What is ISO/TS 12747 - Recommended practice for pipeline transportation systems life extension about?
ISO/TS 12747 is a technical specification, that gives guidance to follow, as a minimum, in order to assess the feasibility of extending the service life of a pipeline system, as defined in ISO 13623, beyond its specified design life.
ISO/TS 12747 applies to rigid metallic pipelines.
ISO/TS 12747 is limited to life extension, which is an example of a change to the original design.
Other changes, such as MAOP up-ratings, are excluded.
Note 1: Pump stations, compressor stations, pressure-reduction stations and depots are not specifically addressed in ISO/TS 12747, as shown in Figure 1.
Note 2: The assessment methodology is applicable to other changes to the design at the discretion of the user.
Note 3: It is not applicable to the following:
- Flexible pipelines
- Pipelines constructed from other materials, such as glass reinforced plastics
- Umbilicals
- Topsides equipment
- Structures and structural components
Who is ISO/TS 12747 - Recommended practice for pipeline transportation systems life extension for?
ISO/TS 12747 on recommended practice for pipeline transportation systems life extension is useful for:
- Petroleum and natural gas industries
- Pipeline transportation systems
- Pipeline operators
- Regulators approving the life extension application
- Members of the public affected by the life extension application, such as landowners and developers
Why should you use ISO/TS 12747 - Recommended practice for pipeline transportation systems life extension?
Within ISO/TC 67/SC 2 there has been a series of discussions concerning both the needs and level of prescription required to address pipeline life extension issues. These have highlighted that
- Operators are applying differing approaches, which leads to inefficient use of both operator and authority resources
- The assessment and upgrading of existing facilities have been based on probabilistic or reliability-based methods
- The level of detail delivered varies
The purpose of ISO/TS 12747 is to address the above concerns by providing a consistent approach to pipeline life extension assessment that can be applied by operators (or parties acting on their behalf) across the industry.
ISO/TS 12747 is concerned with the proof of technical integrity of the pipeline system for the justification of extended operation. Integrity management is not covered in detail. However, the interface between a PIMS and the life extension process is considered because
- A PIMS, where present, forms an integral part of the integrity assessment of the pipeline system
- A PIMS of some form is required for operation in extended life
Note 4: Factors affecting the future operability of the system but not the technical integrity, such as the loss of a control umbilical, are flagged as requiring assessment but are not addressed in full in ISO/TS 12747.
In light of this, an overview of the life extension process and the key principles involved is given in Clause 5, for concerns of regulators approving the life extension application, members of the public affected by the life extension application, such as landowners and developers.
The remainder of ISO/TS 12747 is intended to provide detailed guidance to those performing the life extension assessments.
All guidance is provided for use in conjunction with sound engineering practice and judgment.
Note 5: ISO/TS 12747 is not intended for use as a design code.