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MEP-P-ES-002-Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems
MEP-P-ES-002-Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems
No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 1 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
STANDARD SPECIFICATION
FOR
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 2 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1 SCOPE 3
4 DESIGN STANDARDS 4
7 RELIEF VALVES 17
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 3 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
1 SCOPE
This specification defines the minimum requirements for the design, materials selection and
practices for the installation of piping systems.
2.1 The latest editions of the following Standards, Codes and Specifications shall, except
as modified herein, form a part of this Specification:
2.2 If a conflict among the Standards, Codes and Specifications that form a part of this
Specification is discovered, CONTRACTOR shall immediately notify COMPANY in
writing.
2.3 CONTRACTOR shall give due consideration to all the various requirements of the
Responsible Government Authorities, BP Migas and others with respect to piping
design and/or construction. COMPANY will not accept ignorance of these
requirements as cause for delay of work or as basis for a claim against COMPANY.
3.2 For services or sizes where COMPANY piping standards and specifications are not
applicable, CONTRACTOR shall develop appropriate classifications, standards and
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 4 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
3.3 Wall thicknesses for piping outside those covered by COMPANY Material
Specifications shall be calculated using a minimum of 1/8 inch corrosion allowance.
3.4 Due consideration shall be given to pigging requirements for all export pipelines and
flowlines.
3.5 Provisions shall be made for the effects of thermal expansion and contraction in all
piping systems.
4 DESIGN STANDARDS
Lines and valves shall be of an economic size considering the installed cost of piping
and the initial and operating costs of the prime mover, whenever other considerations
such as NPSH, cavitation, erosion, corrosion, change of state, noise, etc., do not
govern line size.
The following nominal pipe sizes (expressed in inches) shall be used: 3/4, 1, 1-1/2, 2,
3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42. Other piping sizes will be considered
by COMPANY only if substantial economies result. Piping leading to or from
equipment connections of sizes different from these sizes shall be a standard size
and have the reducer located as close as possible to the equipment.
Process lines shall not be smaller than one inch diameter, except that 3/4-inch lines
may be used for machinery auxiliary piping, vents, drains, etc.
Connections to any piping, up to and including the last block valve, shall not be
smaller than 3/4-inch.
A minimum of 25% of the total width of all pipeways, bridges and culverts shall be left
unoccupied for the addition of future lines. Where plot plan space has been left
unoccupied for known future equipment additions, the estimated space required for
the future piping shall be added to the above 25% spare capacity.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 5 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
Steel pipe installed underground shall be protected from soil corrosion by external
coating in accordance with COMPANY Specifications MEP-L-ES-003, MEP-L-ES-
004 & MEP-P-ES-007. COMPANY approved high quality coating materials shall be
used whenever buried steel piping must be routed under concrete paving,
foundations, buildings and areas where it will be difficult or impossible to get to the
buried lines for maintenance. Such routings shall be held to an absolute minimum.
Underground lines shall have a minimum depth of cover of 3.28 feet (1000 mm)
TOP. If a buried line crosses an existing underground line, the distance between the
two lines shall be a minimum of 19.68 inches (500 mm).
Screwed fittings are not permitted in buried piping except that screwed galvanized
pipe may be used underground for drinking water, safety showers, etc.
Pipeways
Lines in Trenches
There may be instances (for example, suction lines to reboiler pumps) where small
trenches are required to permit satisfactory operation. Trenches for such purposes
may be used with COMPANY approval, but their number shall be kept to a
minimum. Where such trenches are required, they shall be constructed of reinforced
concrete. Lines shall not rest on trench bottoms.
Trench bottoms shall be sloped and drained. Covers shall be steel plates, suitably
ribbed and coated per MEP-G-ES-008.
Pockets
Pockets and dead ends shall be avoided wherever possible in all piping, particularly
lines conveying water, caustic, acid, materials which may congeal or freeze, in piping
in which a corrosive condensate may form or in piping containing solids which may
settle out. High points in pump suction lines shall be avoided.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 6 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
The spacing of lines in pipeways or trenches shall conform to the table shown on
sheet 51 of MEP-P-ES-001.
The bottom of line shall be a minimum of 12 inches (300 mm BOP) above the high
point of paving or +0.00 ground surface. The bottom of flange shall be a minimum of 4
inches (100 mm) above the surface.
Miscellaneous small piping systems such as pump auxiliary piping, cooling water
piping, steam tracing, seal oil piping, etc., shall be installed such that they do not block
access for removal of pumps, compressors, drivers, exchangers and similar
equipment from their foundations. Such piping also shall be arranged to provide
access to pump couplings from both sides of the pump and to provide access to
bearings, packing and seals without pipe or tubing interference. CONTRACTOR may
propose use of tubing in some services for COMPANY approval.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 7 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
Compressor Piping
All piping at compressors shall be above grade. Suction piping shall be installed
overhead, without low spots, and shall be sloped back to the knockout drum from the
compressor. Locating the knockout drum as close to the compressor as possible
should minimize the length of suction piping.
It is desirable that suction line valves be installed such that condensate cannot collect
against the valves if a compressor is removed from service in an operating plant.
Drainage of condensate from inter and after coolers shall be away from the
compressors and toward the knockout drums.
Welded Joints
Welded joints shall be made in accordance with ANSI B-31.3, Specification MEP-P-
ES-003 where applicable, and the following:
(a) All lines 2 inches and larger, except galvanized piping, shall be butt welded per
Specification MEP-P-ES-003.
(c) Branch connections shall be made in accordance with Branch Charts shown on
sheets 2 to 14 of MEP-P-ES-001, except that hot tap branch connections shall
be designed on an individual basis utilizing sput tees or weld-o-lets. Where
possible, the use of stub-ins for hot tap connections should be avoided.
Welded joints for pipeline systems shall be in accordance with the requirements
defined in ANSI B31.4 or B31.8 and MEP-P-ES-008, and MEP-L-ES-006.
Flanged Joints
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 8 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
c) When bolting to cast iron flanges, the mating steel flange shall have a flat face
and the gasket shall be a full face type.
Screwed Connections
Care shall be taken during welding of unions and socked weld valves to avoid
damage to seats by arcing between mating surfaces.
CONTRACTOR shall provide plot limit manifolds at the locations where plant
pipeways leave the plot limit. Piping, valves and other facilities shall be arranged to
allow all valves to be operated from a single walkway and all blinds to be turned
without leaving a proper guardrail protected support surface.
All overhead lines entering or leaving the process plant shall be on the overhead plant
pipeways at the plot. In an integrated process plant area, consideration may be given
to the elimination of the plot limit valve at one plant when a line runs between
identifiable units within the same plant with no other connection to the line between
the plants.
Underground piping need not cross the plot limit at the plot limit manifold.
Plot limit valves and blinds shall be staggered to avoid interference when operating
valves or when changing blinds. Plot limit block valves shall be made accessible for
operation and maintenance by means of elevated platforms, with stairways, suitably
arranged for such work to be done without need for personnel to leave platforms.
Blinding flanges or weld-end line blinds shall be provided at all plot limit block valves
except fresh water and air. If any piping is too stiff to permit inserting a plate blind,
spectacle blinds shall be installed as needed.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 9 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
Relief headers which tie into a relief system for more than one plant shall be provided
with a steel block valve mounted on its side, upstream spectacle blind and drain
connection at the plot limit. The block valve shall be a gate valve or slide plate valve
provided with a lock open device. Slide plate valves are normally satisfactory for
relief lines but COMPANY must approve CONTRACTOR's selection.
A plot limit block valve in a valve box shall be installed in every underground line
where it enters or leaves the plot limit except drainage lines.
CONTRACTOR shall prepare a plot limit manifold diagram for early COMPANY
approval. This diagram shall show all major and minor lines, as well as all drain,
blowdown, flush, and vent connections, valves and auxiliary piping with an indication
of the source and final disposition of all fluid streams. CONTRACTOR shall also
submit plot limit layout drawings to COMPANY for approval.
4.8 Supports
CONTRACTOR shall install shoes on all insulated lines 2 inches in diameter and
larger at all supports. Shoes shall be 4 inches in height and have holes for
installation of insulation wire or bands, as required. Clamp-on shoes may be used
for stress relieved piping systems to avoid additional stress relief requirements.
CONTRACTOR must verify the suitability of shoe design on alloy piping to avoid
severe thermal expansion problems leading to fatigue cracks.
Large diameter, thin wall uninsulated pipe will require wear plates to distribute the
load. Any reciprocating compressor suction or discharge header shall have wear
plates where it rests on supports.
If a line turns out of a pipeway and needs support at the next stanchion, COMPANY
prefers that this be accomplished by welding a smaller size pipe extension to the
outside of the elbow to form a dummy leg.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 10 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
Piping sections requiring frequent dismantling for maintenance, such as for cleaning
or for the insertion of blinds, shall be provided with permanent supports.
5.1 Valves
Valve Sizes
Access to Valves
CONTRACTOR shall locate all on-plot and off-plot operational valves (including
that located underground) such that they are readily accessible from grade,
permanent walkways or platforms. Exceptions are to be made only on written,
prior approval of COMPANY.
Valves located with respect to low walkways shall have their layouts submitted
for COMPANY approval.
Access to small block valves for gauge glasses, pressure gauges, level
controls, and orifice taps may be by COMPANY approved CONTRACTOR's
Standard.
Valves shall not be installed with stems pointing down unless specifically
approved by COMPANY. All operational valves in buried lines shall be
provided with a steel covered valve pit suitable for access and maintenance of
the valve.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 11 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
Valve Actuators
Block valves shall be provided close to column, vessel and tank connections to
provide shutoff in emergencies. They must therefore be located where access
is easy from grade. Where lines from such connections run to pumps or other
valved equipment located near (within 35 feet measured along the pipe) the
column or vessels, the valves at such equipment fulfill this requirement except
for LPG service. Arrangement of block valves at spared equipment that is to
be isolated for maintenance and at vent, drain and sample connections shall
conform to the following:
a) In process services, single block valves shall be used for all pressure-
temperature ratings up to and including 600-lb ANSI.
b) In services of higher ratings, double block valves and bleed valve shall
be required.
c) With welded-in 600-lb ANSI rating or higher steam valves double block
and bleed shall be used.
At air cooled exchangers with multiple induced draft fans, sectionalizing valves
shall be provided to allow fan maintenance work if air temperatures at unit with
fan out of service could rise above 60oC.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 12 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
A 1-inch by-pass valve shall be provided around 6-inch and larger gate valves
if the pressure across the valve can exceed 600 psi, to facilitate opening of the
larger valve.
Control Valves
Control valves shall be installed with stem vertically upward unless COMPANY
approves other orientation.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 13 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
below the valve to remove the plug, and above the valve to permit removal of
the diaphragm operator, even if the bypass is insulated or steam-traced and
insulated. Exceptions may be made after obtaining COMPANY's approval
when this design would cause excessively high bypass valve location.
5.2 Blinds
Flanged joints shall be provided with blinds adjoining all equipment that will be
worked on or entered. Spectacle blinds, in general, shall be provided on sizes
up to 12". Above 12", paddle blinds & spacers shall be used.
Jackscrews shall be provided for all blinds & spacers where there is insufficient
flexibility for changing the blind without damage to the gaskets. Blinds and
spacers at RTJ flanges require considerably more line movement and
jackscrews shall be provided for easy maintenance.
Temporary conical suction screens shall be provided for all pumps for startup.
Temporary suction screens shall be provided for all compressors for use during
start-up.
COMPANY desires that lines be arranged to minimize the need for vents and
drains. This applies particularly to high pressure systems because of the
susceptibility to mechanical damage and increased risk of leakage presented
by small valved connections in these services.
Vent and drain connections shall not be less than 3/4 inch and shall be as
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 14 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
All vents and drains, as well as any other "open-ended" connections (such as
sample connections), shall be provided with threaded hex head plugs, blind
flanges, or spectacle blinds whichever is required. In socket-weld services,
threaded hex head plugs are still required, the drain valve being socket weld
one end and screwed other end.
Vents and drains that are used during the normal plant operation shall be piped
as follows:
a) Water not containing H2S or LPG and all sample station drains shall go
to a catch basin or raised hub of the oily water drainage system arranged
so that the discharge ends are 2 inches above the drainage inlet and
visible from the location of the drain valve.
b) Light hydrocarbon vents and drains containing LPG, gases; H2S or other
hazardous materials shall be piped to the relief system.
Vents
Such locations shall have separate vents installed if no lines used for other
purposes are available to serve as vents. Equipment normally requiring vents
are pumps, compressors and occasionally, exchangers. Vent valves shall be
piped so that they may be operated from normal operation platforms. Such
piping shall be of minimum length.
Valved vents shall be provided at discharge pipe of pumps, between pump and
check valve. If configuration of pump case and discharge nozzle are such that
the vent on the discharge pipe will not vent the entire case, and in the case of
multi-stage pumps, separate vents shall be provided on the pump case. When
normal vent is piped to a closed system, a separate atmospheric vent shall also
be provided.
Vent valves shall be provided at the high points of all vessels and piping for
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 15 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
hydrostatic testing.
Drains
b) On columns, heaters, treaters, vessels, and both shell and tube sides of
heat exchangers. Install a drain inside block valves on exchangers to
obtain complete drainage of piping.
d) Between the upstream block valve and the control valve on all "fail-open"
control valve stations.
e) Between the upstream block valve and control valve and between the
downstream block valve and control valve on all "fail closed" control valve
stations.
Drains for removal of water from hydrocarbon during operation shall be piped
to a degasser before dropping to the drains if the hydrocarbon vapor pressure
would permit any significant hydrocarbon vapor evolution. If the water is
drained directly to the atmosphere, spring loaded valves shall be provided.
This valve is required in addition to any other valve requirement that may
apply. These valves shall be located so that the operator can see the gauge
glass while holding the spring loaded valve open and throttling the block valves
upstream of the spring loaded valve.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 16 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
a) Vents, drains, PI connections, etc., may suffice for samples not taken on
a regular schedule at locations approved by COMPANY.
Sample drains shall be disposed of in the same manner as outlined for other
drains in this standard.
Sample coolers are required if the stock is over 60oC. For LPG, refrigerated
coolers are required. Sample stations equipped with coolers shall be arranged
to circulate the stream being sampled.
Pumpout System
Means shall be provided for removing the operating liquid contents from all
columns, tanks, vessels, heat exchangers, furnaces and connected piping.
Process lines and pumps shall be used for this purpose. COMPANY's intent is
to minimize the amount of process liquid drained to the open drain system. As
a second step, frequent water displacement to the relief drum will satisfy this
requirement.
Nitrogen shall be used to displace air in all hydrocarbon and hydrogen systems
where steam out is not acceptable or available. Appropriate headers and
removable spools shall be provided to inject nitrogen in locations required to
remove the air.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 17 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
It is desirable to use one connection for more than one of the requirements for
vent, drain, pumpout, nitrogen purge, water wash and steamout. However,
accessibility and utility considerations are overriding.
Pig Launchers and Receivers shall be provided for all export pipelines, unless
specifically excluded in COMPANY Scope of Work.
Pig Launchers and Receivers shall be fitted with quick opening closures and all
pressure containing components shall equal or exceed the pipeline pressure
rating. All Pig Launchers and Receivers shall be provided with concrete pads
designed to contain, and allow retrieval of, spilled pipeline products.
Pig Launchers and Receivers shall be fitted with vents, drains, thermal relief
valves and pressure gauges. Generally pig detectors will be on the pipeline at
the Launcher end, and on the Receiver body at the Receiver end.
7 RELIEF VALVES
Relief valves shall be provided for all operating equipment to meet the limiting
relief requirements as defined by API Recommended Practice 520 and to meet
any governmental or local regulations. Relief valve selection shall compensate
for rise in downstream pressure in the relief system caused by the
simultaneous relief of other equipment under the same or a related emergency
condition.
All relief valves shall be set, tested and tagged by CONTRACTOR before
installation. CONTRACTOR shall test all relief valves to the required set
pressure, locally under COMPANY and Migas witness prior to installation.
CONTRACTOR shall familiarize himself with the documentation requirements
for relief valves submitted for testing. Obtaining Migas certification is the
CONTRACTORs responsibility.
Bypasses around relief valves shall be provided to vent the equipment or
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 18 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
system. Bypass valves shall be the same size as the relief valve inlet
connection, with 2-inch size as a maximum. Bypass valves shall be flanged, or
blinding flanges shall be provided on the equipment side of bypass valve.
Bypass valves shall be installed in a horizontal run of piping and at the same or
higher elevation as the downstream vent line to preclude trapping stock in the
system. Generally, by-pass valves shall be ball valves.
Relief valves shall be provided with isolating, full port, valves upstream and
downstream to allow for maintenance. Gate type valves shall be installed on
their side to ensure the valve gate never falls into the closed position.
Means shall be provided for locking isolating valves in open or closed position.
On screwed relief valves, suitable break out flanges shall be provided between
the relief valve and its isolation valves to facilitate relief valve removal.
Minimum body size for thermal relief valves shall be 3/4 inch inlet by 1 inch
outlet.
Thermal relief valves shall be provided to allow for thermal relief of all piping
systems, flowlines and pipelines that may be subject to fluid thermal expansion
when shut-in.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering
Doc. No : MEP-P-ES-002
STANDARD DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
FOR PIPING SYSTEMS Rev 0 page 19 of 19
Rev Date : 25 July 2005
c) Teflon tape shall not be used as thread sealant for screwed connections
because of shredding and plugging problems.
d) Spiral wound gaskets and butt welded pipe joints shall be used to facilitate
initial cleanup of lube oil piping.
b) Corrosion Fitting locations shall be selected such that the coupon or probe
does not interfere with pigging operations.
c) Coupon holders and probes shall be selected such that the coupon can be
inserted to a depth which will be representative of the corrosion occurring in
the pipe.
e) Retractor tools and Service valves shall be provided with the corrosion
monitoring probes, unless specifically excluded in the COMPANY Scope of
Work.
MEP-P-ES-002, Standard Design Requirements For Piping Systems, rev 0, 25 July 2005
Custodian: Surface Engineering