Offshore Pipeline Systems Pre-commissioning

The scope of this paper is to describe the theory and execution of pre-commissioning activities for submarine pipeline systems starting from the recommended practice from standards and going through real applications. Pre-commissioning is the phase in between construction and start-up of the pipeline systems. The scope of pre-commissioning phase is to clean the pipeline, check its integrity and prepare it for the transport of hydrocarbons. The operations herein described are not intended to be applicable to all pipeline systems but the majority. Special consideration must be made on a case-by-case basis. At the end of this paper is presented an overview of “Dry Pre-commissioning” or “System pressure test replacement” which intends to be the future in the pre-commissioning of subsea pipeline systems.