Pipeline Corrosion and Integrity Management - Experience from the Forties Field

In 2003, Apache became the operator of the Forties Field. The field has now been in operation for 33 years and has exceeded its original design life of 20-25 years. Apache intend to continue production in the Forties Field for, potentially, in excess of a further 20 years. Apache have identified a number of issues with respect to the corrosion and integrity management of the infield pipeline system that require resolution. In a previous publication the corrosion issues influencing the infield pipeline system have been examined, and the steps taken to ensure effective corrosion management have been discussed. This publication describes the overall integrity management strategy. It provides an overview of the dominant integrity issues, and examines how corrosion management forms an integral part of this strategy. It also examines issues such as documentation, modification of existing procedures, risk assessment, corrosion management, and the implementation of an intelligent pigging program. Finally, the document discusses the corrosion and integrity lessons learned from the Apache Forties Field infield pipelines, and suggests how these lessons can be used to support best practice in the area of pipeline corrosion and integrity management.