Tieling-Dalian Pipeline System Renovation

Historic Project: Groundbreaking Work From Earlier in Fluor’s History

Client: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Petroleum

Location: Liaoning Province, China

Industry: Fuels

Map showing the location of Tieling-Dalian Pipeline System Renovation

Executive Summary

In the 1980s, Fluor was awarded preliminary design and subsequent detailed design for the renovation of one of the most important crude oil transportation links in the People's Republic of China. The Tieling-Dalian Pipeline System (TIEDA) upgraded 434 kilometers (approximately 272 miles) of critical pipeline in northern China.

Client's Challenge

The pipeline system was located in Liaoning Province and had been in continuous operation since 1975. A primary objective of this project was to increase system efficiency, stressing energy conservation, while investigating new methods to increase throughput. At the top of the project, the average pipeline throughput was 20 million metric tons per year.

The transported crude was heavy, waxy oil that presented flow problems and required careful heat controls to maximize a viscous flow.

Fluor's Solution

The project focused on the six pipeline pump stations where OSD would renovate the pumping and heating systems and add SCADA and automation.

We developed a custom OSD program and trained Chinese engineers in pipeline design, operations and maintenance of TIEDA. The technology transfer instructed the local engineers on how to apply their knowledge to extend the pipeline operating conditions.