Engineering Procedure

SAEP-76 7 September 2016

Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines
Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope................................................................. 2
2 Applicable Documents....................................... 2
3 Definitions.......................................................... 4
4 General Requirements....................................... 4
5 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines............ 6
6 Onshore Pipelines............................................. 9
Revision Summary................................................. 10

Appendix A - Pipeline Decommissioning Plan........ 11

Appendix B - Roles and Responsibilities Matrix..... 12

Previous Issue: New Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019

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Contact: Saleem, Qasim (saleemqx) on +966-13-8801416

©Saudi Aramco 2016. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

1 Scope

1.1 This SAEP describes the procedures to be followed for the decommissioning/
abandonment of offshore pipelines.

1.2 The requirements are mainly for offshore pipelines; however, decommissioning
of onshore pipeline segments connected to offshore pipelines is discussed in
Section 6.

1.3 The treatment of temporarily mothballed, idled or out of service pipelines with
potential for re-use based on future need is not within the scope of this
procedure.

1.4 The methods and procedures set forth herein are minimum requirements and are
not a release from the responsibility for prudent action that circumstances make
advisable.

1.5 The decommissioning procedures shall comply with safety management

processes outlined in Company Safety Management System (SMS), Element #5,
Asset Integrity.

2 Applicable Documents

The requirements contained in the following documents apply to the extent specified in
this procedure.

2.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-13 Project Environmental Impact Assessments
SAEP-327 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning, Flushing
and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels
SAEP-358 Management of Technologically Enhanced Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
SAEP-388 Cleaning of Pipelines

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-007 Hydrostatic Testing Fluids and Lay-Up Procedures
SAES-A-103 Discharges to the Marine Environment
SAES-A-210 Management of Pyrophoric Waste
SAES-S-007 Solid Waste Landfill Requirements

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

SAES-X-300 Cathodic Protection of Marine Structures

Saudi Aramco General Instructions

GI-0002.100 Work Permit System
GI-0006.012 Isolation, Lockout, and Use of Hold Tags
GI-0007.024 Marine and Offshore Crane, Hoist, and Rigging
Operations
GI-0007.029 Rigging Hardware Requirements
GI-0008.001 Safety Requirements for Scaffolds
GI-0006.012 Isolation, Lockout, and Use of Hold Tags
GI-0002.709 Gas Testing Procedure
GI-0428.001 Cathodic Protection Responsibilities

Saudi Aramco Manuals

Saudi Aramco Safety Management System Manual
Saudi Aramco Construction Safety Manual
Saudi Aramco Crane Safety Handbook
Saudi Aramco Emergency Management Guidelines
Safety Management Guide 02-002-2010

2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API RP 51R Environmental Protection for Onshore Oil and Gas
Production Operations and Leases
API RP 579 Fitness-for-Service
API RP 1111 Design, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance
of Offshore Hydrocarbon Pipelines

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B31.4 Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid
Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids
ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems

Industry Practices
URN 09D/734 Decommissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas
Installations and Pipelines - UK’s Department of

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

OTH 535 UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
49 CFR Ch. I Code of Federal Regulations
Section 49 CFR 192.727 US Code of Federal Regulations- Abandonment
or Deactivation of Facilities
Section 30 CFR 250.1750 US Code of Federal Regulations- Pipeline
Decommissioning
Section 30 CFR 250.1754 US Code of Federal Regulations- Pipeline
Decommissioning

American Gas Association

Gas Purging Principles and Practices

3 Definitions

Abandon: Anything that is to be abandoned, is no longer of use currently nor will it be

used at any time in the future.

Demarcation Point: A point along the onshore portion of the line, established in the
Project Proposal, to mark the location at which the submarine pipeline ends as
referenced in the installation contract.

Free Span: A pipe segment which is not supported by the seabed due to uneven
seabed, pipeline crossings, tie-in to subsea structures, soil scouring, etc.

Pipeline Stabilization: The measures required to stabilize the pipeline on the seabed
during its design life or after abandonment.

Qualitative Risk Assessment: A method for understanding the risk of potential

hazards to an asset.

Subsea Pipelines: All lines used for the transportation of fluids and/or gases, installed
on or below the sea bed between an offshore facility and the demarcation point onshore
or another offshore facility.

4 General Requirements

4.1 Any decommissioning methods that are not addressed in this procedure shall be
reviewed and approved by the Chairman of the Offshore Structures Standards
Committee.

4.2 The adopted procedure shall ensure safe decommissioning of pipelines.

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

4.3 As part of pipeline decommissioning strategy, a number of factors such as

safety, environment, and economics shall be taken into consideration to establish
whether sections of pipelines can be abandoned in place or removed.

4.4 Engineering calculations relevant to the chosen decommissioning option shall be

performed to ensure that all decommissioning activities are safely performed.

4.5 Each pipeline to be abandoned shall be disconnected from all production sources
and supplies.

4.6 Each pipeline to be abandoned shall be disconnected from the cathodic

protection systems as follows:

4.6.1 All Impressed Current Cathodic Protection Systems shall be

disconnected from their power sources (rectifiers or solar systems),
negative junction boxes, and bond boxes.

4.6.2 Any physical or mechanical connections to adjacent pipelines or

structures shall be electrically isolated by physical separation.

4.6.3 Galvanic anodes are not required to be disconnected unless they can be
utilized for other neighboring pipelines.

4.6.4 Remove any CP devices such as spark gaps installed across the
insulating flanges.

4.6.5 All abandonment activities related to CP including electrical and

physical disconnections should be properly documented and submitted to
the proponent for records.

4.7 Pipeline cleaning/flushing

4.7.1 Cleaning/flushing operations shall be performed at the earliest stage of

the decommissioning process as per SAEP-388.

4.7.2 Propellants used to drive cleaning scrapers shall be safe enough to be left
after scraping/cleaning, non-corrosive and environmentally acceptable.

4.7.3 Sea water if used as a propellant shall be treated with oxygen scavenger,
corrosion inhibitor and a biocide as per SAES-A-007.

4.7.4 Compressible driving fluids shall not be used if waxy residues are
present in large amounts.

4.7.5 Disposal of the waste water from cleaning/flushing of the pipeline shall
meet the requirements of SAEP-327.

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

4.7.6 It shall be ensured that no residues and scale are left in the pipeline and
the pipeline is left safe and clean on the seabed.

4.8 Upon completion of cleaning/flushing operations, the pipeline shall be

physically disconnected at both ends. This can be achieved e.g. by corridor
spool removal, pipe section cut out or any other method, which will physically
break all electrical continuity from the upstream and downstream structures.

4.9 Prior to commencing any decommissioning work, a written procedure meeting

all the requirements outlined in Appendix A shall be developed. The procedure
shall be reviewed by CSD and approved by all parties involved in the
decommissioning activities.

4.9.1 The procedure shall comply with GI-0002.100, “Work Permit System,”
GI-0006.012, “Isolation, Lockout, and Use of Hold Tags,” and
GI-0002.711 “Fire and Safety Watch.”

4.9.2 The procedure shall include detailed requirements for safe working
conditions. Abandonment shall be performed under qualified
supervision by trained personnel aware of and familiar with hazards to
personnel, public, and environment.

4.9.3 The procedure shall detail the safety measures associated with all
mechanized abandonment equipment.

4.9.4 The procedure shall include all required data such as pipe diameter, wall
thickness, grade, etc.

4.9.5 All abandonment activities shall be tracked in accordance with

Management of Change Procedure of the operating organization.

5 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

5.1 Leaving in Place

5.1.1 The decommissioning by leaving in place shall consider the likely

deterioration of the material involved and its present and possible future
effect on the marine environment. The factors to be taken into account
shall include the effect on water quality and geological and hydrographic
characteristics; the presence of endangered, threatened or protected
species; existing habitat types; local fishery resources; and the potential
for pollution or contamination of the site by residual products from or
deterioration of the pipeline.

5.1.2 The potential environmental impact shall be minimized by considering

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

the contents of the line and performing the cleaning operations.

In addition to cleaning hydrocarbons, reasonable measures to remove
wax and other contaminants shall be carried out.

5.1.3 The degree of past and likely future burial/exposure of the pipeline and
its potential effect on the marine environment shall be considered.

5.1.4 The pipelines decommissioned by leaving in place shall be left open

ended at both ends to accelerate natural degradation and to ensure that no
on-bottom stability issues, e.g., flotation are encountered after
abandonment. CP sacrificial anodes should be disconnected to
accelerate the natural degradation.

5.1.5 The following pipelines shall be decommissioned by leaving in place:

5.1.5.1 Buried or trenched pipelines (with a minimum depth of 0.6 m

above the top of pipeline) which are expected to remain
buried/trenched and are not subject to development of spans.

5.1.5.2 Pipelines installed on sea bed which are expected to self-bury

over a sufficient length within a reasonable time and remain
buried.

5.1.5.3 Pipelines which have experienced structural damage or

deterioration and therefore cannot be recovered safely and
efficiently.

5.2 Pipeline Removal

5.2.1 The condition of the pipeline shall be established by internal/external

inspection prior to decommissioning by recovery/removal.

5.2.2 A pre-decommissioning survey shall be performed to establish the

condition of the pipeline in terms of the followings:
 Concrete weight coating damage
 External impact damage
 External corrosion
 Sacrificial anodes
 Bonding cables to other pipelines
 Unsupported spans
 Crossings status
 Pipeline movement
 Burial status

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

 Soil conditions
 Debris and scour
 Proximity to other pipelines and structures
 Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) status of the
pipeline
Furthermore, previous survey history/records of the pipeline with
appropriate data shall be used to confirm the current status of the
pipeline.

5.2.3 The complete or partial removal of a pipeline shall be performed in such

a way as to cause no significant adverse effects upon the marine
environment.

5.2.4 The employed recovery technique used for pipeline abandonment shall
ensure no damage to the pipelines/structures in proximity.

5.2.5 The most suitable pipeline recovery method shall be selected after due
consideration of all the requirements. The recovery methods may
include but are not limited to:
 Reverse reel lay
 Reverse S-lay
 Reverse J-lay
 Davit lift barge
 Towing

5.2.5.1 Reverse reel lay method shall be used for recovering small
diameter pipelines (up to 16” and possibly higher diameter
depending on the reel capacity). Reverse reel lay recovery will
eliminate cutting the pipeline into short lengths and the need
for a supply vessel for subsequent storage and transportation to
onshore.

5.2.5.2 Barge recovery equipment shall have sufficient capability to

handle the water depth, the suspended weight of the empty pipe
and configured to avoid buckling.

5.2.5.3 Cutting method employed to cut the pipeline into small

manageable sections shall be suitable for marine/subsea
environment.

5.2.6 Overstressing of the pipeline during recovery operations shall be avoided

by performing relevant engineering calculations.

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

5.2.7 Pipeline collapse and buckle propagation analyses shall be performed to

determine the minimum wall thickness which will allow safe recovery.

5.2.8 After an abandoned pipeline has been recovered, the seabed shall be
restored to a condition which matches its surroundings.

5.2.9 For any recovered pipelines, a process of monitoring, and verification of

being free of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) shall be
performed prior to disposal of materials.

5.2.10 Disposal of recovered pipeline material shall be performed to minimize

adverse environmental and public health impacts.

5.2.11 Pipeline stabilization or protection measures such as concrete mattresses

and grout bags used during the operational life shall be removed for
onshore disposal. If the condition of the mattresses or grout bags is such
that they cannot be removed safely or efficiently, they can be left in
place subject to review and approval of the Chairman of the Offshore
Structures Standards Committee.

5.2.12 When the offshore section of the pipeline is being recovered, the shore
approach section shall be left in place provided it has sufficient cover
and will not be exposed subsequently or have a deleterious effect on the
environment.

5.2.13 Pipeline recovery shall be analyzed on a case by case basis, the criteria in
each case being dependent on the condition of the pipeline.

6 Onshore Pipelines

6.1 The requirements in this section apply only to onshore pipeline segments
connected to offshore pipelines. Furthermore, general requirements outlined in
Section 4 are applicable for onshore pipelines.

6.2 A pre- decommissioning survey shall be performed to establish the condition of

the pipeline in terms of the followings:
 External impact damage
 External corrosion
 Cathodic protection
 Pipeline movement
 Burial status
 Crossings status

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

Furthermore, previous survey history/records of the pipeline with appropriate

data shall be used to confirm the current status of the pipeline.

6.3 The preferred option for onshore pipeline abandonment shall be by leaving in
place considering minimal environmental impact and safety risks.

6.4 Buried onshore pipelines which are expected to remain buried, the following
requirements do not apply:
 Qualitative risk assessment.
 Environmental impact assessment.

6.5 If it is not practical to abandon the pipeline in place then the access, recovery,
disposal and land restoration shall be planned to minimize environmental impact
and safety risks.

6.6 The removal of onshore pipelines should be conducted in a way that does not
negatively impact any ecologically sensitive areas (defined in SAEP-13).

Revision Summary
7 September 2016 New Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure that describes the procedures to be followed
for the decommissioning of offshore pipelines.

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

Appendix A - Pipeline Decommissioning Plan

The decommissioning contractor/proponent shall develop a plan for pipeline decommissioning.

The plan shall include the following as minimum where applicable:

1. Description of pipeline(s) to be decommissioned.

2. Inventory of materials.

3. Pre decommissioning survey (required for offshore pipeline recovery option and for
onshore pipelines segments connected to offshore pipelines).

4. Cleaning/flushing procedure.

5. Cathodic protection system disconnection and decommissioning procedures.

6. Qualitative risk assessment (QRA) assessing the safety risks.

7. Environmental impact assessment (EIA).

8. Selected decommissioning option along with its justification.

9. Emergency response plan developed in accordance with Saudi Aramco Emergency

Management Guidelines (required for recovery option only).

10. Pipeline material disposal plan (required for recovery option only).

11. Debris clearance plan (required for recovery option only).

12. Engineering calculations.

13. Supporting studies.

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Document Responsibility: Offshore Structures Standards Committee SAEP-76
Issue Date: 7 September 2016
Next Planned Update: 7 September 2019 Decommissioning of Offshore Pipelines

Appendix B - Roles and Responsibilities Matrix

R - RESPONSIBLE

PROPONENT

DRILLING
A - ACCOUNTABLE

MARINE

P&CSD
PFDD

RMD
CSD

OPD

HSU
GES
EPD
LPD

FPD
C - CONSULTED

GA

CD

ID
I - INFORMED

TASKS
1. BUSINESS CASE
1.1 Late Life Operation & Field assessment R A/R I C R I
1.2 Decision to Abandon R A/R C I I I I I I C R C
1.3 Regulatory Permits & Approvals R A C
1.4 Contracting Strategy A R C
2. PRE-DECOMMISSIONING
2.1 Asset & Site Evaluation A I R R C
2.2 Decommissioning Alternatives C A C C C C I C C C R
2.3 Engineering Studies I A C I C C I C R I R I
2.4 Disposal Planning A I C C C R
3. DECOMMISSIONING EXECUTION
3.1 Pipelines/Facilities Making Safe I A/R C C C I C R I R
3.2 Pipeline Cleaning/Flushing I A/R C C C I C R I R
3.3 Disconnection and Decommissioning of CP I A/R I C C I C R I R
3.3 Leaving in Place I A/R I R C C R C A R
3.4 Pipeline Removal I A I R C C R I A R
4. POST-DECOMMISSIONING
4.1 Site Remediation C I C A R I
4.2 Waste Disposal A C I C R R

ACRONYMS
ID INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
PFDD PRODUCING AND FACILITIES DEPARTMENT P&CSD PROCESS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS DEPARTMENT
GA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OPD OFFSHORE PROJECTS DEPARTMENT
CD CONTRACTING DEPARTMENT GES GENERAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACTOR
LPD LOSS PREVENTION DEPARTMENT RMD RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
CSD CONSULTING SERVICES DEPARTMENT FPD FACILITIES PLANNING DEPARTMENT
EPD ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HSU HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY UNIT

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