Line balance method helps protect offshore crude lines

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:7237726

Kunz, D C ^[1]

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1. Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX (United States)

Shell Pipe Line Corp. began a program in 1991 to install line integrity on pipelines it operates in the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Pipe Line studied a variety of means to do this, and selected the line-balance method to provide line integrity. The line-balance method sums all inputs and compares these to the outputs to determine the integrity of each pipeline segment. Shell developed and installed a system that uses recently introduced technology to implement this system in the offshore environment. The system has been in operation on many of the pipelines Shell operates in the Gulf of Mexico, and has proven to be a successful design. Shell will complete the installation of the line integrity system on all offshore pipelines within the next 2 years. Flow measurement accuracy influences the system's release sensitivity. The custody transfer meters at each platform used as the primary meters for each pipeline segment help keep the measurement as accurate as possible. Using these meters enabled Shell to obtain temperature-compensated barrels, which reduces volume variations due to temperature changes as the crude oil leaves the platform. The flow computer collected all measurement data as well as the status or control of pumps or valves from the platform.

• OSTI ID: 7237726
• Journal Information: Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 221:3; ISSN PLGJAT; ISSN 0032-0188
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
022000* -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
42 ENGINEERING
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
FLOWMETERS
GULF OF MEXICO
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAK TESTING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
PERFORMANCE
PIPELINES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TESTING