Applying offshore technology in construction of gas, crude-oil pipelines in the North Sea

Journal Article · Mon Sep 27 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6326887

Sparkes, H L

This article discusses the pipeline systems serving the Greater Ekofisk multiplatform complex in the North Sea. Phillips Petroleum Co. Norway is the operator. A multiplatform complex such as Ekofisk requires numerous pipelines of various sizes to deliver crude oil, natural gas, and two-phase streams from outlying fields to a central location for final processing and metering prior to shipment. The processed material from Ekofisk Center then enters the main transmission lines carrying crude oil to the U.K. and natural gas to the Continent. Construction problems encountered during the laying of these various pipelines have proven to be the principal difficulty with such a complex system. Operational problems are generally few, and an ongoing, comprehensive maintenance program is proving to be the key to continuous service and a valuable method to meet the environmental requirements of an offshore transportation system. Design premises previously used in less demanding environments throughout the world were the basis for initial calculations and installation. Actual local conditions and ecological concerns of the regulatory bodies had to be satisfied and required adjustments in concepts. The end result is proving to be a safe, trouble-free transportation system.

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co. Bartlesville, OK
• OSTI ID: 6326887
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 80:39; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
022000* -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
03 NATURAL GAS
032000 -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
FLUID FLOW
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MAINTENANCE
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH SEA
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PIPELINES
RESOURCES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSPORT
TWO-PHASE FLOW