Pipeline news

The Polish operator of an oil pipeline running to Germany confirms that it has fixed the damage that caused a leak in mid October, and that the flow of crude oil from Russia has been fully restored.

The state-run operator, PERN, said that both lines of the Druzhba pipeline were operating normally, transporting oil.

The Druzhba oil pipeline linking Russia and Germany was partly shut after a leak was discovered in Poland, Pern said on 12 October. “The cause of the incident is not known for the moment. Pumping in the affected line was immediately stopped. Line 2 of the pipeline is functioning normally,” the operator said at the time.

The German government said oil deliveries were continuing to two key refineries, despite the leak. “Germany’s security of supply is currently guaranteed … Deliveries are uninterrupted,” the economy ministry said in a statement.

The leak on an underground segment of the Druzhba

Swedish newspaper Expressen has published photographs and film footage taken by an underwater drone at the site near the island of Bornholm, where the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany ruptured on 26 September.

Footage appears to show long tears in the seabed near the concrete-reinforced steel pipe. The pipe is not merely cracked but torn apart, in an act of suspected sabotage. At least 50 m of the gas pipeline appears to be missing, Expressen said.

Three separate investigations are currently trying to assess the full extent of the damage to the two twin pipelines, Nord pipeline was detected late on 11 October near the village of Zurawice, about 110 miles to the west of Warsaw.

A Pern spokesperson, Katarzyna Krasinska, told AFP that firefighters were pumping out the spilled oil, “which could take several hours”. The pipeline mainly supplies two refineries in Schwedt and Leuna in Germany.

The Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline network was put into service in the 1960s and covers 3400 miles, pumping oil from the Urals to Europe through two main branches via Belarus and Ukraine.

Germany said it was receiving less oil but still had adequate supplies. Warsaw said it was probably caused by an accident rather than sabotage.

Poland’s top official for energy infrastructure said there are no grounds to believe the leak was an act of sabotage. “Here we can talk about accidental damage,” Mateusz Berger said.

Stream 1 and 2, and collect evidence as to who was behind the sabotage.

Europe is investigating what caused three pipelines in the Nord Stream network to burst in an act of suspected sabotage near Swedish and Danish waters.

Sweden’s prosecution authority said in a press release that it had designated the area a crime scene. A spokesman for the Swedish coast guard confirmed in an email that there was now an exclusion zone of five nautical miles around the leaks.

Gonzalo Montenegro, IPLOCA President 2021 - 2022, welcomed just over 400 IPLOCA members to the Annual Convention in Prague from 19 - 23 September, with the theme: ‘Pipelines Powering a Sustainable Future.’

This year’s speakers addressed how to anticipate and overcome the challenges presented by the increase in alternative energy sources; the restrictions and guidelines for reducing carbon footprint; and the related repercussions faced by the pipeline industry. A new technology revolutionising underground construction was presented, and one of the IPLOCA members entered the Guinness Book of Records.

Poster sessions were given by CRC Evans, Cyntech Group, Gulf Energy Information, LCS Cable Cranes GmbH, Monti-Werkzeuge GmbH, Pipeline Induction Heat, and Winn & Coales International Ltd. Ten minute business-to-business meetings were offered by member companies Bechtel Pipelines, Bonatti S.p.A., Fluor, Sicim S.p.A., TC Energy and Techfem S.p.A., and were fully booked.

IPLOCA is proud to announce that for the 7th year running, 20 scholarships of US$4500 each were awarded to children or grandchildren of employees of IPLOCA members.

During the OGMs the awards for 2020, 2021, and 2022 were given for Health & Safety (sponsored by TC Energy); the Environment (sponsored by Shell); Corporate Social Responsibility (sponsored by Total); New Technologies (sponsored by BP); and for Excellence in Project Execution (sponsored by IPLOCA).

This year IPLOCA welcomed 14 new members.

Montenegro presented his ‘Year in Review’ and showed how the Association has slowly moved back to normality after the pandemic by holding more and more face-to-face meetings. During his presidential term, four face-to-face board meetings, two regional meetings, two Novel Construction sessions and an HSE & CSR workshop on sustainability were held. Membership figures have also slightly increased compared to last year.

Montenegro thanked the Board for their hard work this past year before passing the gavel to Kelly Osborn, the incoming President for the 2022 - 2023 term. Roberto Castelli was elected 1st Vice President, Leon Richards 2nd Vice President, and Adam Wynne Hughes as Treasurer. The results of the 2022 - 2023 Board of Directors’ nominations were ratified during the AGM.

The IPLOCA team looks forward to seeing all its members next year in Vancouver, Canada from 11 - 15 September 2023.

16 November 2022

VIRTUAL

www.globalhydrogenreview.com/ghc22

6 - 10 February 2023

Houston, USA

www.ppimconference.com

7 - 11 February 2023

Hawaii, USA

www.plca.org/annual-convention-events

13 - 15 February 2023

Vienna, Austria

www.ami-events.com

20 - 21 February 2023

Istanbul, Türkiye

www.togc.events

20 - 25 February 2023

Miami, USA

www.dcaweb.org/page/Convention

19 - 23 March 2023

Denver, USA

www.ace.ampp.org

27 - 29 March 2023

Vienna, Austria

www.energycouncil.com/event-events/europeangas-conference

Wood, the global consulting and engineering company, has been awarded a multi-region engineering services contract by bp to support efficient and safe energy production through the provision of asset repairs, modifications, and enhancements.

The five year reimbursable contract, valued at around US$350 million, will be delivered via agile working methods to optimise cost and delivery performance, enabling operational efficiencies to be realised across bp’s offshore installations.

This agreement renews Wood’s existing contracts in the regions to support bp to produce energy safely, efficiently, and reliably, as the world contends with the dual challenges of energy security and transition.

Craig Shanaghey, Executive President of Operations at Wood, said: “This opportunity is exciting for Wood because it has allowed

Subsea7 has entered into four long-term vessel charter agreements with Otto Candies LLC and Bordelon Marine LLC, to strengthen offshore construction, inspection, maintenance and repair (IRM), ROV survey, and pipe/umbilical laying support operations, in the Gulf of Mexico.

Grant Candies, Wyatt Candies and Ross Candies are IRM, survey, and light construction vessels under charter with Otto Candies LLC. The Connor Bordelon is a multipurpose supply vessel under charter with Bordelon Marine LLC. The contracts have differing start dates and durations, with options for extensions.

Jonathan Perzan, Subsea7 Operations Manager for Global IRM – Gulf of Mexico, said: “These vessel charters demonstrate Subsea7’s commitment to this region’s inspection, repair and maintenance business, and our ability to support our clients in the Gulf of Mexico. We look forward to continuing the safe and successful operations we have been executing with Otto Candies LLC and Bordelon Marine LLC.”

Steve Wisely, Subsea7 Senior Vice President for UK & Global IRM, said: “The continued demand for subsea services in the Gulf of Mexico region has led to these important charters for Subsea7. The charters will support the sustainable growth of our operations, and are well-positioned to secure a wide range of conventional energy and renewables opportunities, as well as other energy transition projects in the future.” us to think big, knowing that with bp’s own bold ambitions, we can help meet the world’s energy needs as efficiently as possible. Being able to truly leverage the breadth of experience and capability from right across our business will allow us to provide a solution that delivers transformational results.

“We have an extensive track record with bp and, for the first time, this multi-region approach allows us to combine these contracts into one single delivery model that puts exceptional execution, innovation, and simplification at its heart.”

Brian Chalmers, responsible for Wood’s global relationship with bp and President of Strategy and Development for Operations, said: “I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to drive a step change in the performance of bp’s offshore portfolio.”

• Rockwell Automation and

Cognite form strategic partnership • Alberta Carbon Grid secures rights to evaluate carbon storage area • px Group awarded contract • DNV joins new European

Fund

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