Library / Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF OIL AND GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA Code: DPR Guide 0027 – 2021

Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF OIL AND GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA Code: DPR Guide 0027 – 2021

Page 39 of 48

Open the PDF at page 39

 
 
 
 
Applicable to all Oil & Gas Operators  
GUIDELINES FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND 
MAINTENANCE OF OIL AND GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA  
Code: DPR Guide 0027 – 2021 
 
Effective Date: 14th October 2021 
 
This is a property of the Department of Petroleum Resources. All rights reserved  
 
33 
installations shall be visually inspected annually for physical damage or corrosion in the 
splash zone and above. Records of such inspections shall be kept on site and made 
available on demand.  
6.3.4 Gas Pipelines  
The Gas Pipelines shall be operated and maintained in line with internationally recognised 
standards. Additionally, the following shall apply at the minimum: 
i. 
Any gas pipeline that will be inactive for more than six months after 
construction/operation shall be preserved with inert gas or nitrogen.  
ii. 
Where a pipeline will be inactive for more than one year, such pipeline shall be 
pressure tested and certified by officials of the Department of Petroleum 
Resources before being put into use again. 
iii. 
Gas pipeline systems shall be purged with water, air or inert gas before 
undertaking any repairs.  
iv. 
The environment of the repair site for gas pipelines shall be constantly monitored 
with gas detecting device to ensure adequate safety. 
6.3.5 FLR Operation & Maintenance 
The approved operation and maintenance schedules shall be appropriately implemented 
during the operational life span of the FLR systems. Failure to fully implement the 
approved O&M programs shall become an offence punishable under the applicable 
Petroleum Regulations and Act.  
6.3.6 Monitoring of Cathodic Protection Systems 
Cathodic protection facilities shall always be maintained in serviceable condition. The 
following shall be ensured at the minimum: 
i. 
Cathodic protection facilities shall be electrically tested and inspected once a year 
with appropriate corrective measures taken where such inspections reveal any 
weakness in the system.  
ii. 
A report of such inspections shall be lodged with the Department at the 
completion of such exercise.