Bombax Pipeline Project Overview
Authors: Adams G.P. , Grass G.D. , Gilmore J.A. 
Published: October 2008

BP's transportation capacity from the East coast of Trinidad and Tobago must be expanded to accommodate increases in gas supplies to Atlantic LNG and Point Lisas industrial estate, driven by the development of ALNG Trains 2 and 3. The Bombax Pipeline Project is part of an integrated initiative to develop BP's gas resources. These projects include the Bombax Pipeline Project and Kapok gas field development.

The Bombax Pipeline Project includes 63 km of 48-inch offshore pipeline from a new platform hub, Cassia B, adjacent to the existing Cassia 'A' platform, to a landfall at Rustville, on the East Coast of Trinidad. From the landfall, the pipeline extends 1.8 km onshore to the existing Beachfield slug catcher and production facility for onward transportation to the ALNG facility on the west coast of Trinidad and Tobago. This pipeline forms the initial link of a BP's gas transportation system, and is a loop of the existing 40-inch pipeline system. Additional gas production will be supported by a new wellhead platform located at the Kapok field, linked to the Cassia 'B' production hub by a 26-inch multi-phase pipeline. A 400-ton subsea manifold at Cassia B provides subsea safety systems and interconnection between pipeline systems.

This paper outlines the decision making process in selecting a 48-inch pipeline looped gas system and challenges of project execution.,

Introduction

In response to the increasing demand for energy in the form of natural gas, ALNG is expanding its LNG facilities. In reflection of this growth, BP Trinidad and Tobago developed a program for the expansion of its offshore fields and gas transportation system to supply new LNG trains.

Gas transportation requirements are expected to continue to increase with the installation of additional LNG facilities at Point Fortin and other market growth at the Point Lisas industrial estate. By understanding the infrastructure requirements to meet the "future state" gas demand, the steps or phases in expanding the infrastructure to meet intermediate increases in island gas demand can be optimized. The current phase of infrastructure expansion will satisfy gas transportation requirements for ALNG Trains 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 1Location Map for Trinidad and Tobago(AVAILABLE IN FULL PAPER)

Current Transportation System.

The existing BP operated offshore pipeline infrastructure consists of the 40- inch, 101 km pipeline from the Mahogany platform to Beachfield. The pipeline transports gas from fields off the east coast of Trinidad to Beachfield for delivery to the NGC pipeline system and to the ALNG plant at Point Fortin via the 36-inch onshore pipeline between Beachfield and Point Fortin. The line is designed for a maximum pressure of 1440 psig. Liquids, which condense in the offshore line, are recovered through normal operation and pigging at Beachfield for processing at BP's Galeota Point facilities.

The existing BP operated onshore infrastructure consists of the 36-inch, 78 km pipeline from Beachfield to the ALNG facility at Point Fortin. Liquids, which condense in the onshore line, are recovered at the ALNG facility through normal operation and pigging of the onshore line.