South Stream Transport has contracted DNV GL for the independent certification of the South Stream Offshore Pipeline.
DNV GL will be involved in the design, manufacturing, construction and pre-commissioning of the pipeline in order to issue a Certificate of Conformity, showing that the pipeline complies with the norm DNV-OS-F101. DNV-OS-F101 is a leading international standard for offshore pipelines to ensure that projects are designed, constructed and operated with due regard for safety and environmental protection.
The South Stream Offshore Pipeline will be composed of 4 parallel underwater pipelines each made up of approximately 75,000 pipes with a diameter of 32 inch (813 mm). Each pipe will have a length of 12 metres and a steel wall thickness of 39 mm. In addition, buckle arrestors with a wall thickness of 74 mm will be installed at regular intervals in deep waters for additional strength.
Third-party verification from start to finish
DNV GL will be involved across all stages of project implementation, ranging from design to construction and completion of the pipeline. In 2013, DNV GL already issued a Statement of Verification for the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) of the South Stream Offshore Pipeline. The company will also review the detailed design of the pipeline system to confirm its compliance with integrity and safety standards before construction starts.
During pipe production, inspectors from DNV GL will be present at the pipe mills to ensure that the pipes meet the required standards for the offshore pipeline. Previously, the organisation was also involved in the Manufacturing Procedure Qualification Tests (MPQT) that all potential pipe producers had to complete in order to qualify as a supplier.
DNV GL will also monitor offshore construction on-board the pipe-laying vessels and inspect and verify the pre-commissioning process that takes place before the pipeline is taken into operations.
Having DNV GL involved at both the design and implementation stages of the project ensures that the South Stream Offshore Pipeline is built in accordance with the approved design and specifications, thereby validating its integrity and safety.
Press Release, February 07, 2014; Image: south-stream-offshore