A mid-size upstream operator experienced progressively lower flow rates as the result of solids restrictions. Routine pigging procedures were not applicable on the produced water system, as the HDPE product pipe configuration was considered to be unpiggable with conventional methods. This liability reduced the engineering startup flow rates drastically, which initially calculated a rate to move produced water equal to or faster than the production rate. Slower flow rates impeded production and ultimately had a negative reflection for the production asset.

A GoM upstream operator engineered a pre-existing 22” gas pipeline and a pre-existing 8” oil pipeline for common use. This re-engineered scope eliminated CAPEX costs on installing a new pipeline and decommissioning costs on removing the in-service assets by utilizing in-place assets to achieve the new production requirements.