Integrity Management and Life Extension for a CALM Buoy Oil Export Terminal

Abstract

This paper applies state-of-the-art integrity management and life extension methodologies to address degradation and failure modes specific to CALM buoy export terminals. The main objectives are to (1) classify the components of the export terminal according to their criticality, (2) establish risk-based inspection and maintenance plans to reduce or mitigate risk to acceptable levels and (3) assess remaining life. The method is applied to a CALM buoy operating off the coast of Colombia. This buoy serves as the oil export terminal for all crude oil transmitted by the Ocensa pipeline, which has a capacity of 560 kBPD or around 60% of total Colombia oil production. The buoy is nearing the end of its design life, and options for life extension have been investigated based on an integrity assessment of the current condition of the equipment. As part of the assessment, detailed plans for future Risk Based Inspections (RBI) and Mitigation, Intervention, and Repair (MIR) have been developed.