Pipeline measurements for Malaysian deepwater project

12 January 2010

UK-based specialist measurement technology company Optical Metrology Services (OMS) has been awarded a contract to undertake dimensional measurement of pipes for the Gumusut-Kakap oil field installation, the first Shell deepwater project in Malaysia.

Pipeline measurements for Malaysian deepwater project

The project required OMS to carry out critical analysis and sampling of around 3,500 pipe ends and seven different sizes of pipe. The pipe ends will be used for both steel catenary risers (SCRs) and flow lines.

The Gumusut-Kakap field will be a semi-submersible Floating Production System (FPS) configured for the mild offshore environment North-West of Sabah, Malaysia, within the Indian Ocean. All wells are subsea, with oil and condensate exported via a pipeline to shore. In total, there will be 27 riser porches and 13 pull tubes on the Host FPS, of which 10 riser porches and five pull tubes have been allocated for the initial J and K field development.

OMS provided assistance in the planning and execution of the creation of the J-Lay double joints. This process will enable the most round pipes to be allocated to the more critical areas of the pipeline where they will be fitted together using a mixture of selection and rotation in order to provide the required fit up to less than 0.5mm that SCRs demand. Those pipes that are more difficult to fit together will be used in less critical areas.

OMS also advised Serimax on the most suitable dimensions of the J-lay collars for welding the pipe ends. This will ensure the easiest and best fit up of pipes offshore, where it is essential to minimise the time and costs of the pipe-laying vessel. The pipe laying installation contractor on the Gumusut-Kakap project is SapuraAcergy. OMS was awarded the contract from the welding contractor for the project, Serimax.

Richard Gooch, director of technology at OMS commented: "OMS is delighted to be involved in such a high profile deepwater project and we look forward to helping Serimax ensure that the pipe welding process runs as smooth as possible."