| Work Detail |
The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has carried out an audit of Equinor focused on fabrication of the production pipeline for the Irpa project. The audit was conducted on 4 and 5 June 2024.
Background
The plan for development and operation of the Irpa field describes first use on the Norwegian Continental Shelf of a swaged pipe-in-pipe pipeline concept with thermal insulation (low U-value) for deep water.
The chosen solution also represents a larger pipe dimension and greater water depth than previously installed pipelines of this type.
This audit builds on our audit of September 2023 of the technology qualification and design requirements.
Equinor has awarded Saipem the contract for fabrication and installation (EPCI) of the production pipeline. The fabrication of the pipe-in-pipe pipe lengths is taking place under Saipems direction and using their equipment at a facility owned by Nuova Icom. Interpipe ITP, as technology owner and subcontractor to Saipem, is assisting in the fabrication process with equipment, personnel training and monitoring, among other things, in connection with the application of insulation to inner pipes, swaging of outer pipes and annulus pressure reduction of pipe-in-pipe pipe lengths.
Objective
The objective of the audit was to ensure that the fabrication of the Irpa production pipeline complies with requirements in the HSE regulations and standards, and Equinor’s own requirements, and to ensure compliance with their supervisory duty in the execution of project deliveries.
Result
No non-conformities were identified during the audit, but we observed one factor that we have chosen to categorise as an improvement point. This concerned:
Governing document for fabrication follow-up
What happens now?
We have asked Equinor to give us their assessment of the improvement point observed by 30 August 2024. |
