Inspection Survey of Submarine Pipelines  A Case Study From Bombay High Oil Field, India

Inspection Survey of Submarine Pipelines  A Case Study From Bombay High Oil Field, India

Along with its satellite fields namely Bassein, Neelam, Heera & Ratna, the main Bombay High offshore field has been transected by networks of submarine pipelines of different types and sizes viz. production lines, water injection lines and trunk lines. Based on the design requirements these pipelines are either buried under seabed cover or laid on the seabed. In-field pipelines connecting well platforms to the process platform are of smaller lengths & of smaller diameter compared to the trunk pipelines connecting the shore based crude oil storage facilities to the process platforms. These involved survey of the trunk lines and in-field lines with a total coverage of about 10,341line km within a span of 14 weeks of field activities. To complete such larger extent of inspection surveys in a relatively shorter time schedule a remotely operated towed vehicle was selected and deployed first time in such a major scale for inspection and quick assessment of critical areas and to draw plans for detailed investigations of these critical areas and make recommendations for Cathodic Protection surveys. Based on the final results of detailed surveys and CP surveys of the critical areas suitable recommendation were made for required diver inspection/repairs etc. This faster pace of inspection survey was achieved due to the adopted integrated approach, digital recording of data and online processing & assessments onboard the Survey Ship.Prior to the seventies, India's domestic production of petroleum was mostly confined to the on land oil fields. With onset of 1976, the petroleum industry of India witnessed a major upheaval through the discovery of Bombay High oil field off Bombay (currently known as Mumbai). Since then along with its satellite fields, it has been the nerve center of India's domestic petroleum production.

2002-05-26

Rath, Ranjit

Babu, C.C.

Reddy, V.V.

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