Drainage Systems on Offshore Platform:

Overview, Open Drain System and Low Point

Drains
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1. About Drainage Systems on Offshore Platform

Offshore platform drainage and waste disposal systems shall be

designed in accordance with API RP 14E Recommended Practice for Design and
Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems and all national, state
and local codes and regulations. The design of all offshore platform drainage and
waste disposal systems shall be subject to approval by Company.

Segregation of wastes, oil recovery sludge disposal, biological and

chemical treating and other disposal problems shall be considered in the design of
the drainage systems. A separate collection system shall be provided to collect,
store and dispose of refined oils drained from equipment.

Open drain systems and closed drain systems shall be completely

independent of one another.
Sizing of sanitary drains shall be based on Uniform Plumbing Code
fixture unit values. The minimum size for any single branch into a header shall be 4
NPS. The minimum size for any header containing the flow of two or more branch
lines shall be 6 NPS. All sanitary drain piping shall slope a minimum of 1/4 per foot
of pipe run.

1. Open Drain System

EPC Contractor shall be responsible for overall design of open drain
systems to ensure that water will drain properly and not stand or pond at any location.
Responsibility includes the design, sizing, layout and quantity of deck drains and
troughs; sizing and routing of drain lines, branches and mains; and locating cleanouts
and flushing tees.
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The minimum size for any single drain line shall be 3 NPS, except that drain
lines less than 8-0 in length may be reduced to 2 NPS. The minimum size for any
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single branch line shall be 4 NPS. The minimum size for any main containing the
flow of two or more branch lines shall be 6 NPS.
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Hydrocarbon open drain systems shall not be installed within enclosed areas
(such as a building) unless the hydrocarbon open drain systems are piped to a safe
area before making the connection to a gravity drain system.
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If necessary, pipe, hubs, and funnels shall be provided to drain oil and
chemicals to suitable drain piping.

Removable bar grating shall be provided on the top of open type drains to
provide access for cleaning. Individual collection drains shall be designed to prevent
small debris and trash from entering the platform drain piping.

Changes in direction on open drain headers shall be made with a 45o lateral
(wye type tee) and a 45o elbow complete with a flushing tee. Drain and branch lines
shall enter open drain headers at a 45o angle from the top or side utilizing a 45o
lateral, and a 45o elbow if needed. Laterals shall be constructed flush with the inside
of the main pipe, i.e. no internal projection.

The ends of all headers shall be terminated with blind flanges to facilitate
cleaning and unplugging.

Liquid seals shall be provided in accordance with the Technical

Requirements, and shall be provided with either a drain valve or a plugged drain
connection. As a minimum, liquid seals shall be provided on each deck drain main
tying into the main drain downcomer, and on branch piping from skids located inside
buildings. Containment curbs shall be provided under all liquid seals.

Spillover (overflow) pipes from vessels and tanks shall discharge into an open
drain splash hub to allow observation that the vessel or tank is being overfilled.

Where specified, EPC Contractor shall provide a drilling drain/wash down

system which shall be completely independent of other open or closed drain systems.
The system shall be provided with cleanouts, flushing tees and/or tie-in points for
jetting of the piping. Access shall be provided to all cleanouts.

2. Low Point Drains

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Drain connections shall be provided at all piping low points. Drain connections
shall be adequately sized to drain the piping within a reasonable period of time under
gravity conditions, i.e. not pressurized. As a minimum, drains shall be 3/4 NPS on
lines 10 NPS and smaller, and 1 NPS on lines 12 NPS and above.EPC Contractor
shall note that P&IDs typically specify only those drains required for process
purposes, and are by no means complete relative to low point drains. The absence of

drain connections on the P&IDs shall not constitute a waiver of the requirement to
provide valved drains at all piping low points.
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Drain connections shall be provided with permanent block valves, including
plugs or blinds, unless specified otherwise by the Technical Requirements.
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Drain connections in services rated at ANSI Class 600 or less shall be

equipped with a single block valve.

Drain connections in services rated at ANSI Class 900 or higher, as well as

services with lower ratings but operating in hazardous areas shall be equipped
withdouble block and bleed valves, if drain is not isolated by two block valves that are
upstream and downstream of connection.
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In liquid services where the liquid is pentane or heavier, with check
valves located in vertical lines, a valved drain shall be installed above the seat of
check valves, i.e. downstream of the valve to allow drainage.
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Drain valves, if practicable, shall be located so that discharge can be
observed.
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Drain valves that are commonly operated shall be piped from the block valve
to a splash hub for observation.

If approved by Company, small drain lines may be disconnected from valves

and the valves plugged when the drain lines are not in service.