Monday, March 20, 2023

022 - Nordstream emergency response plan and yearly check-ups

PREFACE/ISSUE

The purpose of this post is to hint to the issue of planting explosives in June 2022 compared to the more probable time of the week just before the 26/09 when two explosions were recorded. 

The NATO Baltops exercise exercise ended earlier than the yearly scheduled (internal and external) check-up which could possibly expose planted devices.

The post tries to look info procedures and processes involved in these yearly check-ups and whether they could reveal planted explosives.


I. The timing is everything: Baltops vs Yearly maintenance

05 June - 17 June 2022 NATO BALTOPS exercise 

It takes about 10 days to run the pigging tool through the pipeline.
It is inconceivable and risky that explosions would be planted before that date.

There is a risk that the internal and external checks would reveal planted charges.

 This hints to the window of opportunity for planting explosives between the 21 July 2022 and 26th of September 2022. 

Note that the shorter the time before the event the smaller the chance of premature exposure. 

[M: The timing kind of disqualifies BALTOPS for being the timeframe when explosives were planted - post here]

II. Emergency Response strategy and procedures

Nord Stream has established an Emergency Response Plan to deal with potential incidents or accidents, including oil spills, gas leaks, and other types of emergencies. They have also implemented safety systems and procedures to prevent and respond to potential incidents. 

III. Maintenance and the gold standard of certification

Expected lifespan 

Pipeline repairs are not expected to be necessary during Nord Stream’s minimum operational lifespan of 50 years. 

Probability of pipeline failure 

The probability of pipeline failure or leakage is as low as one damage event every 100,000 years. 

 Certification 

Nord Stream is certified to DNV’s F101 offshore pipeline standard.

Having its operation certified yearly to the F101 DNV offshore pipeline standard, Nord Stream is committed to maintaining an ever-improving level of pipeline integrity management.

Development 

Pre-commissioning report 


IV. Nordstream sustainability reports

These reports provide an overview of Nord Stream's sustainability strategy, objectives, and performance indicators, as well as a discussion of key sustainability challenges and opportunities.

Specifically, the reports cover the following areas:
  • Environmental Performance: Nord Stream's efforts to minimize its environmental impact, including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, and manage waste and water use. 
  • Social Responsibility: Nord Stream's commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees, as well as its engagement with local communities and stakeholders. 
  • Governance and Ethics: Nord Stream's governance structure, including its compliance with laws and regulations, and its commitment to ethical business practices.
  • Economic Performance: Nord Stream's contribution to the economy, including its investment in local infrastructure and job creation.

In this post I tested ChatGPT for accessing information - mixed results.


V. Pipeline Integrity Management system (PIMS)

Pipeline Integrity Management System (PIMS) reports cover the measures and activities taken to ensure the safe and reliable operation of oil and gas pipelines. These reports typically include detailed information on the condition of pipelines, the results of inspections and maintenance activities, and any corrective actions taken to address identified risks or issues.

Specifically, PIMS reports may cover the following areas:
  • Pipeline Design and Construction: This includes information on the materials, specifications, and construction methods used to build the pipeline.
  • Pipeline Operation and Maintenance: This covers the day-to-day operation of the pipeline, including monitoring, maintenance, and repair activities.
  • Risk Assessment: This includes the identification and assessment of potential risks to pipeline integrity, such as corrosion, mechanical damage, and third-party interference.
  • Inspection and Testing: This covers the methods and frequency of inspections and testing used to monitor the condition of the pipeline and identify any issues.
  • Emergency Response and Preparedness: This includes information on emergency response plans, procedures, and training to ensure that any incidents are managed effectively.

Overall, PIMS reports provide a comprehensive overview of the measures taken to ensure the safe and reliable operation of oil and gas pipelines, and demonstrate the company's commitment to pipeline safety and environmental protection.




VI. Policies and preparedness for different crisis scenarios

Nordstream has comprehensive failure scenarios contingency plans


Which documents describe that?


Preparedness for the terrorist act scenario



Nordstream has in place comprehensive measures against
the terrorist act scenario




VII: The active and passive protection of Nordstream pipelines

Active and passive protection of Nordstream pipelines


The system of underwater sensors 

[M: Note that Denmark could demand that NS will not put
its detection sensors on its section which is in DK Territorial waters
This could be a vulnerability which was potentially exploited.
Note for example the Russian incursion near Bornholm in June 2022]

The security threat from submarines, mini-submarines and drones


[M: Note Russian intrusion into Danish territorial waters and airspace.]


Systems and sensors for monitoring against submarines and vessels


VIII. Were Russians monitoring its assets in Danish Territorial waters? Did active/passive protection triggered these events?

1 May 2022 - Denmark, Sweden summon Russian ambassadors over spy plane flight 

Authorities from both Denmark and Sweden reported that the Russian plane entered Danish airspace on Friday evening east of the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm then entered Swedish airspace.
 
17 June 2022 - Russian warship violated Danish territorial waters in Baltic, Danish military says

16 June2022 - Russian Ambassador Summoned Following Violation of Danish Airspace: “Inacceptable breach”

The summons is a reaction to Russia’s violation of Danish airspace on 11 June between 11:08 a.m. and 11:42 a.m., during which time two Russian SU-30 fighter planes were observed over Danish airspace near Christiansø Island and Bornholm Island.

1 Sept 2022 - Russian Ambassador Summoned To Denmark After Alleged Airspace Violation

 

IX. Yearly scheduled maintenance check-ups of Nordstream

Updates to Pipeline integrity management system


Regular yearly check-ups


Overview of maintenance and inspection activities


Every year internal and external inspections are conducted


Inline Inspections (ILI) - aka "smart pigs"


ILI inspections are critical part of pipeline maintenance
and safety management typically required by regulatory agencies


Details of the internal  (ILI) external (ROV) checks

Example of 2017 Comprehensive assessment 
(unfortunately the file is no more accessible)


SErvice providers for internal checks (ILI) aka "pigging"


About NDT Global services


Years NDT Global serviced Nordstream


About PII Pipeline Solutions services


Years PII Pipeline Solutions serviced Nordstream


About Rosen Group services


Years T.D. Viliamson provided services to Nordstream


2021: Baker Hughes Inspection Technologies, LLC



X. Timing of yearly scheduled checkups and duration

June 2011: In-line inspection of the first pipeline was conducted.
June 2012: In-line inspection of the second pipeline was conducted.
July 2013: In-line inspection of the first pipeline was conducted.
June 2014: In-line inspection of the second pipeline was conducted.
August 2015: In-line inspection of the first pipeline was conducted.
August 2016: In-line inspection of the second pipeline was conducted.
October 2017: In-line inspection of both pipelines was conducted.
October 2018: In-line inspection of both pipelines was conducted.
October 2019: In-line inspection of both pipelines was conducted.
October 2020: In-line inspection of both pipelines was conducted.
October 2021: In-line inspection of both pipelines was conducted.

 Pipeline 2: 

2011: ROSEN Swiss AG
2012: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2013: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2015: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2017: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2018: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2019: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2020: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2021: Baker Hughes Inspection Technologies, LLC

 Pipeline 2:

2012: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2014: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2016: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2017: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2018: PII Pipeline Solutions
2019: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG
2020: NDT Global GmbH & Co. KG 

[M: Note that the data is incomplete and/or there could be errors in reading those reports. I have tested for this post usage of ChatGPT, mixed results.] 


XII. The 2022 maintenance work

Data could he found here

It is unclear which company has conducted the maintenance work.
The data is published often with 1y delay aka in 2023.


XIII. There is an issue with repairs and sanction - Perfect crime?

"In the unlikely event that repairs are required, Nord Stream has developed an Emergency Pipeline Repair System (EPRS), is a member of the Equinor Pipeline Repair Pool (which grants access to the equipment needed for hyperbaric welding), and has a warehouse filled with replacement pipes. The company is as prepared as it can be." states the official web page

Norway’s Pipeline Repair and Subsea Intervention (PRSI) Pool.

Formed in 1987 by Statoil and Norske Hydro, as a non-profit organization, following a request by Norwegian authorities that a repair system should be available, it’s now managed by Equinor.

It has 20 operator members with nearly 20,000 km of offshore pipeline.

2 Feb 2022 - Equinor: sanctions prevented survey of damaged Nord Stream pipeline


[M: More about sanctions here, more about insurance policies here]

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Important note: 
I experimented with ChatGPT in creating this post
later I found out is is not as reliable. I entered data from similar pipeline projects, links to official posts and other relevant related sources. The data should be crosschecked with Nordstream AG.
I use predominately other official sources like company data or news from respected agencies. This was exception due to lack of data. Therefore screenshots may not be as reliable.

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