a pressure of 10,000 kPa, and it is

estimated that 11 compressor stations will be

constructed along the pipeline.

The pipeline will run from Turkey to

Austria, crossing Romania, Bulgaria and

Hungary, and is expected to have a capacity

of 31 Bcm/a.

The respective engineering works

have been ordered for the two feeder lines.

Depending on the exact routes of the

proposed feeder lines, the total length of the

pipeline project is estimated to increase to

approximately 4,000 km.

The pipeline promoters are understood

to have decided against constructing a feeder

line to the Turkish Iranian border, citing

the current political situation in Iran.

Project shareholders include OMV

Gas&Power, MOL, Transgaz, Bulgarian

Energy Holding, BOTAS and RWE.

The nal investment decision for the

800 kmInterconnectorGreeceItaly(IGI)

is expected to be made in December 2010.

All environmental authorisations are

in place for the project, which will consist

of a new 210 km oshore pipeline thatwill connect the Greek and Italian natural

gas transportation systems and a 590 km

pipeline to be constructed onshore in Greece.

The oshore section of the IGI, known

as the Poseidon project, will complete the

natural gas corridor through Turkey, Greece

and Italy following the inauguration of the

296 km TurkeyGreecePipeline in 2007.

The InterconnectionTurkeyGreeceItaly

(ITGI) will allow Italy and the rest of Europe

to import natural gas from the Caspian Sea

and the Middle East.

The onshore section of the Turkey

Greece Italy pipeline that remains to be

implemented in Greece will be constructed

by Greeces public gas corporation DEPAs

subsidiary The Hellenic Gas Transmission

System Operator (DESFA) and will run

approximately 590 km from Komotini to the

IGI Poseidon metering station in Thesprotia.

The 42 inch diameter pipeline will have a

capacity of 15 Bcm/a of gas and will includes

the construction of two compressor stations,

one at Komotini and one at Nea Mesimbria,

Thessaloniki.

DEPA and Edison have entereddiscussions with natural gas suppliers in the

Caspian area, specically Azerbaijan, for the

supply that will be transmitted through the

pipeline system.

Front-end engineering and design work

commenced in April 2010 and the service

control verication and implementation

study commenced in July 2010. The tender

for pipe supply is progressing after

completion of the pre-qualication stage,

while the detailed marine survey tender is

being nalised.

Construction is scheduled to begin in

2012 and it is anticipated that the pipeline

will be brought online in mid-2015.

At the landfalls at Portovaya Bay, Vyborg,

and at the German Landfall at Lubmin, near

Greifswald in Germany, both strings of the

pipeline have also already been constructed

and pulled ashore.

The Castoro Sei pipelay vessel has

commenced pipelaying activities in Danish

waters after picking up the pipeline in German

waters where the at-bottomed Castoro Dieci

pipelay vessel had completed the dicult

shallow-water section at and near the German

landfall ahead of schedule.

At the other end of the pipeline, the

worlds largest pipelay vessel, Allseas

Solitaire, has reached the Finnish Exclusive

Economic Zone after completing a key section

of the pipeline in Russian waters.

The pipeline is on schedule to start

transporting gas from Russia to customers in

the EU in late 2011.

Construction works are on schedule for

the 470 km OstseePipelineAnbindungs-

Leitung(OPAL) in Germany.

The pipeline will run from the German

Baltic Sea coast through Mecklenburg-West

Pomerania, Brandenburg and Saxony to the

Czech Republic, and is one of two pipeline

projects proposed to connect the Nord Stream

Pipeline to the existing pipeline grid in middle

and Western Europe, the other one being

the NorddeutscheErdgasLeitung(NEL)

Pipeline.The OPAL Pipeline is being built by

Wingas on behalf of OPAL NEL Transport and

E.ON Ruhrgas AG and is scheduled to come on

stream in October 2011.

The NEL Pipeline is a planned 440 km

natural gas pipeline in Germany, which will

run from Greifswald to Rehden. It will connect

the Nord Stream Pipeline with the existing

Rehden Hamburg and MIDAL gas pipelines.

Together with MIDAL, the NEL Pipeline will

create a GreifswaldBunde connection.

The majority of pipeline works are

scheduled to be completed during

201112 and the pipeline is expected to come

online in 2012. The invitations of tender for

the construction work of the NEL Pipeline are

currently underway.

Serbia has commenced construction on

a 120 km pipeline, which will transport gas

from Nis to Leskovac and then on to Vranje.

It is anticipated to connect with the proposed

SouthStreamPipeline .

Gazproms proposed South Stream

Pipeline will include a 900 km oshore

section traversing the Black Sea from the

Beregovaya compressor station on Russias

southwest coast to the Bulgarian coast. From

Bulgaria the pipeline will transport up to

63 Bcm/a of natural gas to south and

central Europe.

Two possible routes are under review

for South Streams onshore section from

Bulgaria one heading northwest and the

other heading southwest. A feasibility study is

scheduled to be completed in early 2011, and

construction is expected to start in 2013, with a

commissioning date anticipated for late 2015.Intergovernmental agreements have

been signed with Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary,

Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and Austria in order

to implement the projects onshore section

beyond Russia.

Importing Russian oilRussian rm Transneft is continuing

construction of the 1,170 km Secondaltic

PipelineSystem(PS-2), after it reached the

960 km point in September.

The BPS-2 will extend from the Unecha

junction of the Druzhba Pipeline, near the

RussiaBelarus border, to the UstLuga

terminal on the Gulf of Finland.

Construction of the project commenced in

June 2009 and is expected to be completed in

early 2012.

The preliminary environmental impact

statement for the Greek section of the urgos

AlexandroupolisPipeline also known as

the Trans-Balkan Pipeline was approved in

August 2010.

The oil pipeline project involves the

transportation of Russian and Caspian oil

from the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Burgos

to the Greek Aegean port of Alexandroupoli. It

would be an alternative route for Russian oil

bypassing the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.

However, Bulgarias Prime Minister

Boyko Borisov has created uncertainty over

Bulgarias commitment to the pipeline after

he announced in June 2010 that Bulgaria

would not take part in the pipeline. Despite

this, Bulgarias Council of Ministers released

a statement immediately following the

Prime Ministers statement to clarify the

region reviewregion review

Construction is underway on the OPAL Pipeline in Germany.

A map of the Burgos Alexandroupolis PipelineProject.

The Gja platform, located in the Norwegian North Sea.The Gja Pipeline is nearing completion to enable gasexport from this platform. Image courtesy of Statoil.

Lowering-inactivities underwayon theOPALPipeline.

CONND FROM PA 19 azproms proposed

South Stream Pipeline will

include a 900 km offshore

section traversing the Black

Sea from the Beregovayacompressor station on

Russias southwest coast to

the Bulgarian coast.

CONND ON PA 22

Possible Nabucco IGI link

German utility and Nabucco Pipeline stakeholder RWE has proposed to link theNabucco Pipeline to the proposed Interconnector Greece Italy (IGI).RWE said that it would be possible to connect IGI to Nabucco at two points; eitherin Turkey via a short interconnector or in Bulgaria through the Bulgaria-GreeceInterconnector.

According to RWE the connection of the two pipelines would open Greece and Italy tothe secure and stable transportation route of Nabucco.

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PiPelines international | December 2010 2322 PiPelines international | Dec ember 2010

The pipeline would transport

approximately 1.2 MMbbl/d of oil to supply

Italy and central Europe, with around nine

per cent of the oil to be supplied to Serbia and

Croatia. The feasibility study for the project

had originally estimated that the pipeline

would commence operations in 2011, however

no tender for construction works has been

announced.

The three European gas exportersOther than Russia, Denmark, the

Netherlands, and Norway are the only

European countries which are net exporters

of natural gas their annual export volumes

being 5.3 Bcm, 50.1 Bcm, and 86.1 Bcm

respectively in 2007.

The Netherlands state-owned

infrastructure company N.V. NederlandseGasunie is currently working on the Dutch

Governments gas roundabout concept,

which will see the Netherlands becoming the

heart of a major gas hub for northwestern

Europe.

Involved is a network of 15,000 km high-

pressure gas pipelines, many up to

48 inches in diameter, in both the

Netherlands and Germany. The idea is to

combine gas from Dutch and German elds

within the Gasunie pipeline network with gas

from other international sources including

Russia, Norway, the Middle East, Asia, and

Africa and to transport it onward to the

United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium,

and consumers in other European countries.

As part of the gas roundabout project,

a new pipeline being constructed is the

485 km, 48 inch diameter, NorthSouth

Pipeline, which is in two sections. The

longer one is in the east of the country and

runs from Rysum in northern Germany

and Oude Statenzijl in the north of the

Netherlands, to Schinnen in the south. The

shorter section runs from a new compressor

station at Wijngaarden in the centre of the

country to an export station at Zelzate in the

southwest, on the Belgian border.

Meanwhile, the alticGas

Interconnectorproposed to connect the

gas networks of southern Sweden, northern

Germany and eastern Denmark is currently

under review.

Despite receiving authorisation for

each of the three countries involved in theproject, the possibility of the Nord Stream

Pipeline being extended to the Swedish gas

pipeline network combined with a change

in Swedens energy priorities to promote

renewable energy options, has led to a delay

in the project, originally anticipated to enter

into operation in 2010.

The alticPipe aimed at connecting

the Danish and Polish gas systems to

Norwegian gas resources has been delayed

after the Skanled Pipeline project was

suspended.

The gas pipeline would be oshore with

an approximate length of 3845 km, and

would have an estimated capacity of 2.5

Bcm/a of gas.

The SkanledPipelineaims at

connecting the Danish and Swedish gas

systems to Norwegian gas resources. The

planned pipeline will go from Karsto, on the

Norwegian West Coast, to the Norwegian East

Coast, and on to Sweden and Denmark.

The pipeline is expected to have a

capacity of 8.3 Bcm/a and a total length

of 1,130 km, including an 860 km oshore

section, a 250 km Danish onshore section and

a 16 km Swedish onshore section.

Though feasibility studies have been

performed, the project was suspended in

April 2009 due to increased commercial

risk combined with the global economic

developments that have given an uncertain

view on future gas demand. The project may

be re-launched if commercial conditions

become more favourable in the future.

Exploring the North SeaFirst gas has begun to ow through the

GjaGasPipeline, located in the Norwegian

North Sea, to Great Britains Far North Liquids

and Associated Gas System (FLAGS).The 28 inch pipeline runs 130 km from the

Gja/Vega elds to the tie-in point with the

Shell-operated FLAGS Pipeline, which will

carry rich gas to the receiving terminal at St

Fergus in Scotland.

The Gja Gas Pipeline will initially be

used to import gas from FLAGS to enable

the completion of the Gja platform. Once

production commences at the Gja platform

the pipeline will be used to export the gas.

Overall gas production capacity for Gja,

which lies about 40 km north of the Fram

eld, will be 17 MMcm/d.

Oil from the elds is due to be exported to

the Mongstad terminal near Bergen via a new

50 km pipeline tied into Troll Oil Pipeline II.

Romania, Azerbaijan and Georgia have

signed a Memorandum of Understanding

for the AzerbaijanGeorgiaRomania

Interconnection(AGRI)LNGProject , which

would include the construction of a pipeline

to transport gas from Azerbaijan to Georgias

Black Sea coast. From here the gas would

be liqueed and shipped to Romanias coast

where it would be re-gasied and delivered

into Romanias pipeline system and shipped to

European markets.

Proponents from both the AGRI LNG

project and the Nabucco Pipeline will be

seeking commitments from Azerbaijan to

secure access to the countrys nite gas

resources.

Albanian Ministers and government

ocials have endorsed the revised route of

theTransAdriaticPipeline(TAP) through

Albania.

Traversing a total distance of 520 km,

the pipeline will originate near Thessaloniki,

Greece, and cross Albania and the Adriatic

Sea, before terminating near Brindisi, Italy.

The pipeline will have an initial capacity of

10 Bcm/a of natural gas.

TAPs construction schedule aligns

with the development of the Shah Deniz gas

eld in Azerbaijan. The project is currently

at the front-end engineering design stage,

with preparations underway for the nal

investment decision and construction. TAP

will transport gas from the Caspian Sea and

Middle East regions to Italy, through Turkey,

Greece and Albania. The pipeline will have a

capacity of 10 Bcm/a.

The proposed whiteStreamGas

Pipeline will provide a link between the

South Caucasus Gas Pipeline in Georgia

and Romania. The length of the pipeline is

estimated to be 1,100 km, which includes a

700 km oshore section to be constructed

across the Black Sea in water depths in excessof 2,000 m connecting Georgia to Crimea in

the Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the consortium

said that the feasibility studies carried out

have proven the technical, economic and

legal feasibility of the project. Detailed

routing studies are now moving forward,

particularly for the Black Sea crossing,

including a reconnaissance marine survey and

environmental impact studies.

The project is currently on schedule for a

nal investment decision towards the end of

2013 with construction starting in 2015 and the

rst pipeline with 8 Bcm/a capacity becoming

operational in 201718, shortly after the

start-up of the Nabucco Pipeline.

After the initial pipeline is bought online,

construction on a further three pipelines

of similar capacity will commence to meet

expected export demand of both Azerbaijan

and Turkmenistan.

Transnafta has proposed a 1,320 km

pipeline to transport crude oil from theCaspian and Black Sea region to the Pan-

EuropeanOilPipeline(PEOP) .

PEOP is a newer manifestation of a

project formerly known as the Constanta

PanceoOmisaljTriestePipeline , and is

designed to take Caspian and Russian oil from

the Black Sea port of Constanta in Romania,

through Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, to

Trieste in Italy. From there it would join with

the existing Trans-Alpine Pipeline and the

Italian pipeline network, with any excess oil

to be shipped from Genoa in Italy.

region review region review

North Sea fast facts

21 new petroleum elds werediscovered in the North Sea in2009 alone

Approximately 155 MMcm of oilequivalent was produced in NorthSea elds last year

Norwegian gas is exported tomarkets through a network of

pipelines approximately7,800 km long

The second pipeline string is pulled ashore at the German Landfall for the Nord Stream Pipeline project.

The South Stream Pipeline route.

Pipe stringing along the OPAL Pipeline route.

AmapoftheWhi

teStreamandNab

uccopipeline

routes.

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Getting (inter)connected

Some of the pipeline projects proposed or underway to connect Europes gastransmission system: FGSZ declared the results of binding Open Season for theSlovakia Hungary

Interconnectoras unsuccessful for the Hungarian part of the plannedinterconnection. Despite the result the company will analyse further alternativesto have the Slovakia Hungary Interconnector project potentially nanced andconstructed in another way.

The proposed Poland Lithuania gas pipeline would link the Baltic states ofEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Polish gas supply and transmission system.Polands gas transmission operator Gaz-System and Lithuanias Lietuvos Dujoswill conduct a feasibility study to determine the possibility of constructing a gaspipeline between the two countries.

Bulgarian Energy Holding, Greeces DEPA and Italys Edison International Holdinghave reached a development agreement regarding the construction of theInterconnection Pipeline Greece Bulgaria(IGB).The 160 km IGB, proposed to transport gas from Komotini, Greece, to Stara

Zagora, Bulgaria will have a capacity to transport between 3 and 5 Bcm/a and isdue to come into operation in 2013.

Bulgarias Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov, andSerbias Minister for Mining and Energy Petar Skundric have signed a jointstatement paving the way for the proposed 180 km Bulgaria Serbia GasPipeline.The pipeline would have a capacity of 2 Bcm/a starting in Nis, Serbia and crossthe border near Dimitrovgrad in Bulgaria and would be the rst interconnectorbetween the transmission systems of Bulgaria and Serbia.

In Spain several gas interconnections are currently under construction: Tivissa Paterna Pipeline, Tivissa Castelnou Pipeline, Zarza Tajo Yela Pipeline, and

Yela Villar Arnedo Pipeline.These four interconnections have a total length of 681 km and a capacity of 3.14 Bcm/aand are scheduled to enter into operation by the end of 2012.

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PiPeline equiPment

Pipelayers and sidebooms are integral to pipeline construction and often have to work in extremeor hazardous conditions. PipeLine Machinery International Vice President Product Support LindleyImeson describes some of the features required for working in Arctic and mountainous conditions,explaining how efficient pipelaying can still be achieved with the right equipment and know-how.

Pipelines are often constructed in

hazardous conditions, including

extreme hot and cold temperatures,

through mountainous and rocky terrain, and

in wet areas. As such, pipelayer machinery

needs to be engineered for a long life in

extreme conditions.PipeLine Machinery International (PLM)

distributes Caterpillar pipelayers such as

the large 587T and 583T models, which

mirror the Caterpillar D8 tractor body with a

heavy, strong and durable mainframe. Full

box sections, steel castings and continuous

rolled rails provide durable support to the

undercarriage, elevated nal drives and other

integral frame components. The elevated

sprocket undercarriage eectively isolates the

drive train components from ground-induced

impacts. The undercarriage is designed for

optimised machine balance, performance and

component life. The ACERT engine technology

used in all new Caterpillar purpose-built

pipelayer models ensures optimum engine

performance and fuel-eciency while

meeting EPA Tier 3 and EU Stage IIIA engine

exhaust emission regulations.

Working in extreme conditionsGearing up for extreme cold conditions

represents a number of challenges. Lessonslearned in the 1970s during the construction

of the Alyeska Pipeline have gone into the

engineered design of Arctic solutions for all

Caterpillar pipelayers.

All models can be equipped with Arctic

uids, engine oil, coolant, transmission,

nal drive, drawworks and undercarriage

components. Quick evac solutions are also

available on all Caterpillar pipelayers for

added environmental safety. Special Arctic

solution items include idlers, nal drives,

track roller cold weather seals and lubricants

along with heavy-duty cold weather batteries,

in addition to insulated cabs with thermo-

pane glass. Component heaters using fuel-

red coolant circulation and 110 volt/240 volt

electric water jacket heaters can be added for

longer component life and additional cab heat

for extreme cold conditions. The tractors are

also equipped with solid engine enclosures,

under hood air intake and reversible fans

for added heat retention. Enhanced lighting

solutions for operation in decreased daylightoperations are available for added safety.

The quality of steels used in the

mainframe, booms and counterweights helps

to avoid the common brittle steel problem

associated with working at temperatures

around -45 degree Celsius. The 583T, 587T

and PL61 are all available with enclosed

cabs. The cabs are designed for operator

comfort and productivity in any climate, and

are fully insulated with a heater (or can be

equipped with air conditioning). Caterpillar

cabs are designed with a maximum glass

area (the dual pane option is available

for cold weather) for excellent visibility.

A pipelayer for every season:choosing the right equipmentfor your next challenge

All Caterpillar pipelayers can be equipped with components suitable for Arctic conditions, including engine oil, coolant, transmission, nal drive, drawworks and undercarriage components.

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A skylight window is placed for viewing

the boom and upper block, and si de

windows are screened to allow for ground

communication and better ventilation.

Lifting capacityThe 587T has a lifting capacity of

91,625 kg and is powered by the Cat C15

ACERT engine performing at full-rated net

power of 366 horse power (hp) at 1,800 rpm.

The 583T has a lifting capacity of

63,504 kg and uses the same engine

performing at a full-rated net power of

310 hp at 1,850 rpm. The large displacement

and high-torque rise provides the 587T and

the 583T with the power needed for the safe

handling and consistent multi-functional

operation required for poor ground

conditions, while managing the less exible

characteristics of cold pipe.

As the pipe size and tractors required

PiPeline equiPment PiPeline equiPment

increases, the smooth operation of the

hydraulic drawworks allows for precise and

co-ordinated handling of 30 inch diameter

and above pipe in all wall thicknesses in

adverse conditions.

With a lifting capacity of 18,145 kg, the

PL61 is well-suited to lifting smaller size

pipe generally below 16 inch i n diameter.

This unit has been designed to be ideal for

gathering systems or for urban installations

where transportation to the site and onsite

clearances require a more compact machine.

With counterweight and boom removed, the

PL61 is a mere 2.9 m in width with a shipping

weight of 16,070 kg.

Mountainous conditionsStability during the lowering-in process

in sloping conditions is a challengerequiring strict attention to safety, machine

tolerances and operator capability.

Numerous factors impact lifting capacity on

slopes, including the length of the boom,

the load, the load overhang, the load swing,

ground conditions, operator experience

and track tension. The higher the load, the

less capability the machine has in sloping

conditions. In order to mitigate this, the

number of pipelayers used or the size of

pipelayers should be increased so that the

relative load per pipelayer is reduced.

The length of the sideboom used also

has an eect on pipeline installation in

mountainous terrain: the shorter the

sideboom, the better the slope performance

of the pipelayer. For example, a 7.3 m

sideboom will outperform an 8.5 m sideboom

by approximately 3 degrees, and a 6 m

boom will outperform an 8.5 m sideboom by

approximately 6 degrees. Increasing the load

overhang has a positive impact on fore-aft

slope capability. Keeping the boom further

extended on a 20 degree slope will result

in the load line location being closer to the

rear of the pipelayer. The key is to alwayscarry the load as far out as possible without

impacting the side tipping point.

Load monitoringExperienced pipelayer operators can

read a pipe load very eectively. However

a reliable and precise pipelayer system is

important when ground conditions change,

when less experienced operators are at

the controls or when tracks shift on loose

rock. Distributed exclusively by PLM, the

Pipelayer System by Cranesmart eliminates

guesswork, and is designed to provide

operators with the precise load-management

information required for a safe and ecient

job. All information regarding the load,

he higher the load, the less capability the machine

has in sloping conditions. n order to mitigate this, the

number of pipelayers used or the size of pipelayers

should be increased so that the relative load per

pipelayer is reduced.

slope, overhang, lift capacity and two-block

alarm are integrated through Cranesmarts

wireless technology into a large, easy-to-readoperator display panel. Operators have the

information required to help prevent tip-

overs, roll-overs and equipment damage due

to overloading and extreme slope operations.

Pipeline trainingPipeline projects are often located away

from large training facilities. The contractors

equipment eet is a diverse mix of types,

makes and models, making operator training

hit and miss. A construction contractors

safety programmes needs to be disseminated

to a large temporary workforce, often in

a multi-language format, and owning

companies and regulators have specic

requirements for training.

PLM has teamed with ek pass to

provide solutions to the training challenge.

The training company is PLMs exclusiveprovider of pipeline operator training and

related consulting services around the

globe. ek pass provides training services

on equipment from over one hundred

manufacturers. Training is focused on

improved operator and right-of-way safety,

productivity and reduced maintenance

costs. Operator training is usually provided

on a pipeline spread using the equipment

that the trainees will be operating, saving

time and increasing the relevancy of the

training. The professional consultants with

ek pass have been delivering award-winning,

customised instructor-led training on client

sites worldwide.

Caterpillar pipelayers are tted with ACERT engine technology and meet EPA Tier 3 and EU Stage IIIA engine exhaustemission regulations.

The PL61 pipelayer.

ThePipelayerSystemhelpseliminatetheguessworkinload-management.

A pipelayer at work in Alaska.

A Caterpillar pipelayer working in desert conditions.

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The companys machines are constantly

being upgraded. Machines can be tailored to

clients needs.

Safety featuresWorldWide Machinery recognises

the importance of safety on a pipeline

construction spread. The companys padding

machines were the rst padding machines to

be tted with roll-over protection structures.

Recently, the company has added cameras to

the back corners of each machine to reduce

blind spots. Combined with the wide front

screen, optimal vision is achieved.

The operator can control the machine

entirely from the cabin, which is tted with a

dust lter and air conditioning.

The SPD-450 also has two operator

platforms in the cabin so that the operator

can work on both sides of the machine. This

gives the operator a much better view of what

is going on in the ditch, says Mr Hafemann.

WorldWide ensures that operators

receive appropriate training before using

the companys machines. Technicians are

sent with delivery of the machine to helpwith assembly and train operators in proper

usage and maintenance. The training takes

approximately one week. The technicians

take the new operators for a dry test run,

then a test run together.

The hardest part is getting used to

driving with the machine on the backll,

and you stay on the backll side when

you have a big ditch. The backll pile can

be around 3 m high and the ditch can be

around 2 m deep, so you can get quite a

surprise if you look down at the ground,

says Mr Hafemann.

WorldWide Machinery also

manufactures pipelayers, bending

machines, earthmoving equipment, pipe

bevelling and cold cutting machines and

vacuum pipe lifting equipment.WorldWide Machinery recently sold

an SPD-450 padding machine to

Nacap Australia for work on the

South West Queensland Pipeline Expansion

project, which involves the construction of

940 km of 18 i nch diameter looping pipeline.

The padding machine has started

working on the pipeline spread and has been

backlling at rates up to 360 cubic metres

per hour using a 0.75 inch screen. WorldWideMachinerys Jurgen Hafemann said that the

longest run on the project so far has been

4.5 km.

The SPD-450 machine is also being used

on projects in Europe, such as the

56 inch diameter OPAL Pipeline. WorldWide

Machinery builds equipment including

padding machines, pipelayers, and

benders for projects from 660 inches.

The SPD-450 has a Caterpillar

C-13 ACERT Tier 4 Interim Stage III B engine

capable of 328 kW of power. The machine

uses Bosch Rexroth hydraulic systems,

gearbox and nal drives. The hydraulic and

shaker systems can be adjusted to suit any

terrain, such as soft or wet material.

Tailoring machinery toclient needs

All of WorldWides machinery is built

under CE approval, meaning that it meets

the European Unions safety, health, and

environmental requirements. The padders

are assembled in the companys factory

in Italy. The main components of the

machinery come from well-known, reputable

manufacturers such as Caterpillar and areavailable all over the world, enabling easy

replacement of parts.

For us it is very important to use

components that you can get from all over

the world. We want to build customer-

friendly machines, says Mr Hafemann.

Mr Hafemann says that the company

also makes a concerted eort to listen to its

customers because the company wants to

make their machines as easy-to-use and as

safe as possible.

Were very open to listening to our

customers. We want to make it easier

and safer, and more comfortable for the

operator.

inDustry news inDustry news

SPD-450 features

Engine model: Caterpillar C-13 ACERTTier 4 Interim Stage III B

Power: 328 kW

Main pumps: Bosch Rexroth

Transmission: hydrostatic

Motors: hydromatic

Gearbox and nal drives:Bosch Rexroth

Undercarriage: Berco

Screening area: 8.4 sq m

Fuel tank: 720 litres

Hydraulic system circuit: 800 litres

For more information visitwww.worldwidemachinery.com

With a screening area of 8.4 sq m and an operating weight of 53,864 kg, the SPD-450 padding machineis the biggest padding machine manufactured by Superior, a part of WorldWide Machinery. PipelinesInternational spoke to WorldWide Machinerys Vice President Pipeline Operations Jurgen Hafemannabout the SPD-450s features and capabilities.

Padding machines WorldWide


WorldWides padding machine at work for Nacap Australia.

Padding works are completed on a pipeline projectin the UK.

Padding machines can be built for pipeline projectsfrom 6 to 60 inches in diameter.

WorldWide padders are suited to all terrains.

Padding screens are available in many different sizes.

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pipeline. These reduced energy costs can

provide a nancial payback within three to

ve years of service. It may also be possible

to achieve further savings by reducing

the number of compressor stations, or

compressor size and c apacity.

The Zamoranos 2002 study concluded

that fuel gas costs for the compressor

stations situated along the 1,200 km length

of the Atacama Gas Pipeline, were 26.9 per

cent lower on the coated section of pipeline

than on the uncoated section.

External pipe coating protection:a history of success

The main methods of protecting

underground pipelines from corrosion are

external coatings and cathodic protection.J. Alan Kehr, a leading American expert

on pipeline coatings, states that external

pipe coatings are intended to form a

continuous lm of electrical insulating

material over the metallic surface to be

protected. The function of such a coating is

to isolate the metal from direct contact with

the electrolyte, interposing a high electrical

resistance so that electrochemical reactions

cannot occur.

Single-layer FBE has proven performance

in both onshore underground and oshore

subsea environments. The product is an

eective corrosion-resistant barrier for line

pipe, eld joints, ttings and bends. Since its

rst use in New Mexico in 1960, FBE coating

has remained the external pipe coating of

choice in North America.

Since their introduction in 1991, dual-

layer powder coatings have also gained

popularity for use with pipelines operating

at a high temperature. A

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