ECDA Implementation on Eden Yuturi 18” Gathering Pipelines

In the year 2010, mechanical integrity personnel assessed five 18” diameter gathering pipelines in the Eden Yuturi field (Ecuador’s Amazon basin, South America), as part of the Pipeline Integrity Management Plan. The assessment of what amount to 23.5 km of pipelines was carried using an External Corrosion Direct Assessment Methodology (ECDA) developed and implemented following NACE-SP0502-2008 standard. This document presents a summary of the results of the ECDA implementation in the Eden Yuturi Field.

During the pre-assessment stage, we found four preconditions that justified the development and implementation of the ECDA project: 

• Following the CFR Title 49, Part-195.6, the Eden Yuturi field is an Unusually Sensitive Area.
• More than 50% of the total production of the company is transported by the five gathering pipelines included in the study.
• The oldest pipeline was constructed in the year 2002 and the newest in the year 2008.
• On July of 2008 a leak was detected on one of these gathering pipelines.

With these antecedents, in 2008 CIS and DCVG indirect inspection were carried on the five gathering pipelines. We proceed with three dig inspections. After inspection, external pitting was discovered on one pipeline. The discovery of pitting, in addition to the previously found and corrected leakage, reinforced the need for developing a complete ECDA analysis.

 In 2010, we carried CIS and DCVG Indirect Inspection Techniques on the pipelines. With the framework of NACE Conference Papers 05184 and 08143, we defined eight dig sites. After digging, we found coating damage at all the dig sites.

 As part of post-assessment, we conclude that there is a need to develop separate ECDA projects for all the river crossings, as well as Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment (ICDA) for the Eden Yuturi Gathering pipelines.