J. ABID and A. SARWAT, Antonoil Service, Basra, Iraq
Producing photographs of and within process plants requires special attention and discipline. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a poorly taken or incorrectly labeled photograph can convey false information and create confusion among different stakeholders (e.g., a tie-in incorrectly marked on a photo by the site team and forwarded to the engineering contractor for detailed engineering will result in a rework). This article presents the basic guidelines and some best practices for taking, presenting and labeling images professionally. Actual site photos are included to explain the principles. These principals are essential for construction engineers, but can be applied to any section or department, such as inspection, proposal, procurement and marketing.
Why is photography significant? Photographs provide visual information at various stages of a project’s lifecycle: from feasibility to construction, handover and decommissioning/abandonment. TABLE 1 shows some possible uses of photographs in the oil and gas industry.
For example, during the design stage, a tie-in will be marked by field engineers with onsite photos. The piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) will be marked red and sent to the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) team for detailed engineering. Similarly, photos can be used as evidence during the abandonment phase to prove to an environmental agency that the site has been restored close to or better than its original state.
Guidelines for taking and labeling photos. Photos can generally be split into two categories:
The purpose or activity should be stated in the photo. Consider each photo as an engineering document for record and traceability (e.g., location of new equipment, heavy lift of a column, verification, construction progress). The location should be marked on the photos. For general area photos, the area/unit should be labeled, and for specific details, the tag number should be included. In the case of an elevated technological structure or pre-assembled units (PAUs), top of grating (TOG) elevation should be considered to further clarify an accurate location.
The photos should be taken along (plant) north, south, east or west perspectives for better visualization and quick comparison with drawings. The north arrow should be marked along with a descriptive statement: “view looking towards north.” Furthermore, while taking photos of vessel internals (e.g., trays, packing, demister, vortex breaker, distributor), show simplified vessel sketches as an inset for quick identification. Add a circle or cloud to the applicable part on the sketch. Finally, it is vital that all photos are dated as a record of construction progress and/or validity of site information to date.
For underground work, take photos to provide a detailed record before covering it with pavement (e.g., cables, fondations, pipes, drains). For machinery failure, place a ruler (scale rule) adjacent to it so that readers can determine the size of the items or defect.
While inspecting pipe and pipe fittings, take zoomed-in photos of the heat number, digital vernier caliper reading (showing wall thickness) and defects (if any). These photos provide a visual record, enabling an easy and speedy material receiving inspection report. To compare options, place items side by side in the same frame (do not merge two photos with a different scale). Highlight significant or visual features (e.g., space saving, weight reduction, energy consumption, ergonomic-friendly design).
It is preferable to take construction photos during daylight for maximum visibility and safety purposes. Critical or urgent activities, such as a heavy lift during shutdown or load-out of a topside module at night, are permissible with an approved job safety analysis (JSA). For marketing purposes, illuminated night photos of operational process plants or offshore platforms can be included in technical proposals.
There must be action in the picture; it should not be static. Any people in the picture should be performing tasks. When taking pictures of people at work, make sure they are focusing on their work. The pictures should look natural and not posed. Poor quality photographs and repeats should not be deleted but stored in a separate junk folder. You never know when you may be looking for a picture showing a particular aspect of the project, a good photograph of the project to include in a publication.
It is infeasible to attach and explain a photo for each stage of the project cycle (TABLE 1). FIG. 1 shows the proposed location of a new diesel loading pump skid adjacent to a diesel storage vessel. The minimum information needed in the image is:
The focus should be on:
Consider the desired orientation of critical interfaces (e.g., compressor suction, discharge nozzle, closed drain, vent, electrical junction box) and document them on the photo. This should be part of the issued for purchase datasheet. This would minimize vendor general arrangement drawing changes. In the worst cases, the EPC contractor must follow a sub-optimal route for piping and cables, if the needed information is not communicated in a timely manner. FIG. 2 shows how to mark a tie-in on photos of a brownfield site. The minimum information needed in the image is:
Tie-ins can be marked on a plot plan (with an arrow pointing in the direction of the photographer’s view). FIG. 3 shows an example of a specific detailed photo. Note how the inset (on the top right) clearly communicates information. The inset provides zoomed-in detail, while the overall view of the pump gives the exact location/orientation of the specific punch list item. The minimum information needed in the image is:
Never attach construction photographs showing unacceptable and unsafe practices in weekly/monthly progress reports. However, these photos may be used in safety reports for appropriate action and close-out.
For construction progress, take photos on a regular basis from the same vantage point. This will help to create a time lapse video during close-out. Additionally, it gives a visual indication of monthly progress (was vs. now). See a time lapse video for a typical horizontal vessel foundation (VID 1).
Health, safety, security and environment issues and considerations. The following security/safety points must be noted:
LITERATURE CITED
JAMSHAID ABID is a Piping Lead at Antonoil Service in the Majnoon Oilfield, Iraq. He earned a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology in Taxila, Pakistan. Abid has written three articles for Hydrocarbon Processing magazine and articles on LinkedIn related to piping design and layout. In his free time, he enjoys yoga and meditation.
ADNAN SARWAT has more than 25 yr of project and maintenance/turnaround experience in the downstream and upstream sectors while mainly working in the Middle East with international oil companies. As a mechanical engineer, he has a passion for using his practical experience to train and mentor fellow and young engineers.