DESIGN OF A NEW PIPELINE TO TRANSPORT HEAVY CRUDE OIL FROM HEGLIG TO FULA CENTRAL PROCESS FACILITY (AT BLOCK6)

Abstract

This thesis aims to assist evacuating Block 5A crude through designing of a new 185 km Pipeline from WHCC to Fula. The selected pipeline’s grade is API 5L X65 (with minimum specific yield strength (MSYS) of 65,000 psi (4,485 barg)) for ANSI class 600. The maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of 99.28 barg (1440 psi) is used in which shall be termed to be equivalent to the design pressure (DP) for all selected outside pipeline’s diameters which are ranged from 8 inches to 22 inches and later the range has been shorten to be from 10 inches to 16 inches due to flow velocities’ restrictions. The design is conducted into step by step approach, driven by process hydraulic study which is started by determination of pipe wall thickness based on the desired throughput and given maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) for the selected pipe’s grade and nominal outside pipe’s diameters range considering the corrosion allowance of 0.063 inches and then calculating of the inside pipe’s diameters which are led to determination of flow velocities and Reynolds numbers and then finding the friction factors. Furthermore the calculation of the total pressure required to transport liquid through a pipeline taking into account the elevation profile of the pipeline and required delivery pressure at the terminus. For a given pipeline system, the hydraulic horsepower, brake horsepower, and engine horsepower calculations were illustrated. For normal operation with 40 KBOPD maximum, the hydraulic test has dictated that the pumping stations are required in the initial and final points of the pipeline. There are no heaters or any other necessary chemical is envisaged to assist flow of the liquid.