Publications

Kedung Keris is a sour full well stream pipeline representing 3% of Indonesia’s national oil production with a daily output of ~20,000 barrels. Situated in Banyu Urip, one of the largest oil producer fields in Indonesia, this pipeline operates in an environment with unprocessed fluid containing 1.5% H2S. Hence, any risk to the integrity of the pipeline offers a dual complexity, impacting both national oil production and community safety.

This paper explores the dynamic challenges related to the management of soil instability cases in the pipeline. Two significant landslides occurred in the rainy seasons of 2022 and 2023, both attributed to erosion and scouring on the river near the pipeline. The first event in 2022 in Section A resulted in a 2-meter deflection, leading to an advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modeling that determined a repair is needed on the affected section. A revolutionary replacement, innovating on long lead items was executed in under two months, exceeding schedule expectations. The second landslide in 2023 in Section B, led to a similar deflection was followed by a quick shutdown, incorporating temporary mitigation measures such as stress-relief with soil excavation and the installation of steel piles and pipe support, stabilizing the soil, and effectively reduced the pipeline movement by 70% in less than a month.

To address the root cause and ensure continued resilience against soil instability, a comprehensive long-term soil stabilization strategy is implemented through the installation of bored piles on the right-of-way and riverbank strengthening, consequently preventing potential future event, and protecting both national oil production and the safety of the surrounding community.