The selection of a prover setup for an oil and gas pipeline system may consider reliability, accuracy, and equipment footprint. Kleinfelder provided process engineering, mechanical/piping design, electrical engineering services, structural engineering, geotechnical services, and civil engineering, as well as cold working pressure (CWP) and drawing package creation for a client’s switch to compact provers.

Updating Aging Infrastructure

The existing conventional ball provers used at various U.S. locations of the client’s pipelines were at end-of-life. As part of the client’s measurement prover replacement program, new compact provers were installed at various stations along the pipeline, replacing the existing aging ball provers to allow operators the flexibility to prove meters more efficiently. Additionally, with the installation of the compact provers, modifications were required to meet API standard installation practices (API Manuals MPMS Chapters 4.8, 5.3, 5.8, and 6.6). Modifications included installing flow conditioners and appropriate instrumentation at some facilities. The prover program affected more than 25 sites across the continental U.S.

New Compact Prover Program

Kleinfelder utilized site 3D scanning, along with 3D piping models, to assist in the evaluation and design of individual sites, thereby eliminating site assumptions and decreasing field exposure. With this data, Kleinfelder prepared the scope of work and created animated augmented reality walk-downs. Geotechnical investigations were incorporated into the planning stage, and included natural moisture content, percentage fines, Atterberg limits, and corrosion potential testing. Results were used to create site-specific foundation details in the overall design plans.

After these careful planning items were complete, Kleinfelder’s team of professionals then assessed the process, mechanical, instrumentation, electrical, and structural design for each new compact prover site, creating corresponding bills of materials (BOM) and installation construction scopes of work.

During the bid and construction phases, Kleinfelder provided support and trained the client’s staff on new procedures.

Project Results

With more than 20 project sites complete to date out of a total of 100 sites, Kleinfelder has proven to be a trusted partner, effectively executing multiple sites across the U.S. simultaneously. As the client’s sole-sourced engineering partner, Kleinfelder continues to evaluate its processes and improve efficiencies for the client where possible over the remaining sites.

Project Details

Location:
U.S.
Owner:
Confidential