In 1987 the Department of Energy, who at the time were responsible for authorizing the construction and operation of pipelines in UK waters, undertook a major study of the problems of pipeline abandonment. The work was carried out by John Brown Engineers and Constructors Ltd and consisted of a comprehensive review of the engineering, environmental and economic implications of subsea pipelines at the end of their operating life.

In the process of resolving disputes, it is not uncommon for parties to justify actions otherwise in breach of their obligations by invoking the need to protect some aspect of the elusive concept of public order. Until this thoroughly researched book, the criteria and factors against which international dispute bodies assess such claims have remained unclear. Now, by providing an in-depth comparative analysis of relevant jurisprudence under four distinct international dispute resolution systems – trade, investment, human rights and international commercial arbitration – the author of this invaluable book identifies common core benchmarks for the application of the public order exception. To achieve the broadest possible scope for her analysis, the author examines the public order exception’s function, role and application within the following international dispute resolution systems: relevant World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements as enforced by the organization’s Dispute Settlement Body and Appellate Body; international investment agreements as enforced by competent Arbitral Tribunals and Annulment Committees under the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes; provisions under the Inter-American Convention of Human Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights as enforced by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, respectively; and the New York Convention as enforced by national tribunals across the world. Controversies, tensions and pitfalls inherent in invoking the public order exception are elucidated, along with clear guidelines on how arguments may be crafted in order to enhance prospects of success. Throughout, tables and graphs systematize key aspects of the relevant jurisprudence under each of the dispute resolution systems analysed. As an immediate practical resource for lawyers on any side of a dispute who wish to invoke or strengthen a public order exception claim, the book’s systematic analysis will be welcomed by lawyers active in WTO disputes, international investment arbitration, human rights law or enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Academics and policymakers will find a signal contribution to the ongoing debate on the existence, legal basis, content and functions of the transnational public order.

This open access book offers a timely guide to challenges and current practices to permanently plug and abandon hydrocarbon wells. With a focus on offshore North Sea, it analyzes the process of plug and abandonment of hydrocarbon wells through the establishment of permanent well barriers. It provides the reader with extensive knowledge on the type of barriers, their functioning and verification. It then discusses plug and abandonment methodologies, analyzing different types of permanent plugging materials. Last, it describes some tests for verifying the integrity and functionality of installed permanent barriers. The book offers a comprehensive reference guide to well plugging and abandonment (P&A) and well integrity testing. The book also presents new technologies that have been proposed to be used in plugging and abandoning of wells, which might be game-changing technologies, but they are still in laboratory or testing level. Given its scope, it addresses students and researchers in both academia and industry. It also provides information for engineers who work in petroleum industry and should be familiarized with P&A of hydrocarbon wells to reduce the time of P&A by considering it during well planning and construction.

The Offshore Pipeline Construction Industry: Activity Modeling and Cost Estimation in the United States Gulf of Mexico presents the latest technical concepts and economic calculations, helping engineers make better business decisions. The book covers flow assurance, development strategies on pipeline requirements and the construction service side with a global perspective. In addition, it focuses on one of the most underdeveloped, promising assets – the Gulf of Mexico. Pipeline construction and decommissioning estimation methods are examined with reliable data presented. A final section covers trends for oil, gas, bulk oil, bulk gas, service and umbilical pipelines for installation and decommissioning using correlation models. This book delivers a much-needed tool for the pipeline engineer to better understand the economical choices and alternatives to designing, constructing, and operating today's offshore pipelines. - Built with construction and decommissioning decision tools supported by reliable data and case studies - Organized by parts, including a section devoted to Gulf of Mexico statistics and estimation methods - Helps readers gain practical knowledge on strategies and cost models from a global pipeline perspective, including environmental and mitigation considerations

A comprehensive and detailed reference guide on the integrity and safety of oil and gas pipelines, both onshore and offshore Covers a wide variety of topics, including design, pipe manufacture, pipeline welding, human factors, residual stresses, mechanical damage, fracture and corrosion, protection, inspection and monitoring, pipeline cleaning, direct assessment, repair, risk management, and abandonment Links modern and vintage practices to help integrity engineers better understand their system and apply up-to-date technology to older infrastructure Includes case histories with examples of solutions to complex problems related to pipeline integrity Includes chapters on stress-based and strain-based design, the latter being a novel type of design that has only recently been investigated by designer firms and regulators Provides information to help those who are responsible to establish procedures for ensuring pipeline integrity and safety

Special edition of the Federal Register, containing a codification of documents of general applicability and future effect ... with ancillaries.