The Gulfstream Project Meeting the Pipe Supply Challenge

Transcription

1 The Gulfstream Project Meeting the Pipe Supply Challenge Hans-Georg Hillenbrand Carmen Norris Fred Hafner Europipe GmbH Berg Steel Pipe Corp. Berg Steel Pipe Corp. 1 th Joint Technical Meeting on Pipeline Research EPRG PRCI APIA May 19-3, 3, Berlin, Germany TP5

2 The Gulfstream Project Meeting the Pipe Supply Challenge Hans-Georg Hillenbrand, Sen. Manager Technical Sales, Europipe GmbH Carmen Norris, Technical Sales Representative, Berg Steel Pipe Corp. Fred Hafner, Chief Metallurgist, Berg Steel Pipe Corp. ABSTRACT The Gulfstream project is the largest offshore project ever built in the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure gas pipeline traverses the Gulf from the Mobile area to Tampa, a distance of 73km or 37 miles under water. In addition, approximately 7 km (9 miles) of pipe network is required for the onshore part. The offshore portion of the Gulfstream Pipeline required the most stringent production and delivery schedule. Therefore it was necessary to introduce all three Europipe Berg large-diameter pipe mills. This paper discusses the steel, plate and pipe making, coating, pipelaying, and logistics involved in this ambitious project. One objective was to compare the different production technologies like UO and Three-Roll-Bending, expanded and non-expanded pipe. The influence of the different production routes on the pipe properties is negligible. Page 1 of 1

3 The Gulfstream Project Meeting the Pipe Supply Challenge INTRODUCTION During 1 and, the Europipe Group manufactured large diameter longitudinal seam submerged arc welded linepipe for the Gulfstream Pipeline Project. The Gulfstream Pipeline was originally developed by Coastal Corporation/ANR Pipeline and was sold to the partnership of Williams Gas Pipeline and Duke Energy in February 1. The natural gas pipeline extends from the Mobile, Alabama area, crosses the Gulf of Mexico, makes landfall at Port Manatee, Florida and traverses onshore through southern Florida. The total project required approximately 1, km (5 miles) of large diameter line pipe. Europipe manufacturing facilities in Panama City, Florida, Mülheim, Germany and Dunkerque, France participated in the project. Because of gas supply contractual coitments, the pipe production schedule was very demanding. Gulfstream s schedule combined with challenging shipping and handling logistics, resulted in a landmark project for the Europipe Group. WHY BUILD A MAJOR TRANSMISSION LINE INTO FLORIDA? As early as the mid 19 s, companies have explored building a pipeline into Florida. Due to lack of firm market and environmental obstacles, none of the early ventures came to fruition. Still, Florida s population continued to grow at a rapid pace and by the mid 199 s it was clear that additional natural gas capacity was required. During this time several projections existed which would encourage plans for construction of a new pipeline: Florida s population was expected to add more than. million people over the next decade. To meet the population growth, an additional 1, MW of electrical generation would be needed by. If all 1, MW were sourced from natural gas, an additional. Mm 3 /day (1.5 Bcf/day) of natural gas would be required. Millions ,, 15,5 17,9 Year Population Megawatts From to, natural gas was expected to grow from supplying 19% of Florida s electrical generation to supplying 3% - a % increase. Coal 39% Current Nuclear 19% Coal 3% Nuclear 15% Oil % Oil 3% Gas 19% Gas 3% Page of 1

4 With these projections verified, three pipeline projects were proposed in 1997/199 to primarily serve the Florida utilities and power generation facilities that planned on using high-efficiency, natural gas turbines to meet the incremental demand for electric energy: Gulfstream Natural Gas System Proposed by Coastal Corporation/ANR Pipeline. Offshore route from Mobile, Alabama area to Port Manatee, Florida. Buccaneer Pipeline Proposed by Williams Gas Pipeline. Offshore route from Mobile, Alabama area to Pasco County, Florida. Sawgrass Pipeline System Proposed by Duke Energy. Onshore route from Coden, Alabama, across the Florida panhandle and into central/southern Florida. During the next two years, each company sought right-of-way and market in Florida. Because of Florida s stringent environmental regulations, Duke s onshore proposal was not viable and, therefore, Duke dropped their Sawgrass System proposal and joined Williams as a partner in the Buccaneer Pipeline in February. However, the Buccaneer Pipeline encountered resistance over their landfall location in Pasco County. By late, Gulfstream had secured a solid customer base in Florida and had received approval for their landfall location in Port Manatee. These two factors spurred the development of the Gulfstream system and caused Williams to abandon their Buccaneer Pipeline. In January 1, El Paso Corp. purchased Coastal/ANR and, as a result of that purchase, sold the Gulfstream Natural Gas System to the partnership of Williams Gas Pipeline and Duke Energy. GULFSTREAM NATURAL GAS SYSTEM The Gulfstream Pipeline, shown in Figure 1, would result in several Florida firsts : The first new pipeline servicing Florida in more than years. The largest gas transmission pipeline ever built in the Gulf of Mexico. The first interstate pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. The first offshore pipeline to come onshore in Florida. Figure 1: Route of the Gulfstream line Page 3 of 1

5 Gulfstream is designed to supply 31. million m 3 /day (1.1 Bcf/day) of natural gas, enough to provide electricity for.5 million Florida homes. At a total project cost of $ 1. billion, the Gulfstream pipeline consists of the following: Compression - One compressor station in Coden, Alabama. Gathering - Approximately km (1 miles) of gathering line in Mississippi and Alabama. Offshore - 73 km (37 miles) of 91 (3 ) offshore pipeline from Mississippi Sound, Alabama to Tampa Bay, Florida Onshore Approximately 7 km (9 miles) of onshore transmission and distribution lines by 3/. Phase I requires 57 km (1 miles) in service by June and Phase II requires 9 km (13 miles) in service in 3/. Gulfstream has supply area reserves of billion m³ (.7 trillion cubic feet). The 5 km (1 miles) gathering system draws gas from the Destin pipeline system in Mississippi and various other plants, terminating at the newly constructed compression plant (Station 1) in Coden, Alabama. Station 1 is the sole compressor station for the Gulfstream Natural Gas System. It consists of three compressors two operating, one spare. A total of 7 MW (119,1 HP) was installed, 5 MW 7 (9, HP) are operating. Once compressed to a maximum design pressure of 15 MPa (,1 psi), the gas flows into the offshore pipeline, which consists of approximately 73 km (37 miles) of 91 (3 ) line pipe. The offshore line, designed for stability in a 1-year storm, is concrete weight coated with concrete thicknesses ranging from 7 to 95 (.3 to 3.75 ) and specified densities up to 3,9 kg/m 3 (5 pcf). The line was installed in water depths up to m ( ft) with buckle arrestors installed at 557 m (1,5 ft.) intervals. Once onshore, the gas flows through Station Regulator station and the pressure is regulated from 15 MPa to 1 MPa (,1 psi to 1, psi) (onshore design pressure). The onshore line consists of, 1, 7 and 91 (1,, 3 and 3 ) line pipe and 13 meter stations. LINE PIPE ORDER AWARD In January, Berg Steel Pipe issued a comprehensive quotation to Coastal/ANR for supply of the large diameter pipe requirements for the Gulfstream Project. Berg s proposal was based on utilizing each of Europipe s manufacturing facilities for pipe production and delivering corrosion-coated pipe to Mobile, Alabama and Port Manatee, Florida. Berg received a Letter-of-Intent in March and a firm purchase order in November for production of all large diameter pipe requirements. Iediately after receipt of the purchase order, the pipe production was organized among the Europipe Group Facilities, shown in black and white below: The official purchase of the Gulfstream Natural Gas System by the partnership of Williams/Duke in January 1 resulted in several pipe size and quantity changes. The Europipe group accoodated these late changes and began steel production as early as February 1 just one month after the changes and 3 months after purchase order issuance. Gulfstream large diameter line pipe requirements included the following sizes and quantities: Page of 1

6 Table 1: LINE PIPE PRODUCTION OD Wall Grade Quantity Quantity ft miles tn m t OFFSHORE 3 1,375 X5 5, ,5 X , ,7 X , ,993 X5.33 1, , X7 3.7, , X , SUBTOTAL.33.39, ONSHORE - PHASE I 3 1,5 X7 3.11, ,1 X7 3., ,935 X , ,7 X7.57 5, ,35 X , ,75 X7.1, ,35 X , ,59 X , SUBTOTAL , ONSHORE - PHASE II 3,75 X7 3, ,35 X , ,59 X7.1 11, ,1 X7.1 1, SUBTOTAL , TOTAL , The offshore portion of the Gulfstream Pipeline required the most stringent production and delivery schedule and is the focus of this paper. The majority of the offshore line, % by footage, is 91 x. (3 x. ) X7 followed by 91 x. (3 x. ) X7 at 19%. The remaining 17% of the pipeline is 91 (3 ) heavy wall material. Table : DIMENSIONS AND QUANTITIES FOR THE DIFFERENT MILLS Mill OD Wall Grade Quantity Quantity ft miles tn m t Berg 3, X , , Muelheim 3 1,375 X5 5, ,5 X , ,7 X , ,993 X5.33 1, , X , , X7 17.1, , Dunkerque 3, X , , X , , TOTAL.33.39, Page 5 of 1

7 Just four months after purchase order placement, Mülheim and Dunkerque began pipe production. Berg Pipe began production one month later, in April 1. The offshore portion of the order was organized among the Europipe group facilities as follows: % Production by Tonnage Muelheim Dunkerque Berg Berg % Muelheim 39% Dunkerque 19% ntons 5,, 15, 1, 5, 3 X X5 3 X 1.5 X5 3 X 1.7 X5 3 X.993 X5 3 X. X7 3 X. X7 Item Production of the 3, ntons of 91 x 1 (3 x. ) X7 item was split among the three facilities. Berg Pipe produced 159,3 ntons of 91 x 1 (3 x. ) X7 % of the total offshore tonnage. Mülheim works produced 39% of the offshore tonnage consisting of all of the heavy wall items as well as 19, ntons of 91 x 1 (3 x. ) X7. Dunkerque works produced the remaining 19% of the offshore tonnage 53,55 ntons of 91 x 1 (3 x. ) X7 and 1,131 ntons 91 x (3 x. ) X7. Because of the demanding pipe delivery schedule, a smoothly operating supply chain from slab material to coated pipe was vital to the success of the project. Figure details the suppliers involved in each phase of production: Slab Suppliers Sollac Dillinger Hütte Imexsa Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann Plate Suppliers GTS Dillinger Hütte Mannesmannröhren Pipe Suppliers Europipe Dunkerque Works Europipe Muelheim Works Berg Steel Pipe Pipe Coating Applicators Eupec France Eupec eb Pipe Coating, Inc. Figure : Material flow Ispat Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (Imexsa) in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico provided a small quantity of slabs. All other suppliers involved with the Gulfstream project have organizational ties to Europipe either at the ownership or subsidiary level. Page of 1

8 The pipe production schedule was based on the offshore laying schedule, which began in June 1. When operating in unison, the three pipe laying vessels could lay between to 1 km (5 to miles) per day. Enough concrete coated pipe had to be available to supply the three lay barges continuously. As depicted in the below table and chart, the Europipe Group supplied approximately 715 km ( miles) of pipe in 3 weeks. Table 3: PRODUCTION QUANTITIES AND TIMES, 35, 3, 5, Total Muelheim Berg Dunkerque Week 5 31, 15, 1, 5, Tons Mill Total Production Production Time Maximum Production Feet Miles Tons Weeks Miles/Week Berg 1,35, , Muelheim, , Dunkerque 1, , Total,3, , With all three mills operating on a three-shift basis, the Europipe Group was able to supply a maximum of 7. km ( miles) per week. Mülheim works, with the largest mill capacity, produced up to almost 3 km ( miles) per week. DSAW PIPE MANUFACTURING The Europipe Group produces double-submerged arc welded (DSAW) steel pipe, however, different production processes are used at each facility to achieve the same end product. DSAW Pipe Manufacturing consists of three basic production processes: 1 Forming Welding 3 Finishing The Mülheim and Dunkerque forming process, generally referred to as the U&O method, consists of the following process steps: 1-1 Edge Planing Longitudinal edges of plate are beveled for welding with parallel planers into a double V shape. Page 7 of 1

9 1- Edge Crimping Longitudinal edges of plate are bent in controlled steps over the entire length. 1-3 U-Press Plate is formed into a U-shape by a press in a single step. 1- O-Press Plate is formed into a can by a press in a single step. Berg s forming process, referred to as the three-roll bending process, consists of the following process steps: 1-1 Edge Planing Longitudinal edges of plate are planed to the correct plate width and beveled to create a double V groove. 1- Roll Forming - Plate is formed into a can by three-roll bending. Plate enters sideways between a top roll and two power-driven bottom rolls and is rolled in a controlled number of passes until a can is formed. 1-3 Crimping A hydraulically cushioned top ball and matching hourglass roll crimp the longitudinal edges. Both the U&O and Roll forming methods employ the same basic welding steps: -1 Tack Welding A single wire GMAW process is used full length to secure the plate edges in proper alignment for welding and to provide continuous backing for subsequent inside submerged arc welding. The tack weld is consumed by the subsequent inside and outside submerged arc welding process. - Inside Submerged Arc Welding Achieved in single pass with number of wires as indicated in below table. During inside welding, the welding boom is stationary while the pipe is transported past the welding head. The pipe is positioned with the weld groove in the : position welding head is guided by means of tandem guide wheels along the inside groove. All wires feed into a single arc puddle. Europipe - Mülheim Europipe Dunkerque Berg Steel Pipe Number of Inside SAW 3 Stations Number of Wires used 3-3 Outside Submerged Arc Welding Achieved in single pass with number of wires as indicated in below table. Outside weld penetrates into the inside weld and completely consumes the tack weld. During outside welding, the welding equipment is stationary while the pipe is transported past the welding head. The pipe is positioned with the weld in the 1: position welding head is guided by means of a laser tracking system. Europipe - Mülheim Europipe Dunkerque Berg Steel Pipe Number of Outside SAW Stations Number of Wires used 5 Welding with multiple wires on the inside and outside permits higher travel speeds and reduced heat input. The long molten weld puddle buried under the welding flux allows more time for impurities such as slag and porosity to escape before weld solidification, resulting in a cleaner weld. Page of 1

10 The Europipe facilities have similar finishing processes except for one key factor mechanical expansion. Usually pipe formed by the U & O method undergo expansion to restore the yield strength loss incurred during forming and, additionally, to uniformly shape the pipe. A loss of yield strength occurs during three-roll bending, however, Berg orders plate to a high enough yield strength to counter this loss and achieves a uniform shape through rolling and sizing process steps. The Europipe facilities begin the finishing process with in-process inspection: 3-1 In-Process Inspection Inside and outside welds are visually inspected. Any surface imperfections are ground. Real-time X-ray or Ultrasonic inspection is used along the weld seam to permit early detection of welding anomalies. Mülheim and Dunkerque follow in-process inspection with mechanical expansion: 3- Mechanical Expansion - The inside surface of the pipe is cleaned with a high-pressure water jet to remove loose particles that could damage the pipe surface during expansion. The expansion process is performed using two internal expander heads with the weld positioned in a groove. The pipe is expanded stepwise over the entire length. The maximum percent expansion is 1.5%. Berg follows in-process inspection with sizing: 3- Sizing Opposing hourglass rolls, each made of three independently moving sections, round each pipe at both pipe ends resulting in uniform diameters and roundness. Pipe are transported full length through the rolls to ensure good roundness throughout the full pipe length. After the expansion and sizing steps, the Europipe facilities finishing processes mirror each other: 3-3 End-Facing Bevel and the land are machined at the pipe ends. 3- Non-Destructive Testing Non-destructive testing steps consists of hydrostatic testing, automatic ultrasonic testing of the longitudinal weld seam, radiographic examination of the weld area at each pipe end, ultrasonic inspection of the pipe ends, and final visual inspection. Berg Pipe also offers pipe body ultrasonic inspection and Europipe offers full body wet magnetic particle inspection. 3-5 Stenciling Pipes are marked per customer s specification. Berg Pipe uses a laser stencil machine for pipe marking while Mülheim and Dunkerque employ robotic stencil machines. COMPARISON OF DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENTS EXPANDED VS. NON-EXPANDED LINE PIPE Gulfstream provided a unique opportunity for Europipe facilities to compare end products expanded versus non-expanded material as well as product measured in SI (Metric) units versus product measured in U.S. Customary units. As previously mentioned, each facility produced a certain quantity of 91 x. (3 x. ) X7 line pipe. During production of this material, a comparative dimensional analysis was performed on the line pipe. The study parameters were as follows: One person performed all dimensional measurements involved in the study using the same tools. Twenty pipes were measured at each facility on each pipe end ( and ). Page 9 of 1

11 In this section, the following dimensional measurements will be reviewed: out-of-roundness, inside diameter at pipe ends, radial offset of plate edges and peaking. Out-of-Roundness Measurement Description: Measurement of out-of-roundness within 1 ( ) of pipe ends. Instrument(s): Caliper. Gulfstream Specification Requirement: 1% Maximum Difference in Diameters 3 O.D. = 91. O.D. 1% Max Difference = 9.1 Analysis: The majority of the measurements at each facility were between and 3 (.3%) maximum difference (Figure 3) Berg Steel Pipe Mülheim Works Dunkerque Works Figure 3: Out of Roundness Results Inside Diameter at Pipe Ends Measurement Description: Measurement of inside diameter within 11. ( ) of pipe ends Instrument(s): ID Pi Tape Gulfstream Specification Requirement: +5, -.5 (+1/1, -1/3 ) 3 O.D. x. W.T. = I.D. 73 (3.3 ) I.D. Circumference =,7 (17. ) Tolerance = +5 (,77 ), -.5 (,739.5 ) Analysis: The majority of measurements at each facility were between.7 and.71. The results from Dunkerque works, in particular, were extremely consistent (Figure ). Page 1 of 1

12 Berg Steel Pipe Mülheim Works Dunkerque Works Figure : Pipe Circumference Results Radial Offset of Plate Edges Berg Steel Pipe Mülheim Works Dunkerque Works Figure 5: Offset of Plate Edges results Page 11 of 1

13 Measurement Description: Measurement of offset at plate edges. Instrument(s): Bar with one micrometer on each side of weld. Gulfstream Specification Requirement: >.5 W.T. = Smaller of.15 x W.T. or 3. (1/ ) difference..15 x. =. (.15 ). maximum difference allowed Analysis: The majority of the results from each facility were less than.5 maximum difference at the plate edges, as shown in Figure 5. Peaking Measurement Description: Measurement of peaking at the weld seam. Instrument(s): Peak gauge Gulfstream Specification Requirement: 1. (1/1 ) maximum Analysis: The majority of the results from each facility were between.3 to., as shown in Figure. Berg Steel Pipe Mülheim Works Dunkerque Works Figure : Results of Peaking measurement Page 1 of 1

14 As is apparent by the above comparative analysis, the dimensional measurements were consistent between expanded and non-expanded pipe and pipe measured in SI units versus pipe measured in U.S. Customary units. This fact was proven during offshore pipe laying pipe from each manufacturing facility were intermingled during pipe laying and, even so, Lay Barge, the largest pipe laying vessel used in the project, set a world record during the project welding 7 double-joints (5 single joints) in hours. This record could not have been achieved without dimensionally consistent line pipe. PIPE COATING Eupec Pipe Coatings at Mülheim and Dunkerque and eb Pipe Coating in Panama City, Florida applied the following coatings to the Gulfstream line pipe: External FBE 35 my (1 mils) minimum, my (1 mils) nominal External Roughcoat 7 my (3 mils) minimum Internal Flow Efficiency Coating 3 my (1.5 mils) minimum Because each pipe coating applicator is located adjacent to the pipe manufacturing facility, the process of manufacturing and applying corrosion coating to the pipe is essentially seamless. After coating application, pipes were shipped to the loading destinations. Upon arrival in Theodore, Alabama and Port Manatee, Florida, concrete coating was applied by Bredero Price in thicknesses ranging from. to 95.3 (.3 to 3.75 ). PIPE SHIPMENT & OFFLOADING Corrosion coated pipe were shipped and offloaded as shown in Figure 7: Pipe Suppliers Europipe Dunkerque Works Europipe Muelheim Works Berg Steel Pipe Pipe Coating Applicators Eupec France Eupec eb Pipe Coating, Inc. Pipe Loading Port of Dunkerque Port of Bremen Port of Panama City, FL Pipe Shipment & Offloading Port Manatee, FL Mobile, AL Figure 7: Material Flow of coated Pipes Page 13 of 1

15 Mobile, AL Port Manatee, FL, 15, 1, 5, Port of Bremen (Muelheim) Port of Dunkerque Port of Panama City Shipments from Mülheim were loaded in Port of Bremen while shipments from Dunkerque were loaded in Port of Dunkerque. Shipments from both Ports were shipped to Mobile, Alabama and Port Manatee, Florida. Coated pipe were shipped via ocean going vessels geared with covered hatches. Vacuum cranes, with the ability to load approximately 3 ntons of material at one time, were used to load coated pipe into vessels. The use of vacuum cranes allowed for very precise stacking and storage within the vessel. The average transit time from the European ports to the Gulf of Mexico ports was 1 to 17 days. Shipments from Berg Steel Pipe were loaded in Port of Panama City, Florida and were shipped via open river barges through the Intercoastal Waterway. The barges moved in dedicated tows with two to three barges per tow. All shipments from Berg Steel Pipe for offshore items were shipped to Mobile, Alabama. The average transit time from Panama City, Florida to Mobile, Alabama was days. Upon arrival at Mobile, Alabama and Port Manatee, Florida, coated pipe were offloaded to trucks and shuttled to the stockpile sites. Pipe delivery was completed just 33 weeks after production start as Figure below indicates: 5,, 15, 1, Tons Total - Mob. Berg - Mob. Bremen - Mob. Dunkerque - Mob. Total - Port Man. Bremen - Port Man. Dunkerque - Port Week 5, Figure : Pipe delivery in terms of weeks A total of 399 km ( miles) of pipe was shipped in 1 vessels from Mülheim and Dunkerque to the Gulf of Mexico. The vessels averaged 13 m ( ft.) in length and were capable of hauling up to 5, ntons. The first shipment from Mülheim arrived at Middle Bay Port in Mobile, Alabama on April 15, 1. Shipments from Mülheim and Dunkerque were completed week of August 1, 1. Page 1 of 1

16 A total of 315 km (19 miles) of pipe was shipped in 119 barge loads from Panama City, Florida to Mobile, Alabama. Berg began shipment week of May, 1 and completed delivery week of October 1, 1. The adjacent Figure 9 compares the pipe load-in (delivery) rate of 91 x 1 (3 x. ) X7 shipments from Berg Steel Pipe to the concrete coating production. Ongoing counication between companies ensured adequate pipe supply to permit an uninterrupted concrete coating schedule. Joints Joints 7, 5,5,,5 1, 19,5 1, 1,5 15, 13,5 1, 1,5 9, 7,5,,5 3, 1,5 3 X. X7 Pipe Load In /1 /19 / 5/7 5/1 5/5 /3 /1 /1 /3 7/9 7/1 7/7 /5 /1 /3 9/1 9/1 9/19 9/ 1/7 1/1 1/5 11/3 11/1 11/1 11/3 1/9 1/1 1/7 CWC Production Figure 9: Pipe delivery rate Mill Loading Port Destination Port Transit Time Muelheim Port of Bremen Middle Bay Port, 1-17 Mobile, AL days Port Manatee, FL 15-1 days Type of Vessel Geared Vessels (Avg. ft.) Geared Vessels (Avg. ft.) Number of Shipments Total Tons Shipped Total Miles Shipped 5.5 7, , Dunkerque Port of Dunkerque Middle Bay Port, 15-1 Mobile, AL days Port Manatee, FL 1 to 15 days Geared Vessels (Avg. ft.) Geared Vessels (Avg. ft.) 1 1, ,. Berg Steel Pipe Corp. Port of Panama City, FL Middle Bay Port, Mobile, AL days Open River Barges , OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTION Stolt Offshore Inc. began offshore pipe laying during June 1. Three barges were involved in the offshore pipe lay: 1. Spud Barge Shallow water lay barge used in Mississippi sound in Mississippi and Alabama. Capable of laying up to 1,19 m (. ft.) per day. 15 m (5 ft.) long, 7 work stations, 1 automated UT stall, spuds, 13 workers. Derrick Lay Barge 1 Used in intermediate water depths ( 15 m) ( 5 ft.) in Alabama and Florida state waters. Capable of laying up to 1. km (1 mile) per day. 17 m (351 ft.) long, 7 work stations, 1 automated UT stall, 33 workers Page 15 of 1

17 3. Lay Barge Used in water depths greater than 15 m (5 ft.) Capable of laying between 5 to km (3 to miles) per day. 1 m (55 ft.) long (35 m with stinger) (1. ft. with stinger), 5 fully automated welding stations, 1 automated UT and field joint coating stations, workers. Offshore pipe laying was completed in December and final testing, tie-ins, dewatering and drying was completed by May,. The pipeline went into service on May, approximately 1 months after large diameter pipe production started. CONCLUSION The Gulfstream Pipeline project was a landmark project for the Europipe group. The project provided the first opportunity for each of Europipe s facilities to work in unison on one pipeline project and to compare expanded versus non-expanded pipe products under such uniform conditions. As a group, Europipe successfully managed Gulfstream s demanding pipe supply schedule and rigorous pipe logistics. Page 1 of 1