Goldeneye Third-Party Verification

Shell’s Goldeneye development in the north-east coast of Scotland consists of a 508 mm (20in) pipeline, 110 km long, bringing wet gas and untreated well fluids to a shore facility, with a piggy-backed 114 mm (4in) methanol line. At the landfall, the opportunity was taken to lay a section of the future Atlantic Cromarty pipeline for British Gas, of 457.2 mm (18in) diameter with a 168.3 mm (6in) piggy-back. This extends in a parallel trench through the near-shore, beach and environmentally-sensitive dune area. Saipem, the contractors, prepared the detailed design and installation procedures.

Jee reviewed and verified all aspects of the Goldeneye offshore pipelines’ systems on behalf of Shell.  The pipeline verification study included assessment of:

• route selection
• stress analysis during installation and operational stage
• wall thickness and material properties for pressure and corrosion
• external corrosion coating and cathodic protection
• weight coating for on-bottom stability, trench depth and backfill
• landfall and pipe crossings
• engineering criticality assessment (ECA) review of welds
• protection structures

Following the installation survey, Jee provided technical support to assist pipeline protection and span rectification.