OPERATIONS BRIEFING

For

Onshore Spoolbase Fabrication

Pipeline Technique Ltd Ref: OSSB-001 Created: December 2006

Page 1 of 4

Ref: OSSB-001 Rev 1

This document has been produced with the intention to show how the process of Spoolbase Fabrication takes place. The facility and equipment shown was originally mobilised to cater for Helix Energy Solutions (ESG) 2006 Reeled Pipelines 2006 Campaign. The facility was located at the port of Hartlepool in the UK, and was initially in production during the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006.

1. On completion and acceptance of the pipe joint inspection, the pipe is relocated along the ready racks into the production line front end for preparation and inclusion into the pipe stalk production line. 2. Factory bevelled pipes will be cleaned using a powered wire brush or re-bevelled to comply with the project WPS. Square cut end supplied pipe will be bevelled in accordance with the approved WPS. If any bevel is considered outside of the acceptable limits after inspection it will be re-bevelled in accordance with the approved WPS. 3. In some cases, a factory supplied bevel could be considered damaged beyond effective repair. The pipe joint would be removed from the ready rack and therefore not inserted into the production line. 4. The QC Discipline Inspector shall verify the following prior to releasing the joint into the production line. The pipe bevels are in accordance with the approved project WPS. Identify the joints unique identification number and record acceptance of the joint into the PTS Mainline Welding Inspection Report (MWSR).

5. All mainline production welding activities take place on the Spoolbase production line under the control of the Welding Foreman in cooperation with the QC Supervisor and QC Discipline Inspector to ensure that WPS requirements are adhered to.

Page 2 of 4

Ref: OSSB-001 Rev 1

6.

Mainline production welding verification activities include: Welding consumables type, batch/lot number and size Pipe alignment, fit-up and clamping Minimum preheat All welding passes

7.

During mainline production welding the QC Discipline Inspector shall carry out the inspections in accordance with the project ITP to ensure the requirements of the approved project WPS are adhered to. Typical inspection activities are as follows: Alignment fit up and clamping Preheat and inter-pass temperatures (and gas purge level where applicable in the range of the approved WPS) Travel speed and heat input Verification of welder identity number, stalk/weld number, WPS number, pipe joint number On completion of the first (root bead) pass and the initial check by the welder(s), visually inspect the partially completed joint. Any remedial work identified at this point shall be immediately re-worked by the welder(s) per preapproved procedures and shall be re-inspected Following acceptance of first pass welding, prior to and during subsequent welding monitor inter-pass temperature On completion of the welded joint and the initial check by the welder(s), visually inspect the completed joint The initial check, visual inspection and any required remedial work identified at this point must be completed whilst the joint remains above the minimum pre-heat temperature of the accepted WPS QC Discipline inspector shall complete the information on the MWSR in accordance with the ITP.

8.

The PTL or QC Discipline Inspector shall carry out a welding audit on the production line. The frequency of the audit shall be stipulated in the ITP, but as minimum it shall be carried out at least once during each shift verifying detail on the MWSR.

Page 3 of 4

Ref: OSSB-001 Rev 1

9.

All mainline production welds shall be subjected to 100% on line NDE in accordance wit the approved project supplied procedures.

10. All NDE reports shall be signed and approved by the evaluating NDE Technician and PTL or QC NDE representative. At the end of each shift the original NDE documentation for the production shift shall be submitted by the NDE supervisor to the Spoolbase QC Supervisor for review. 11. Field Joint Coating sub-contractor activities shall be carried out in accordance with approved project procedures. Field Joint Coating Supervisor shall report to the Spoolbase Assistant Manager / Superintendent. 12. If required by the project, Pipe stalks will be marked with paint at each weld location using 2 high stencils. The relevant stalk number and weld number will be marked on the pipe at 2 locations 180 degrees apart on each side of the joint. Numbers will be marked prior to completion of field joint coating. Any sacrificial or non-permanent pipe strings (i.e. straightening trial, Lead & Tail Strings) shall be uncoated. These pipe sections will not be included as part of the permanent pipeline.

13. The completed pipe string (stalk) will then be lifted from the outbound rollers, to the stalk rack to await Vessel Mobilisation.

Page 4 of 4