API releases initial standard for safe lay-flat hose operations

The American Petroleum Institute has issued its first safety and environmental protection standard covering lay-flat hoses, high-pressure equipment which upstream operators use to transport associated water from production operations.

Compliance with Recommended Practice 15WT will assure operators and users that they are deploying the equipment in a manner which maintains the lay-flat hose’s integrity while transporting water at consistently high volumes and under high pressures, it said on the 17^th December.

API noted that the new standard includes workplace procedures and protocols aimed at driving safe use of production equipment by calling for users to:

• Conduct thorough risk management evaluations before deploying a lay-flat hose deployment to account for possible environmental impacts

• Avoid operating lay-flat hoses underwater

• Install pressure gauges and alarm systems at water transfer pumps to provide continuous operator feedback and alert personnel of overpressure or abnormal changes in pressure

• Perform pre-job and hydraulic testing

• Prepare a response to mitigate environmental and operational risks associated with spills.

RP 15WT also outlines proper actions for storage and transportation, including retrieval and respooling of lay-flat hoses and actions which need to be taken to protect on-site workers during draining and pigging operations, API indicated.

It said that in addition to RP 15WT, a new product specification for manufacturing lay-flat hose assemblies will be forthcoming. This specification also will include performance requirements for lay-flat hose materials and couplings.

Source: Oil & Gas Journal