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Overview of Gulf of Mexico OCS Oil and Gas Pipelines


Quiz Questions

1. The ability to transport produced hydrocarbons has always been an important factor in the successful development of an oil or natural gas field, both onshore and offshore.
True
False
2. GOM in this course is an acronym to _______________________.
Gulf of Mexico
Gas production of Mexico
3. The current extent of oil pipeline infrastructure in the GOM is shown on Figure 1. As of June 2001, there were approximately 44,218 km (27,569 mi) of pipeline on the seafloor of the GOM.
True
False
4. Trunk lines are typically shorter segments of small-diameter pipelines that transport materials from one or more wells to a production facility.
True
False
5. A ____________ may carry production from many wells and from several hydrocarbon fields, leases, or blocks.
Trunk line
Gathering line
6. FERC is not an acronym for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
True
False
7. The traditional method for installing offshore pipelines in relatively shallow water is commonly referred to as the S-lay method because the profile of the pipe as it moves in a horizontal plane from the welding and inspection stations on the lay barge across the stern of the lay barge and on to the ocean floor forms an elongated “S”.
True
False
8. The purpose of a stinger is to minimize curvature, and therefore the bending stress, of the pipe as it leaves the vessel.
True
False
9. The J-lay method is inherently faster than the S-lay method and is, therefore, cheaper than the S-lay method.
True
False
10. Reel barges are currently divided into two classes — horizontal reel and vertical reel. For a horizontal reel, the axis of rotation is vertical with respect to the barge deck. For a vertical reel, the axis of rotation is horizontal.
True
False
11. The term “dynamically positioned” means that the location or position of the pipeline installation vessel (lay barge) is maintained through anchors, associated anchor chains, and/or cables.
True
False
12. Potential emissions are one of the most significant differences between a dynamically positioned lay barge and a conventionally moored lay barge.
True
False
13. Jetting sleds are mounted with ________________ water jets and pulled along the seafloor behind the pipe laying barge. The water jets are directed downward to dig a trench; the sled guides the pipeline into the trench.
Low-pressure
High-pressure
14. Compared with deep-water pipelines, pipelines located in shallow water endure colder water and sediment temperatures.
True
False
15. There are three major categories of insulation systems: pipe-in-pipe systems, integrated towed flow line bundles, and non-jacketed systems. The design of all of these systems seeks a balance between the high cost of the insulation, the intended operability of the system, and the acceptable risk level.
True
False
16. ______________ is a term used to describe a mechanical method of displacing a liquid in a pipeline.
Paraffin
Pigging
17. At atmospheric pressure, paraffin is typically a semi-solid at temperatures above about 150°F and will solidify at about 100°F.
True
False
18. One technique for extending the life of a gas pipeline is to coat the inside of the pipe periodically with a corrosion-inhibiting substance (CIS). The coating may be applied as either an aerosol pumped in with the production stream or as a liquid “slug” pushed through the pipe with a pig. The slug treatment provides greater protection.
True
False
19. Pipeline installation does not have the potential to cause adverse physical impact to prehistoric and/or historic archaeological resources.
True
False
20. In the shallower waters of the shelf (less than 200 m [656 ft]), pipelines may present an obstruction to commercial fishing where bottom trawling nets are used; this is one reason that pipelines must be buried in waters less than 200 ft.
True
False