DRYING AND NITROGEN PROCEDURE

CONTENT
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Purpose
3.0 Scope
4.0 Reference Documents
5.0 Abbreviations / Definitions
6.0 Organization / Responsibilities
7.0 Procedure
8.0 HSE Plan
9.0 Quality Plan

1.0 Introduction
In line with Standard Practices, drying and nitrogen purging activities shall be carried out
on the newly installed Gas plant pipelines after successful hydro-testing of each
completed pipeline section, in order to reduce the initial water content, preserve
the pipeline from possible natural gas air combustion or corrosion as a result of the
test water.
This is usually carried out parallel to dewatering with the aid of low density bare foam
pigs and bi-directional sealing pigs driven with compressed dry air and dry nitrogen in a
controlled process as to allow a continuous water and oxygen removal operation.
2.0 Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all drying and nitrogen inerting operation
for the gas plant Pipelines are carried out in accordance with the applicable
Specifications and COMPANYs requirements.
3.0 Scope
This document shall apply to all the pipeline drying and nitrogen activities that will be
carried out on the Soku New Sanbarthelomew manifold pipelines Project by
Contractor. Contractor shall adopt the drying and inerting method as specified in the
scope of work.
4.0 Reference Document

5.0

Specification for Pig Launcher and Pig Receiver EKS-NST-MP-7737-00003

Pre-Commissioning and Commissioning Manual and Procedure EKS-NST-BA6008-00001
Hydrostatic Pressure Testing Of New Pipeline DEP 31.40.40.38 Gen. Feb. 2011
Pipeline Engineering DEP 31.40.00.10 Gen. Feb. 2011
Pipeline pigging and cleaning procedure - EKS-NST-LA-8247-00001

Abbreviations / Definitions

HSE Health Safety Environment.

JHA Job Hazard Analysis
Pig launcher - A pig trap for launching pigs.
Pig receiver - A pig trap for receiving pigs.
Pig - A device which can be propelled through a pipeline by fluid flow and is normally
used f o r various internal activities s uc h as
separating fluids, cleaning
and inspecting the pipeline. (A sphere is a spherically shaped pig).

6.0 Organization / Responsibilities

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The organization that shall be responsible for the execution of this document shall
be as described below:
The Project Manager shall have overall responsibility for the successful and safe
execution of all activities in the NCTL Project.
The Construction Manager shall be responsible for the successful and safe
execution of this document. He shall delegate as may be necessary, all or part of
this function to the Field Project Engineer.
The HSE Manager shall be responsible for the monitoring of the HSE aspects
of this document and shall delegate all or part of this function to the Site HSE
Officer.

The Test Engineer shall in addition to undertaking as directed by the

Construction Manager, have direct Site Management responsibility for a safe and
successful execution of this document.

The HSE Officer shall undertake as directed by the HSE Manager and shall carry
out Site
HSE surveillance and ensure HSE compliance.
7.0 Procedure
7.1 General
Pipeline drying shall commence immediately after completion of the second
dewatering pig run. Dewatering runs shall be repeated if drying does not commence
within 48hr of the last dewatering pig run. Equipment sizing and calculations of the
time required for drying shall be base on a film thickness of the residual water of not
less than 0.1mm for the Gas Plant pipeline project. After drying the pipeline shall be
purged with the drying medium at a minimum velocity of 3m/s in the pipeline at the
discharge end. This shall continue until dew point at the discharge end remains
below the specified dew point whilst replacing twice the content of the pipeline at
purging pressure. Dry Nitrogen purging shall further be used to evacuate water
vapor and oxygen from the pipeline using high sealing foam pigs.
7.2 Drying and Nitrogen purging methodology
Different methods of determining the water vapor content of a gas are available.
Secondary characteristics such as dew point, relative humidity shall be measured.
For pre-commissioning operations, the Gas Plant AG pipelines shall be dried to a
specific dew-point of -20oC at atmospheric pressure using a desiccant type air dryer
with batches of absorbing foam pigs. All probe type dew point measuring devices
shall be accompanied by calibration curves produced under controlled conditions so
that true readings shall be ascertained. The dew point of air extracted from the
pipeline shall be continuously monitored. Air pressure shall be as low as possible to
absorb and therefore remove more moisture with the aid of the foam pigs. Once the
desired dew-point is indicated for a period of 12hours or more, the drying shall be
stopped. A check that the specified dryness limit has been met shall be effected by
performing a soak test at the lowest possible pressure for a period of 12h and then
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passing an air volume equivalent to that of the pipe through the pipeline at the
lowest possible pressure and monitoring the dew point of the air discharge. The out
flowing air shall be at a dew point level well above -20 oC to ensure that a
homogeneous -20oC dew point might be assured.
Upon completion of the soak test, Dry Nitrogen is injected into the pipeline with
either the cryogenic pumps or self extracting Nitrogen Membrane units. Nitrogen
purging shall be performed at the same pressure level as the soak test or a bit
higher but not to exceed the saturated vapor pressure at the prevailing temperature.
During pressure increase at the beginning of a purge check, care shall be taken not
to increase the dew-point in the pipeline due to compression effects.
Prior to starting the Nitrogen Purge, the dew-point shall indicate well below -20 oC.
The inlet and outlet readings could be 2oC different and yet be identical. The method
is to therefore purge at as allow a pressure ensuring that inlet and outlet dew points
remain steady below -20oC. Upon completion of purging, the pipeline shall be
blocked in with Nitrogen gas for a period of at least 12 h and at a pressure of 3bar
above the ambient pressure at all points along the pipeline. PRESSURE
MONITORING SHALL BE CARRIED OUT BY MEANS OF PRESSURE GAUGES
AND RECORDERS.
After the soak test has been successfully completed, the pipeline shall be filled
with dry Nitrogen to a pressure of 0.5bar above ambient pressure at any point
along the pipeline, thereafter, gas filling can commence under low pressure.
Warning Signs such as PIPELINE UNDER NITROGEN PRESSURE or
PIPELINE FILLED WITH DRY AIR shall be placed at all affected pipe work
including pig trap systems and block valve stations.
7.3

PROGRAM AND TESTING SCHEDULE

The drying/purging program and schedule shall be submitted to COMPANY
representative given at least 48hr notice for approval/comments before drying
preparations are due to start. In addition, at least 48hr notice shall be given to
COMPANY representative stating actual date and time such activity, checks and
inspections are due to commence.
The schedule shall be developed prior to any Drying and Nitrogen purging detailing
the installations to be dried and purged, purge pressure and duration, preparing
isometric for each section to be dried, construction of temporary works and test
provision. The purge section shall clearly be identified by isometrics and P&I
drawings. This is to ensure that each has sufficient vent and sampling points.

8.0 HSE Plan

Appropriate HSE plan shall be put in place prior to and during the execution of this
document. As a minimum, job hazard analysis (JHA) shall be developed; approved and
be discussed on site during the execution of this procedure.
The content of JHA shall be cascaded to the work crew via a daily tool box meeting in
order to inform and reinforce on the c r i t i c a l HSE awareness of the work force
regarding the activity at hand.
The JHA shall be fully implemented; including the provision of all required PPE for a
safe execution of this document.
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Good housekeeping shall be maintained at all times, to ensure proper control and
management of resultant waste from the implementation of the document. Waste
management shall be in accordance with the project management plan and the JHA
document.
Prior to dry air drying and Nitrogen purging/gassing up, the following safety measures
covered in Contractor safety standards shall be addressed. These will include:
1. Ensuring communication links are satisfactory.
2. Notifying all relevant operators and personnel.
3. Erection of safety notices around relevant pipe work.
4. Safe monitoring of operations.
5. Safe venting and/or flaring of waste gases.
6. Transfer of cold work permits to hot work as relevant.
7. Establishment of operational safety zones per relevant regulations.
8. Correlation of all commissioning reports for plant and equipment to be exposed to the
new operational status.
9.0 Quality Plan
The quality plan for this work shall include as a minimum the proper recording and
reporting of all auditable inspections and processes that shall be carried out during the
implementation of this procedure.
Quality inspection and reporting shall be in accordance with the ITP and in line
with the Project Quality Plan.