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Industry

Underwater inspection of oil-and-gas infrastructure

The real niches for the mini class: underwater pipeline river crossings, oil-terminal berths, water intakes and outfalls, tanks and sludge ponds - wherever a diver dive is dangerous or unjustified.

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Regulatory basis

Underwater crossings are classified as especially critical sections of trunk pipelines. RD 51-3-96 - the maintenance regulation for underwater gas pipeline crossings - is mandatory both for operators and for contractors performing surveys. Crossings under navigable waters are inspected at least once every 3 years; for field pipelines, water crossings are inspected annually. Extraordinary surveys follow landslides, earthquakes and other natural disasters. A 100 m protection zone runs along underwater crossings from the outer pipe axes.

Documents
  • RD 51-3-96 - maintenance of underwater gas pipeline crossings
  • STO Gazprom 2-3.5-454-2010 - trunk gas pipeline operation rules
  • Trunk pipeline protection rules
Assets

What PROMETEY inspects

Underwater pipeline crossings of rivers
Oil-terminal berths (these are hydraulic structures)
Refinery water intakes and outfalls
Tanks, settling basins, water reservoirs
In-field water bodies, sludge ponds
Terminal water areas
Honest about the limits

In chemically contaminated media, tanks and sludge ponds a dive is either prohibited or needs so much preparation that emptying the facility is cheaper. The vehicle goes where a human should not be. For great offshore depths - honestly, that is not our class.

Questions

What depths?

300 m (both M and L). For greater depths - not our class.

Compliance with Gazprom / Transneft corporate standards?

Up to 300 m with either vehicle. Most oil-and-gas facilities are considerably shallower.

Explosion-proof version?

The standard version is not explosion-proof (not Ex-rated). For sites that require Ex we agree the work procedure; at some facilities this can be a limitation.