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IS 15663 (Part 3) : 2000Design and installation of natural gas pipelines – Code of Practice: Part 3 Pre-commissioning and commissioning of pipelines

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ASME B31.8 · EN 1594 · CSA Z662
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMMEP · Structural Engineering and Structural Sections
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 15663:2000 (Part 3) is the Indian Standard (BIS) for design and installation of natural gas pipelines – code of practice: part 3 pre-commissioning and commissioning of pipelines. This code provides the standard procedures for the pre-commissioning and commissioning of onshore natural gas pipelines. It covers essential activities like pipeline cleaning, gauging, hydrostatic testing for integrity, dewatering, drying, and the final safe introduction of natural gas (gassing-up).

Design and installation of natural gas pipelines – Code of Practice: Part 3 Pre-commissioning and commissioning of pipelines

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
MEP — Structural Engineering and Structural Sections
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
ASME B31.8-2022 · American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), USAEN 1594:2013 · European Committee for Standardization (CEN), EuropeCSA Z662:23 · Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group), CanadaIGEM/TD/1 Edition 5 · Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), UK
Typically used with
IS 226IS 318
Also on InfraLens for IS 15663
6Key values4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! Hydrostatic testing is a critical hold point; meticulous and certified record-keeping of pressure and temperature is mandatory for acceptance.
! Drying the pipeline to the specified dew point is crucial to prevent internal corrosion and the formation of solid gas hydrates during operation.
! Commissioning typically involves purging the line with an inert gas like nitrogen before introducing natural gas to prevent the formation of an explosive air-gas mixture.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4SafetyCl. 5PlanningCl. 6Pre-commissioning ActivitiesCl. 6.2CleaningCl. 6.4Hydrostatic TestingCl. 7Commissioning
Pulled from IS 15663:2000. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
steelnatural gas

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ASME B31.8-2022American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), USA
HighCurrent
Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
Comprehensive code for design, fabrication, installation, testing, and operation of gas pipelines.
EN 1594:2013European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
HighCurrent
Gas infrastructure - Pipelines for maximum operating pressure over 16 bar - Functional requirements
Focuses on functional requirements for high-pressure gas transmission pipelines.
CSA Z662:23Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group), Canada
HighCurrent
Oil and gas pipeline systems
Covers the entire lifecycle of both oil and gas pipeline systems, from design to decommissioning.
IGEM/TD/1 Edition 5Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), UK
HighCurrent
Steel Pipelines and Associated Installations for High Pressure Gas Transmission
Provides detailed specifications for high-pressure gas transmission pipelines in the UK context.
Key Differences
≠IS 15663 mandates specific, prescriptive minimum separation distances between parallel pipelines (e.g., 5.0m), whereas standards like ASME B31.8 are less prescriptive, leaving the distance to be determined by engineering analysis considering construction, maintenance, and safety.
≠While both use Location Class systems, IS 15663 defines them based on a 'cluster of dwelling units' specific to Indian geography, which can lead to different classifications for similar land use compared to the dwelling counts per unit area in ASME B31.8.
≠IS 15663 is more prescriptive about requiring casing pipes for road and rail crossings, while modern international standards more readily accept and often prefer advanced trenchless methods like Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) without casings, focusing on pipe stress analysis.
≠IS 15663 references a mix of API and Indian Standards (IS) for materials, welding, and inspection. International codes primarily reference standards like API, ASTM, and ASME (in the US) or EN (in Europe), which can affect material sourcing and qualification procedures.
Key Similarities
≈All standards employ the fundamental Barlow's formula for pipe wall thickness calculation, incorporating a location-based Design Factor (F) to reduce allowable stress in more populated areas.
≈The requirement for a dual corrosion protection system, consisting of a primary external coating (like 3LPE or FBE) and a secondary cathodic protection system, is a universal principle in IS 15663 and its international counterparts.
≈Post-construction hydrostatic testing to a pressure significantly above the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (MAOP) to prove pipeline integrity is a mandatory and fundamentally similar process across all major codes.
≈The principle of increasing the minimum depth of cover for pipelines at sensitive locations such as road, railway, and watercourse crossings is consistently applied across all standards to provide additional mechanical protection.
≈All codes mandate the use of qualified welding procedures and certified welders for pipeline construction, with API 1104 being a commonly accepted standard for qualification in IS 15663 and ASME B31.8.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Design Factor (F) for Class 1 Location0.720.72ASME B31.8
Minimum Cover Depth (Normal Terrain, Class 1)1.0 meter30 inches (approx. 0.76 m)ASME B31.8
Minimum Cover at Major Road Crossings1.2 meters (from top of pipe)48 inches (approx. 1.2 m) (from top of pipe)ASME B31.8
Minimum Hydrostatic Test Pressure (Class 1)1.25 x Design Pressure1.25 x Maximum Operating PressureASME B31.8
Minimum Hydrostatic Test DurationMinimum 24 hoursMinimum 8 hours (though 24 hours is common practice)ASME B31.8
Hot Bend Minimum Radius10 x Pipe DiameterNot explicitly defined, based on manufacturer qualification and ensuring properties are maintained.ASME B31.8
Radiographic Inspection (Class 4 Location)100% of girth welds100% of girth weldsASME B31.8
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Minimum hydrostatic strength test pressure1.25 x Design Pressure
Minimum hydrostatic leak test pressure1.1 x Maximum Operating Pressure
Minimum hydrostatic test duration24 hours
Gauging plate diameter tolerance95% of pipe internal diameter
Recommended pigging velocity1 to 4 m/s
Typical target dew point for drying-10°C at pipeline pressure

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Safety
Clause 5 - Planning
Clause 6 - Pre-commissioning Activities
Clause 6.2 - Cleaning
Clause 6.4 - Hydrostatic Testing
Clause 7 - Commissioning

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Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 226:1975Structural Steel (Standard Quality)
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IS 318:2003Leaded Tin Bronze Ingots and Castings
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Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the purpose of gauging a pipeline?+
To verify the pipeline is free from major obstructions and to ensure that any dents or ovality are within acceptable limits, typically by passing a gauging plate of 95% of the pipe's internal diameter (Clause 6.3).
What pressure is used for hydrotesting?+
The pipeline is subjected to a strength test at a minimum of 1.25 times the design pressure for at least 24 hours to verify its structural integrity (Clause 6.4.4).
Why is drying necessary after hydrotesting?+
To remove all residual water, preventing internal corrosion and the formation of solid gas hydrates which can block the pipeline when natural gas is introduced at high pressure and low temperature (Clause 6.5).
What is 'commissioning' in this context?+
Commissioning is the final step of introducing natural gas into the pipeline after it has been cleaned, tested, and dried. It involves purging the line of air/inert gas and safely pressurizing it with natural gas (Clause 7).

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