Terminal Piping Inspection— Inspection of In-Service Terminal Piping Systems

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2611 FIRST EDITION, JUNE 2011

Terminal Piping Inspection— Inspection of In-Service Terminal Piping Systems

Downstream Segment

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2611 FIRST EDITION, JUNE 2011

Special Notes

API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.

API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

Classified areas may vary depending on the location, conditions, equipment, and substances involved in any given situation. Users of this RP should consult with the appropriate authorities having jurisdiction.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Services, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright © 2011 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

This Standard is intended to provide guidance to terminal personnel for the inspection and repair of existing metallic piping systems at terminal facilities. This Standard is based largely on accepted industry practice for the inspection and repair of terminal piping.

It is the intent of the American Petroleum Institute (API) to keep this publication up-to-date. All terminal piping system Owner/Users are invited to report their experiences in the inspection and repair of piping systems whenever such experiences may suggest a need for revising or expanding the practices set forth in API 2611.

This edition of API 2611 is the first edition. Each edition, revision, or addenda to this API Standard may be used beginning with the date of issuance shown on the cover page for that edition, revision, or addenda.

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the specification.

Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the specification.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005, standards@api.org.

iii

Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

   1. General 1

   2. General Application 1

   3. Specific Applications 3

2. Normative References 4

3. Terms, Acronyms, and Definitions 5

   1. Definitions 5

   2. Terms and Acronyms 10

4. Owner/User Inspection Organization 11

   1. General 11

   2. Authorized Piping Inspector Responsibilities 11

5. Inspection of Piping 12

   1. General 12

   2. General Principles 12

   3. Preparation for Inspection 13

   4. Inspection for Specific Types of Corrosion and Cracking 13

   5. Methods of Inspection 17

6. Frequency and Extent of Inspection of Above Ground Piping 21

   1. General 21

   2. Additional Requirements for Insulated Piping Systems 22

7. Frequency and Extent of Inspection of Below Ground Piping 22

   1. Inspection Protocols 22

   2. Leak Detection Systems 23

   3. Cathodic Protection for External Corrosion Control 23

   4. Indirect (Overline) Surveys for External Corrosion Control 24

   5. Below Ground Inspection Intervals 25

   6. Leak Testing Intervals 27

   7. Inspection Data Evaluation. 27

8. Repairs To Piping Systems 27

   1. Repairs to Coatings 27

   2. Clamp Repairs 28

   3. Welded Repairs 28

   4. Records 28

9. Marine Facilities Inspection/Frequency 28

   1. Extent of Inspection/Frequency 28

   2. Transfer Hoses 28

   3. Metallic Transfer Arms Visual Inspection 28

   4. Piping and Piping Components Visual Inspection 29

   5. U.S. Jurisdiction 29

Annex A (normative) Inspector Qualifications 30

Annex B (informative) Summary of Cited Inspections 33

Annex C (informative) Guidance on Pipe Wall Retirement Thickness. 34

Annex D (informative) Sample External Inspection Checklist for Process Piping 35

v

Contents

Page

Annex E (informative) Sample Inspection Checklists for Above Ground Piping 36

Bibliography 41

Figures

1 Schematic of Piping Systems for Hydrocarbons and Similar Flammable, Combustible,

or Toxic Fluid Services 2

Tables

1. Deadleg Guidance 14

2. Inspection Location Based on Corrosion Rates 18

1. Frequency of External Inspection for Buried Pipe 26

2. Recommended Corrosion Testing Protocols for Buried Pipe 26

vi

Terminal Piping Inspection—Inspection of In-Service Terminal Piping Systems

1. Scope

   
   

   1. General

      
      

      API 2611 covers the inspection of typical terminal piping systems within terminal boundaries, which includes off-plot piping. Off-plot piping includes, but is not limited to piping between facilities, piping that comes from or goes to a refinery, or other type facility, or piping that may cross a road, ditch or other property outside the confines of a terminal facility.

      
      

      Piping for transportation of finished fuel products such as gasoline, diesel, lubricating oils, jet fuel and aviation fuel are covered by the scope of this document. Also covered are piping systems for nonfuel-type fluids. The piping for other terminal nonfuel-type fluids typically found in terminals, include asphaltic products, process water, transmix, slop water and biofuels.

      
      

      The scope of this document does not include piping in a refinery facility, sanitary waste piping, cast iron piping and nonmetallic gravity flow piping systems.

      
      

   2. General Application

The purpose of this document is to align current terminal piping inspection practices with the appropriate and applicable elements of API 570. API 2611 covers the inspection of existing terminal piping systems. Figure 1 illustrates typical piping configurations that are encountered at terminals. In addition, the figure indicates possible delineation of United States Department of Transportation [USDOT] (i.e. ASME B31.4/API 1104, Breakout) and non- USDOT (i.e. ASME B31.3, Storage) facilities. Understanding the Codes to which facilities were constructed can facilitate the evaluation of the piping systems. Minor repairs include the restoration or replacement of piping systems to a safe operating condition. Where local or federal regulations apply, more stringent requirements may be applicable.

Terminal management may choose to comply with the requirements of other piping inspection standards, when appropriate. An example of this might be a terminal located within or adjacent to a refinery where there are already piping inspection programs governed by other standards such as API 570 or company specific programs or when specifically required by regulation.

API 2611 incorporates industry accepted practice for terminals as well as selected principles from API 570. This document addresses the piping and associated failure modes commonly found in terminals with piping systems operating at a maximum process design pressure of 300 psi at ambient temperature (an exception on design temperatures is made for asphaltic products). If any repair or alteration results in a change of design conditions, a rerating per API 570 shall be satisfied. For asphaltic products this document covers the maximum process design pressure of 150 psi at a temperature range of 25 °F to 450 °F (–3.9 °C to 232 °C).

In general, with regard to non-regulated off-plot piping, the terminal Owner/User may elect to base their inspection requirements on API 2611, the more stringent API 570 requirements, a combination of the two, or a combination of selected requirements from API 2611 and API 570 in conjunction with their own set of requirements. Regardless of the source, the Owner/User shall have inspection procedures established, documented and adhered to for their terminal facilities.

With the advent of new products, including the use of various oxygenated fuels; special consideration shall be given to the compatibility of the piping system. Of particular interest are seal materials, gaskets, and other elastomers with additives and oxygenates, such as ethanol or methanol. In addition, consideration shall be given to the possibility of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) agents. Additional information can be found on the topic of SCC in API 939-D.

1