Engineering Procedure

SAEP-327 10 June 2018

Management of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels
Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee

Contents
1 Scope.............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 Applicable Documents.................................... 2
4 Instructions......................................................3
5 Responsibilities............................................... 6
6 Water Disposal Request Form........................ 8
7 Definitions, Terms, and Abbreviations............ 8

Water Disposal Request Form............................ 10

Water Disposal Approval Form........................... 11
Figure 1 – Oil/Water Separation Pond................ 12
Figure 2 – Wastewater Evaporation Pond.......... 13

Previous Issue: 15 May 2016 Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019

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Contact: Qasem, Ali Mothana (qassam0a) on +966-13-8800498
Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2016. All rights reserved.
Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

1 Scope

This procedure establishes the Saudi Aramco environmental instructions and

responsibilities for the management of wastewater from hydrotesting, cleaning,
flushing and dewatering pipelines, tanks, and vessels. This procedure applies to all
onshore and offshore activities. This procedure excludes marine vessels (boats/ships).
The objective of this procedure is to conserve water resources and protect soil,
groundwater, and marine environment from possible contamination.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this Procedure and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs)
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing to the General Supervisor, Environmental Engineering
Division, Environmental Protection Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this procedure in writing to the General
Supervisor, Environmental Engineering Division, Environmental Protection
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran who shall follow internal company
procedure SAEP-302.

3 Applicable Documents

The following documents are referenced in this procedure or required by this procedure:
INT-11 Water Conservation Policy

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-13 Project Environmental Impact Assessments
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
SAEP-358 Management of Technologically Enhanced Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-007 Hydrostatic Testing Fluids and Lay-Up Procedures
SAES-A-103 Discharges to the Marine Environment
SAES-A-104 Wastewater Treatment, Reuse and Disposal
SAES-M-006 Saudi Aramco General Purpose Fencing

Saudi Aramco General Instructions

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

GI-0002.716 Land Use Permit Procedures

GI-0430.001 Implementing the Saudi Aramco Hazardous Waste
Code

Saudi Aramco Environmental Health Code

SAEHC-S02 Sanitary Wastewater and Sewerage Systems
SAHWC Saudi Aramco Hazardous Waste Code

Government Environmental Regulations

General Environmental Regulations for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Royal Commission Environmental Regulations (RCER 2004)

4 Instructions

4.1 Efforts to conserve environmental resources include the reuse, recovery, and
recycling of generated wastewater where practical. Refer to the Corporate
Water Conservation Policy, INT-11.

4.2 The hydrocarbon or other contaminants’ concentrations in disposed wastewater

are limited by SAES-A-103 / SAES-A-104 / SAEHC-S02. The instructions
below are to minimize adverse environmental and public health impacts of
wastewater disposal after cleaning, flushing dewatering of pipelines, tanks and
vessels.

4.3 The construction of disposal ponds and/or separator ponds requires compliance
with land use permit requirements as per GI-0002.716.

4.4 New (i.e. unused) pipelines and pipelines for gas and water services do not
require oil/water separation systems prior to disposal.

4.5 Disposal of fluids from pipelines in liquid hydrocarbon service requires the
construction and use of oil/water separation systems prior to disposal.
Separator pond should be sited to minimize exposure risk to nearby facilities
personnel (i.e., downwind).

4.6 As far as possible locate the disposal site within the existing pipeline corridor
while ensuring adequate pipeline access and without causing damage to the
existing roadways, pipelines, private entities or other structures.

4.7 Disposal to an Evaporation Pond

Oil/water separator ponds (Figure 1) are required upstream of evaporation ponds

(Figure 2) to collect residual hydrocarbon and improve evaporation in the

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

evaporation ponds. Evaporation ponds must meet the requirements of

SAES-A-104 Section 15.2. New evaporation ponds may require an
environmental impact assessment per SAEP-13.

4.8 Disposal to Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant

Discharge wastewater directly to the local industrial wastewater treatment plant if

disposal does not affect the normal operations of the plant. Obtain concurrence
from the operator of the treatment plant prior to selection of this disposal option.
Disposal to Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant must meet the requirements of
SAES-A-104.

4.9 Previously Used Approved Pond

Disposal to existing, previously used evaporation ponds requires evaluation as a

new disposal request. The volume, water quality, and potential for contamination
from additional disposal require a separate evaluation as per this procedure.

4.10 Disposal to the Marine Environment

Dispose wastewater to the marine environment to the Arabian Gulf or Red Sea
in accordance with the criteria in Table 1 and SAES-A-103. Ensure adequate
dispersal of wastewater in the marine environment by employing diffusers or
similar technologies. Alternatively, transfer wastewater onshore for
treatment/disposal as per Sections 4.3 through 4.8.

4.10.1 Biocides, other than those identified in SAES-A-007 will require

evaluation and approval by EED prior to disposal to the Arabian Gulf or
the Red Sea. Submit Water Disposal Request Form.

4.10.2 Dispose wastewater with Rhodamine B and TROS (fluorescent) dyes

into deep water, shallow water and embayment systems per Table 1.
For other dyes provide toxicity data, submit Water Disposal Approval
Form. Notify Frontier Forces (Coast Guard) of any discharges of dyes to
the sea to prevent alarm.

4.10.3 Use a spray nozzle to allow maximum oxygenation of discharge waters

containing oxygen scavenger added per SAES-A-007.

4.10.4 Submit Water Disposal Request Form and obtain approval from EED
before discharge of any wastewater to embayments and/or marine
protection areas in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea.

4.10.5 Contaminated wastewater shall not be discharged to the intertidal zone.

Discharge locations should be selected where the water column is
deepest for the project area. Discharge at that location shall be as close
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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

to the water surface as practicable. If only oxygen scavenger is used,

discharge shall be into the air at the selected discharge location.
Lower the discharge rate to less than five cubic meters per minute to
allow mixing and mitigate adverse impact to the marine environment.
Alternatively, SAES-A-104 allows the injection of wastewater into any
petroleum reservoir from which hydrocarbons are produced.

4.10.6 Submit Water Disposal Request Form and obtain approval from EED
before disposal of wastewater to the Red Sea.

Table 1 - Guidelines for Disposal of Wastewater to the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea
Embayments /
Quality / Volume of Water Deep Water* Shallow Water*
Sensitive Habitats /
for Disposal into the Arabian Gulf (>30m) (<30m)
Conservation Areas*
No additives except oxygen **Discharge **Discharge
Submit Form
scavenger and/or non-toxic dye Allowed Allowed
**Discharge Discharge
<1,000 m³, <200 mg/l biocide*** Submit Form
Allowed Not Allowed
Discharge Discharge
>1,000 m³, <200mg/l biocide*** Submit Form
Not Allowed Not Allowed
Discharge Discharge Discharge
Any volume >200mg/l biocide***
Not Allowed Not Allowed Not Allowed
Quality / Volume of Water
for Disposal into the Red Sea
Any quality / volume Submit Form Submit Form Submit Form

* See complete definition in Section 7

** Submit Water Disposal Approval Form if volume is equal to or greater than 10,000 m³
*** Concentration at time of discharge

4.11 Disposal to the Terrestrial Environment

4.11.1 Do not discharge wastewater to any ecologically sensitive areas, including:

 Areas within 2000 meters of designated or proposed Saudi Wildlife
Commission Biodiversity Protection Areas;
 Areas within 2000 meters of designated Important Bird Areas;
 Areas within 2000 meters of designated Important Plant Areas;
 Areas within 2000 meters of permanent or semi-permanent wetlands;
 Areas within 400 meters of the coastline;
 Areas within 200 meters of wadis and other natural drainage
channels;

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

 Areas within 200 meters Saudi Aramco Biodiversity Protection

Areas;
 Extensive areas (more than 1 km2) of relatively intact natural habitat;
 Areas containing traditional colonial-nesting, colonial-roosting, or
social-foraging habitat for native or migratory vertebrate species

4.11.2 Disposal to Sabkhah

Separated wastewater can be discharged directly to sabkhah for

evaporation provided that:
 The wastewater does not flow to the marine environment, or any of
the ecologically sensitive areas listed above; and
 The wastewater passes through an oil/water separator pond
(Figure 1) before it is discharged to the sabkhah to ensure retention
of residual hydrocarbon for subsequent collection and proper
handling.

4.12 Waste Hydrocarbon, Waste Chemicals, NORM

Collect recovered hydrocarbon and return them to the nearest GOSP or other
oil movement point of entry. Manage chemical wastes (excess dyes, biocides,
oxygen scavenger, or other chemicals) in accordance with GI-0430.001.
All excess, redundant, expired, used chemicals should be sent to Materials
Reclamation. Manage NORM in accordance with SAEP-358.

5 Responsibilities

5.1 Project Management or Facility Operating Department

5.1.1 For new facilities, Project Management, and for existing facilities the
Division Head of the Facility is responsible for the completion and
submittal of Water Disposal plan package.

5.1.2 Prepare a disposal plan package and submit with the Water Disposal
plan package to EED 60 days before the proposed water disposal date
(see attached form for details). The water disposal plan package,
includes the Water Disposal Request Form (see attached form), hydrotest
dewatering package, all pond drawings, chemical analyses of water, list
of used chemicals and concentrations, approved LUPs, and UTM
coordinates for each disposal location (new and existing).

5.1.3 Ensure that the water disposal does not cause soil erosion.

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

5.1.4 Comply with the requirements of the completed Water Disposal Approval.

5.1.5 Comply with requirements of the GER and RCER, as needed.

5.1.6 Obtain necessary permits from Royal Commission and Frontier forces,
as necessary for projects within their jurisdiction.

5.1.7 For hydrotesting tanks after T&I with seawater and no addition of
chemicals, submit the Water Disposal Request Form to EPD/EED
10 days (5 days for tanks smaller than 1 million bbls) before the
proposed water disposal date.

5.2 Environmental Engineering Division (EED)

5.2.1 Review and approve Water Disposal plan package. If applicable,

EED will solicit concurrence on Water Disposal Approval Form from:
 Reservoir Characterization Department/Groundwater Division
 Saudi Aramco Affairs Department/Land Protection Division

5.2.2 Provide a written explanation as soon as possible to the proponent and to

all concerned parties if Water Disposal Approval Form is disapproved or
receives conditional approval, to plan timely alternatives or to meet the
conditions.

5.2.3 Return to the proponent approved or conditionally approved Water

Disposal Approval Form no later than 30 working days after initial
receipt.

5.3 Groundwater Division / Reservoir Characterization Department

5.3.1 As required, Groundwater Division reviews Water Disposal plan

packages.

5.3.2 As required, Groundwater Division concurs with Water Disposal plan

package.

5.4 Land Protection Division / Saudi Aramco Affairs Department

5.3.1 Review Water Disposal plan packages, as required.

5.3.2 Concur with Water Disposal plan package, as required.

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

6 Water Disposal Request Form

Water Disposal plan packages, which include a Water Disposal Information Request
Form, are required for all water disposal from cleaning, flushing, and hydrostatic tests
when any one of the following conditions exist:
 Specified in Table 1 – “Guidelines for Disposal of Wastewater to the Arabian Gulf
and the Red Sea”; OR
 Disposal water is contaminated, and will not be discharged to existing approved
plant process drainage facilities; OR
 Wastewater volume is between 1,000 m³ and 10,000 m³, and the disposal water TDS
and conductivity are more than 25% than the TDS and conductivity of the receiving
surface water or underlying groundwater; OR
 Disposal water volume equals or exceeds 10,000 m³.

7 Definitions, Terms, and Abbreviations

The following apply to this procedure:

Approved Biocide: The only biocides approved for disposal to the environment are
Polyhexamethylene Biguandide Hydrochloride.

Biocide: A substance that is lethal to biological organisms.

Chemical Additives: Any added chemical present in the water prior to discharge.

Conductivity: Measurement of the specific electrical conductivity, which is the ease

with which a conducting current can flow through a fluid, reported in umhos/cm-1.

Contaminated: Wastewater that does not meet the discharge water quality criteria
specified in either SAES-A-103 or SAES-A-104 or has unapproved biocides/dyes.

Deep Water: Seawater greater than 30 meters deep (relative to Lowest Astronomical
Tide), and farther than 5 km from the shoreline, an offshore island, coral reef, or other
sensitive marine habitat including embayments and conservation areas.

Embayments, Sensitive Habitats, Conservation Areas: Areas defined by EPD as

terrestrial, nearshore or offshore habitats that require extra protection because of their
importance for flora and fauna, or archeological sites.

Hydrostatic Tests: Mandatory general requirements governing in-situ pressure testing

of new and existing pipelines, plant piping and pressure containing process equipment.

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

Intertidal Zone: The area that is exposed to the air at low tide and submerged at high
tide, for example, the area between tide marks.

Receiving Surface Water: Any surface water body that receives disposed water.
This includes open bodies of water (such as the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea).

Sabkhah: Are defined on geologic maps available for review from Reservoir
Characterization Dept./EXPEC.

Shallow Water: Sea water less than 30 meters deep (relative to Lowest Astronomical
Tide), and less than 5 km from the shoreline, an offshore island, coral reef or other
sensitive marine habitats, including embayments and conservation areas.

Uncontaminated: Wastewater that meets the discharge water quality criteria specified
in either SAES-A-103 or SAES-A-104.

Wadi: A streambed channel, or dry wash, that is usually dry except during the rainy
season.

Wastewater Disposal Package: The disposal plan package , includes the completed
water disposal form, hydrotest dewatering package, all pond drawings, chemical
analyses of water, list of used chemicals and concentrations, approved LUPs, and UTM
coordinates for each disposal location (new and existing).

EED: Environmental Engineering Division of Environmental Protection Dept.

GER: Government Environmental Regulations
GOSP: Gas Oil Separation Plant
LUP: Land Use Permit as applicable from GI-0002.716
NORM: Naturally occurring radioactive material
RCER: Royal Commission Environmental Requirements
TDS: Total Dissolved Solids content, reported in mg/L
UTM: Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system (in meters)

Revision Summary
15 May 2016 Revised the Next Planned Update, reaffirmed the content of the document, and reissued as
major revision. The objective of this procedure is to conserve water resources and protect soil,
groundwater, and marine environment from possible contamination.
10 June 2018 Editorial revision to change standards committee from Environmental to Environmental
Protection.

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

Water Disposal Request Form

Identification of Equipment: ____________________________________________________

Location: __________________________________________________________________
(km, End Points for Pipeline, Plant Location of Equipment)
Project BI Number: ___________________________________________________________

Type Service Condition

[ ] Pipeline [ ] Oil [ ] New
[ ] Tank [ ] Gas/Condensate [ ] Existing
[ ] Other Vessel [ ] Other

Diameter of Pipeline / Vessel: _______________________________________ (include units)

Length of Pipeline / Height of Vessel: _________________________________ (include units)
Expected Water Disposal Volume: ___________________________________ (include units)
The disposal water IS / IS NOT contaminated. (strike one)
The disposal water WILL / WILL NOT contain chemical additives. (strike one)
[ ] The disposal water is between 1,000 m³ and 10,000 m³, and the disposal water TDS
and conductivity vary by more than 25% of the TDS and conductivity of the receiving
surface water or underlying groundwater.
[ ] The volume of disposal water equals or exceeds 10,000 m³.

List Chemical Additive(s) and their concentration(s): _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
Source Water:
[ ] Well water [ ] Seawater ______________________________________ (provide well
number or location)
Source Water Conductivity or Total Dissolved Solids: ______________ (include units)
Planned Disposal Date(s): ____________________________________
Planned Disposal Location(s): _________________________________

APPROVAL REQUEST: (as applicable per Section 5.1)

__________________________________ ____________
Project or Facility Manager Signature Date

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

Water Disposal Approval Form

Identification of Equipment: ____________________________________________________

Location: __________________________________________________________________
(km End Points for Pipeline, Plant Location of Equipment)
Project BI Number: ___________________________________________________________

Water Disposal Approval Form Concurrences: (As Applicable):

__________________________________ ____________
Administrator, Land Affairs Division Date
Saudi Aramco Affairs

__________________________________ ____________
Chief Hydrologist, Groundwater Division Date
Reservoir Characterization Department

Water Disposal Approval Form Approval:

_____________________________________________ _____________
General Supervisor, Environmental Engineering Division Date
Environmental Protection Department

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

Figure 1 - Oil/Water Separation Pond

CLOSED ENDS
INLET DISCHARGE
TEE TO
SPREADER SABKHAH

POND BOTTOM

A A’

TOP OF BERM

cL BERM OF OIL SEPARATOR POND

POND INLET VERTICAL TEE FITTING
TEE SPREADER COMPACTED MARL SIDES
SEE ABOVE OPEN END
TO PIPELINE
SPLASH PAD

1.0 m COMPACTED
A TOP BERM
COMPACTED OPEN END CONCRETE PIPE A’
MARL BASE 0.3 m ABOVE SUPPORT
0.5 m POND BASE

Notes:
 Drawing not to scale
 Drawing shows discharge to sabkhah, however, the oil/water separation pond may be connected directly to a
properly constructed evaporation pond.
 This figure shows a flow-through pond (between pipeline and evaporation pond or between pipeline and
sabkhah discharge).
 Size piping to prevent pond flooding during discharge.
 Pond should have Spreader Tee or other appropriate method of liner erosion control, constructed within a larger
diameter pipe to disperse energy and control gas pockets.
 Pond shall be fenced to provide adequate perimeter control to prevent entry by livestock and humans.
 Remove accumulated hydrocarbons to an approved treatment/disposal site.
 Provide Vertical, open Tee fitting to prevent inadvertent siphoning from oil/water separation pond.
 Pond design shall meet SAES-A-104 Section 15.2.

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Document Responsibility: Environmental Protection Standards Committee SAEP-327
Issue Date: 10 June 2018 Disposal of Wastewater from Cleaning,
Next Planned Update: 15 May 2019 Flushing and Dewatering Pipelines and Vessels

Figure 2 - Wastewater Evaporation Pond

CLOSED ENDS
INLET
TEE
SPREADER

POND BOTTOM

A A’

TOP OF BERM

cL BERM OF OIL EVAPORATION POND

POND INLET
TEE SPREADER COMPACTED MARL SIDES
SEE ABOVE
TO PIPELINE

1.0 m COMPACTED
A TOP BERM
COMPACTED A’
MARL BASE
0.5 m

Notes:
 Drawing not to scale
 Pond should have Spreader Tee or other appropriate method of liner erosion control. Ponds with no
upstream oil/water separation pond require the spreader tee inside a larger diameter pipe to disperse energy
and control gas pockets.
 Pond shall be fenced to provide adequate perimeter control to prevent entry by livestock and humans.
 Use oil/water separator pond upstream for pipelines in liquid hydrocarbon service.
 Maximum depth for evaporation pond shall be 1.5 m. HDPE sealed, lined ponds have no depth maximum.
 Pond design shall meet SAES-A-104 Section 15.2.

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