Saep 501

Engineering Procedure
SAEP-501 13 July 2015

Drag Reducing Agent (DRA) Chemicals
Document Responsibility: Flow Assurance Standards Committee
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1 Scope............................................................... 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations……………………...... 2
3 Applicable Documents...................................... 2
4 Acronyms and Definitions................................. 4
5 Instructions....................................................... 8
6 Responsibilities................................................ 9
7 Qualification of New DRA Chemicals…..….... 11
8 Approved DRA Chemicals................….......... 12
9 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
(QA/QC)/P&CSD and R&DC................. 12
10 DRA Chemical Applications and Limitations.. 17
11 Purchase of First-Fill DRA Chemicals
by Project Management Teams............ 19
12 Procurement (See Figure 1)................…....... 20
13 DRA Chemical Vendors....................….......... 20
14 Flow Assurance Standards Committee.......... 21
Figure 1 – DRA Chemical Selection Protocol......... 23
Previous Issue: 26 June 2010 Next Planned Update: 13 July 2018

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Primary contact: Rasheed, Mahmood Ayish (rashma0h) on +966-13-880-9460
Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2015. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Flow Assurance Standards Committee SAEP-501
Issue Date: 13 July 2015
Next Planned Update: 13 July 2018 Drag Reducing Agent (DRA) Chemicals
1 Scope
This Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure (SAEP) provides guidelines for the
minimum technical requirements to ensure a consistent approach to qualify and approve
DRA chemical manufacturers/suppliers and their products. In addition, this procedure
provides guidelines for the acceptable use of DRA chemical for various pipeline
applications within Saudi Aramco. It provides Saudi Aramco DRA chemical user
organizations, manufacturers/suppliers, local agents and contractors with guidelines
describing the requirements to qualify, approve and accept DRA chemical suppliers and
purchase of DRA chemical products for conducting field trials and use in pipeline
projects and/or in de-bottlenecking existing pipeline systems.
This procedure also establishes requirements for selection, quality assurance, quality
control, and first-fill purchase of DRA chemicals in Materials Service Group (MSG)
148400. This document does not address other chemicals, such as drilling chemicals,
water treatment chemicals, chemicals used in refinery processes, or oilfield chemicals
addressed in SAES-A-205.
2 Conflicts and Deviations
2.1 Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Procedures (SAEPs) and/or Standards (SAESs) and/or industry
standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing through the Manager of
Process & Control Systems Department (P&CSD) of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this procedure in writing to the Company, who
shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302 and forward such requests to
the Manager of Process & Control Systems Department of Saudi Aramco,
Dhahran.
3 Applicable Documents
To ensure compliance with the appropriate Saudi Aramco and International Standards
and Codes for flow assurance in pipelines, the following Engineering Standards,
Procedures, Practices and Reports shall be referenced (or used) in conjunction with
DRA chemical studies and applications:
3.1 Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-20 Equipment Inspection Schedule
SAEP-31 Corporate Equipment and Spare Parts Data
Requirements
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SAEP-119 Preparation of Saudi Aramco Materials System

Specifications
SAEP-133 Instructions for Development of “Regulated Vendor
List” Engineering Standard
SAEP-134 Preparation of Saudi Aramco Engineering
Procedures
SAEP-301 Instructions for Establishing and Maintaining
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirements
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
SAEP-3101 Equipment and Spare Parts Data Requirements for
Contractor Procured Equipment
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-205 Oilfield Chemicals
SAES-D-100 Design Criteria of Atmospheric and Low-Pressure
Tanks
SAES-D-109 Design of Small Tanks
SAES-G-005 Centrifugal Pumps
SAES-G-006 Positive Displacement Pumps – Controlled Volume
SAES-L-132 Materials Selection for Piping Systems
SAES-L-310 Design of Plant Piping
SAES-L-410 Design of Pipelines
Saudi Aramco Best Practice

SABP-A-015 Chemical Injection Systems
Saudi Aramco Engineering Report

P&CSD-T-0691/07 Evaluation of Pipeline Drag Reducing Agent (DRA)
Final Report by DRA Evaluation Committee,
December 2007
Supply Chain Management Manual

CU05.02 Material Master
CU 18.05 Claims for Substandard Materials
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3.2 International Standards and Codes
National Fire Protection Association

NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
4 Acronyms and Definitions
AVL: An abbreviation for “Approved Vendor List”. It is a list of the suppliers

approved for doing business with Saudi Aramco. The AVL is usually created by
procurement or sourcing and engineering personnel using a variety of criteria such as
technology, functional fit of the product, financial stability, and past performance of the
supplier. Refer to Supply Chain Management glossary key terms, abbreviations, and
acronyms used throughout the Materials Supply (MS) and customers departments.
DRA AVL shall be decided by the FASC (see definitions of DRA and FASC below).
The DRA chemicals AVL is included under 9COM 6000016111.
Delivery Samples: Are obtained from every shipment for Quality Control (QC) testing.
If the actual delivery sample compares to the pre-delivery sample within prescribed limits
of product specifications, it is approved by R&DC and released for field delivery.
See definitions below for Pre-Delivery Samples and for Retained Standard Sample.
DPC: Delivery Point Center
DRA: An abbreviation for Drag Reducing Agent or Additive. It is a chemical that is

composed of long chain high molecular weight polymers suspended in a carrier fluid
used in fluid-transporting pipelines to reduce pipeline frictional losses/pressure drop for
the purpose of increasing pipeline flow rate and/or decreasing pipeline operating
pressure. DRA is considered a specialty chemical and not a commodity like other
oilfield chemicals (OFCs).
DRA Evaluation Committee: A committee chaired by Process & Control Systems

Department (P&CSD) of Engineering Services (ES) with members from cross functional
Saudi Aramco departments (refer to Section 14 of this document). The committee was
formed by P&CSD in 2005 for the purpose of evaluating and qualifying DRA chemical
vendors/manufacturers/suppliers and their products before adding vendors to the Saudi
Aramco Approved Vendor List (AVL). DRA chemical vendor evaluation includes
surveys, questionnaires, laboratory testing of DRA chemical samples, visits to vendor
headquarters, laboratories, plants, their customers’ sites and review of DRA chemical
field trial performance. This committee is replaced by the Flow Assurance Standards
Committee (FASC). Refer to the definitions of FASC below.
EPA: United States’ Environment Protection Agency.
ES: Engineering Services business line in Saudi Aramco.
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Flow Assurance Chemicals (FACs): Are specialty chemicals in MSG 148400 used in
hydrocarbon (e.g., stabilized or unstabilized oil, refined products) transporting pipes and
pipelines to assure successful and economical transport of hydrocarbons from source
points (e.g., reservoir, wells, separating plants) to destination points (e.g., terminals,
tank farms, refineries, bulk plants). These chemicals include drag reducing agents
(DRAs), hydrate inhibitors (HI), such as kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs), and
conventional hydrate inhibitors, such as methanol/MEG/TEG.
Flow Assurance Standards Committee (FASC): A committee established and

approved by the Chief Engineer of ES and chaired by P&CSD to be responsible for the
FAC standards and procedures such as this DRA chemical Procedure and KHI
Procedure (refer to definition of KHI below). FASC is responsible for reviewing all
aspects of FAC selection and procurement. Its charter is to ensure the cost effective
purchase and service performance of FACs through appropriate specifications and
QA/QC procedures.
FA RSA: An abbreviation for “Flow Assurance Responsible Standardization Agent”.

It is an RSA for specialty product chemicals defined above as FACs assigned by
Engineering Services/P&CSD, the responsible agency, with the concurrence of
Materials Standardization of Projects & Strategic Purchasing Department/Operations
Services, who is the technical authority on issues related to flow assurance chemicals.
FA RSA consists of two RSAs (a primary RSA and an alternate RSA) who are
members of the Flow Assurance Standards Committee (FASC).
GPD: Gallons per Day.
HI: Hydrate Inhibitor: A generic term for chemicals that prevent the formation of
hydrates.
KHI: Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor: A special type of hydrate inhibitors that is used with
low dosage and enables the pipelines to operate under sub-cooled flowing conditions.
It is usually polymeric in nature. It inhibits hydrate formation by delaying rather than
preventing the nucleation and growth of hydrate crystals.
Laboratory Screening: The process of testing a large number of chemicals for the
purpose of identifying the most promising chemical or group of chemicals for rigorous
and complete laboratory testing.
Laboratory Testing: The evaluation of chemicals to identify chemicals suitable for

plant trials.
LSTK: Lump Sum Turn-Key is a project in which the design, procurement, and
construction are done by the contractor.
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MRP Controller: The Materials Requirement Planning Controller, a position in

Operations Purchasing and Inventory Control Department with the responsibility for
controlling inventory for 9CAT materials. (This includes forecasting inventory
requirements and releasing requisitions for 9CAT articles.)
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet.
MSG 148400 MRP Controller: The analyst, along with Purchasing, who is
responsible for implementing and maintaining the issue restriction system and the
phase-in/phase-out of new chemicals.
Oilfield Chemicals (OFCs): Are oilfield chemicals in MSG 147000 used primarily,
although not exclusively, in oil and gas producing operations. These chemicals are
demulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, and biocides. DRAs and KHIs are
not under the OFCs.
PDT: Pipelines, Distribution and Terminals
Performance Factor: A number assigned to a DRA chemical and provided to

Purchasing to develop commercial bids. It is calculated as the ratio of the required
treatment rate of a DRA chemical, determined during plant trials, to the treatment rate
of the chemical exhibiting the lowest effective treatment rate. For example, to obtain a
certain percentage (%) increase in flow rate (or % decrease in pressure), the minimum
required treatment rate for DRA chemical A is 5 ppm (or say 100 GPD), and 7.5 ppm
(or say 150 GPD) for DRA chemical B. Then A has the smaller effective dosing rate
and a performance factor of 5/5 (100/100) or 1.0, while B has a performance factor of
7.5/5 (150/100), or 1.5. So A has a better performance than B. If the bidding price of A
is $10/gallon and price of B is $7/gallon, then A wins the bid (1 x 10 = 10 < 1.5 x 7 =
10.5). But, if price of B is $6/gallon, then B wins (1 x 10 = 10 > 1.5 x 6 = 9).
Considering the required amount of DRA chemical and available limited DRA chemical
storage at the end-user site, chemical A could be the technically feasible choice, though
B is economically better than A.
Performance factors for DRA chemicals are developed from field trials, unlike
performance factors for some other chemicals such as, corrosion inhibitors, scale
inhibitors and biocides, which are determined by laboratory tests done by R&DC or by
an independent organization. Note that the Performance Factor is not a fixed number
for a DRA chemical to be used in all pipelines/services. Therefore, a specific DRA
chemical performance factor should be generated for each pipeline/system based on
either the field trial of the DRA chemical, the estimated DRA chemical performance
report of the DRA chemical contractor or proper comparison of the system (pipeline
length, pipeline size, product/service and terrain) done by the plant/pipeline engineer”.
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Phase-in/Phase-out: Are terms used in purchase agreement administration for

adding/deleting. Refer, for instance, to Supply Chain Management Manual - Materials
Control Edition MC 11.02.
Plant Trial (also called a “field trial” or “field test”): The use of a DRA chemical in
a plant/pipeline, to establish its effectiveness and performance factor as well as its
performance curve. A plant or field trial runs for a limited time. The trial period should
be agreed upon among plant or field engineers, the DRA chemical vendor and FASC,
prior to initiation of the trial.
PLC: Programmable Logic Controller.
PMT: Project Management Team
ppm: parts per million (by mass as referred to by DRA vendors), a quantitative
measure of DRA chemical concentration.
Pre-delivery Samples: Are taken by competent personnel from the plant trial shipment
of a DRA chemical prior to delivery. Pre-delivery samples are required for all new DRA
chemicals; these become the standard for QA/QC benchmark testing of future shipments.
QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control): In the context of this document, QA

generally includes P&CSD, CSD, Standardization, and FA RSA functions, as well as
matters relating to selection, screening, performance testing, and trials of FACs. QC is
addressed primarily by the testing of delivery samples.
Qualification Testing: Is testing in accordance with Section 7 to determine if a

candidate DRA chemical can be used to treat a process stream more effectively than or
as effectively as with the DRA chemical(s) currently in use.
R&DC: The Research and Development Center, Dhahran, a department of Technology

Oversight and Coordination.
Retained Standard Sample: A sample of each MSG 148400 chemical currently in use
by Saudi Aramco to be taken from the first delivery of each chemical at the beginning
of a new year. This sample is to be compared with the pre-delivery sample in physical
properties and in laboratory performance. If the results are suitably similar then the
retained standard sample will be used. The retained standard sample is replaced each
year.
RSA: Responsible Standardization Agent.
SAES: Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard.
SAMSS: Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification.
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Standardization Engineer - DRA Chemicals: The engineer from Materials

Standardization Division/Projects & Strategic Purchasing Department responsible for
the cataloging of new DRA chemicals in MSG 148400, and the maintenance of the
Materials Supply Inventory catalog.
5 Instructions
5.1 General Requirements
5.1.1 PMT and operating departments shall follow and apply this procedure to
the engineering design contractor, DRA chemical vendors/bidders and
their local agents involved in DRA chemical activities for Saudi Aramco.
5.1.2 The DRA chemical vendor and engineering design contractor/vendor

local agent shall fully comply with this procedure when performing DRA
chemical related activities for Saudi Aramco.
5.1.3 DRA chemical vendors and their products will have to be evaluated,
tested, and approved by the FASC prior to the DRA chemical application
within Saudi Aramco facilities. The evaluation process includes several
steps and the process is governed by an evaluation criteria. A very
important step in the evaluation is the field/trial test for the DRA
chemical. Refer to Section 7 (Qualification of New DRA Chemicals)
and Section 13 (DRA Chemical Vendors) below.
5.2 Field Trial-Test Preparation and Completion Procedure and Responsibility
5.2.1 Qualified DRA chemical vendors should perform a simulation study to

predict their product performance, and present it to proponent and FASC
prior to the field test.
Saudi Aramco (Proponents, Pipelines and OSPAS) shall provide the

DRA chemical supplier and/or local agent and/or contractor conducting
the field trial with the required pipeline operating data prior to
conducting the DRA chemical study and/or field trial.
5.2.2 The DRA chemical supplier and/or local agent and/or contractor
conducting the field trial shall submit a proposal to Saudi Aramco
(P&CSD, Proponent, R&DC, Pipelines, OSPAS and FASC) with the
detailed required site, equipment, material and operational preparations
along with a detailed test protocol from start to finish of the field trial.
5.2.3 The DRA chemical vendors shall make a presentation to the interested
proponent department and to FASC about the test procedure, duration,
safety, and potential operational impacts.
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5.2.4 Saudi Aramco (FASC and Proponent Department) shall review and
approve the submitted field test procedure prior to commencement of the
field test.
5.2.5 Saudi Aramco (FASC and Proponent Department) shall facilitate the
DRA chemical supplier and/or local agent and/or contractor conducting
the field test to bring the required crew, equipment and material to the
test site.
5.2.6 OSPAS shall provide baseline flow conditions prior to the field trial, and
forward the pressure, flow, temperature at various points of the pipeline
to field trial engineers.
5.2.7 PDT personnel shall during field trials collect fluid samples with and
without the agreed, pre-defined, DRA chemical dosages at suitable times
at points along the pipeline.
5.2.8 R&DC shall test the collected fluid samples from field trials to confirm
performance and/or non-harm properties.
5.2.9 At the completion of a DRA chemical study and/or a DRA chemical

field trial, the engineering design contractor/DRA chemical vendor/local
agent shall submit an electronic copy of the study and field trial final
report with complete supporting documents to Proponent and to FASC.
6 Responsibilities
6.1 FA RSA
The FA RSA is consulted by the Materials Standardization Division and

proponents on matters of materials standardization, stock simplification, and
source development for DRA chemicals. He is also to be consulted on QA/QC
procedures and the cataloging of new DRA chemicals in MSG 148400. The FA
RSA has all of the responsibilities listed in Supply Chain Management Manual
(SCMM) Customer Edition CU 05.02 plus those contained in this SAEP.
Note: Currently, CU 05.02 includes RSA for OFCs. Similarly, FA RSA will have to be
added. The FA RSA consists of two specialist P&CSD engineers; one is for
DRA chemical (Primary RSA) and the other one is for KHI (Alternate RSA) as
per direction of P&CSD Manager. Refer to definitions of FA RSA above.
6.2 Process & Control Systems Department (P&CSD)
6.2.1 The single point contact for consultation and procedures/standards issues
related to the use of DRA chemicals for new projects. If requested,
P&CSD will coordinate screening and testing of DRA chemicals for
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field engineers through the FA RSA.
6.2.2 Maintains DRA chemicals control standards and specifications,

including this procedure.
6.3 Research & Development Center (R&DC), Dhahran
The primary organization for screening, testing and reporting test results of
DRA chemical and samples in coordination with FA RSA of P&CSD.
6.4 Materials Standardization Engineer
Engineer from Materials Standardization of Projects & Strategic Purchasing

Department/Operations Services who is responsible for cataloging and catalog
maintenance of DRA chemicals. Consults with the FA RSA/P&CSD on issues
referenced in this procedure and on other DRA-related technical matters.
6.5 MSG 148400 MRP Controller
Responsible for implementing and maintaining the issue restriction system and
the phase-in/phase-out of new DRA chemicals.
6.6 Flow Assurance Standards Committee (FASC)
Establishes appropriate and realistic specifications and QA/QC procedures for

FACs to enable the cost effective purchase by operating units. The committee is
also involved in developing and revising DRA and HI chemicals standards and
procedures. Refer to the definition of FASC, above.
6.7 Operations Engineering Units
Responsible for field/plant trials of FACs, tracking of use, determination of

competitive equivalents, technical qualification for use, and determination of
performance factors in coordination with FASC and FA RSA.
6.8 Project Management
Responsible for first-time fill of FAC tanks. Work with Operations, Operations
Engineering, Purchasing, R&DC and P&CSD/FA RSA to ensure that suitable
and cost effective chemicals are specified and purchased for the project.
6.9 Purchasing Department, Buyer of DRA Chemicals in MSG 148400
Single point contact with vendors and users for all commercial considerations.
Develops competitive bids and notifies FASC, FA RSA, Operations and
Operations Engineering of the most cost effective chemicals for use.
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7 Qualification of New DRA Chemicals
7.1 Protocol for the Selection and Qualification of New DRA Chemicals (Figure 1)
7.1.1 Sample Submission
The FA RSA shall restrict the number of samples to a maximum of two

DRA products per vendor for each potential application. The DRA
chemical vendor shall supply the samples with an official vendor written
document describing their DRA chemical, including name, application,
performance characteristics and chemical composition. An MSDS must
be supplied.
7.1.2 Testing Protocol
7.1.2.1 Testing shall be carried out using parameters closely simulating

field conditions, as agreed in writing among the coordinating
engineer, the end-user, and the appropriate testing laboratory.
A copy of the test protocol shall be provided to the FA RSA.
7.1.2.2 In addition to establishing the properties of a DRA chemical,

an appropriate selection, “the Test Protocol,” from the
following methods to determine relevant parameters shall be
performed by R&DC, following agreement with the FA RSA:
Tests can include, but are not limited to, the following:
i) Performance and no harm test
ii) Chemical and physical properties (e.g., solubility, acidity,
viscosity and precipitation on walls or bottom of flasks)
iii) Composition and contamination (e.g., silicon, magnesium
or phosphorus content)
7.1.2.3 In all cases, other tests may also be deemed suitable, and can
be included in the testing protocol at the discretion of R&DC,
P&CSD, CSD, or the proponent Operations Engineering
organization.
7.2 Plant or Field Trial Samples
7.2.1 QA/QC samples shall be obtained for all new DRA chemicals.
7.2.2 The vendor shall deliver samples of any DRA chemical to R&DC, at
least 10 working days prior to the start of the plant or field trial.
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7.2.3 R&DC shall retain all samples of DRA chemicals qualified for use by a
successful plant trial until the FA RSA authorizes disposal. This will
normally occur only after the FASC officially certifies a DRA chemical
obsolete.
8 Approved DRA Chemicals
8.1 If a DRA chemical successfully passes the evaluation criteria and a plant/field
trial and the responsible plant engineer considers it a candidate for regular use,
the responsible proponent engineer shall inform the FA RSA in writing, with a
copy to Purchasing that it has successfully passed the test and confirm that
cataloging has been requested. The notification and the request for cataloging
shall contain the results of the plant/field trial and the performance factor
generated from that trial. All correspondence with the FASC should be attached
to the appropriate Saudi Aramco MDM cataloging procedure.
8.2 The FA RSA shall maintain an up-to-date list of all approved DRA chemicals
and keep the MRP Controller, the Standardization Engineer, and the Buyer
informed of the approved DRA chemicals.
8.3 A DRA product can be added to the list of approved DRA chemicals after the
FASC and FA RSA are notified in writing that the product has successfully
passed field trials in a Pipeline/Producing/Distribution facility. It shall be the
responsibility of the FASC to request the FA RSA and the Buyer to add the
DRA chemical to the list, and to notify the FASC members of the addition for
consideration of use in other Pipelines/Producing/Distribution departments.
Whenever the FASC identifies the use of a DRA chemical in other facilities, the
FA RSA and the Buyer shall be notified.
8.4 The FASC shall review the list of approved DRA chemicals no less than once a
year; identify new catalog items with recommendations for cataloging action; and
identify obsolete products with recommendations for their removal from SAMS.
9 Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)/P&CSD and R&DC
9.1 QA/QC Testing
The P&CSD Upstream Process Engineering Division and the R&DC are
responsible for the QA/QC testing of every delivery of DRA chemicals in MSG
148400.
9.2 Performance Testing on Delivery Samples and/or Field Trials
Additional testing shall be led by P&CSD and performed by the R&DC on

randomly picked shipments of DRA chemicals as follows:
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9.2.1 DRA Chemical Vendor Test
DRA chemical vendor shall supply R&DC with a representative sample

or more of their DRA chemical finished product. R&DC shall test the
sample and report test results as passing, not passing, or requires more
testing (refer to some generic DRA chemical specifications below in
Section 9.2.2 of this document). R&DC shall provide a clear
recommendation after the testing. A DRA chemical field trial shall not
take place before passing the laboratory test and passing the evaluation
of vendor responses to FASC questionnaires. A DRA chemical field
trial is mandatory if the DRA chemical application on a specific fluid
pipeline service is new to Saudi Aramco in the sense that it has never
been tested before on a similar pipeline service (e.g., testing DRA
chemical in NGL or water injection pipelines). Before a field test is
conducted, a confirmation from DRA chemical vendor, R&DC and an
acceptance from the Saudi Aramco shipping/receiving facility are
required that the injected DRA chemical will have no negative impact on
process (e.g., change of product spec) and/or process equipment
(e.g., plugging deposits) at the receiving plant.
Prior to field trial, the vendor shall provide Saudi Aramco (FA RSA and
proponent) with a simulation study report to estimate DRA chemical
dosage/rate and performance on the specific pipeline service under
specific operating conditions.
After the field trial completion, the DRA chemical vendor shall also
provide Saudi Aramco (FA RSA, R&DC and proponent) with the field
trial results and DRA chemical performance curve in an electronic-
format report.
9.2.2 DRA Chemical Specifications
DRA chemical specifications, as categorized in the subsections below,

might differ based on the DRA chemical vendor/manufacturer and the
type of application the DRA chemical is used in.
9.2.2.1 General Properties

- Solids and polymer(s) type and concentration(s)
- Carrier fluid(s) type and concentration(s)
- Approximate polymer molecular weight
- Non-Newtonian viscosity
- Non-flashable in the fluid of application
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- Freezing point at 0°C or lower

- Boiling point at 100°C or higher
- Non-gel emulsion/suspension or slurry type
- Dissolves but does not react with the fluid of application
- Carrier/solution does not react with the DRA polymer or
fluid of application.
9.2.2.2 Handling
- Operates in a broad range of ambient temperature variations
from 0°C to 50°C
- Stable emulsion
- May require intermittent agitation before use
- May require unloading pump to transfer the DRA chemical
to the permanent storage tank
- As DRA chemical permanent storage tank can be used for
different DRA products from different DRA vendors, utility
water connection to the DRA tank will be required for
cleaning purposes and flushing before a different DRA
product is stored.
- May require insulating the unloading pipe and associated
pipes within the system including the suction and the
discharge of the injection pump
- May require recycle pump for mixing the DRA chemical
- Does not require heating or heat-tracing
- May require air-conditioned/cool storage (20°C – 30°C)
- Does not require pressurized vessels
- Shelf life of 6 months or more and according to DRA
chemical vendor instructions (e.g., periodic agitation/mixing
and/or cooling)
- Insulated containers with a capacity of 25 to 5,000 US gallon
9.2.2.3 Performance
Performance is measured by drag reduction percentage versus

DRA chemical active polymer concentration in ppm by mass.
Depending on the medium of application, the drag reduction
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percentage will be based on the vendor proven and/or field trial

performance curves.
A performance factor for each DRA chemical shall be

established in a field trial for each pipelines/service. A field
trial in each major pipeline system is also necessary to establish
a performance factor for each DRA chemical associated with
the particular pipeline application.
DRA vendor shall also provide his best engineering estimate

on DRA shearing factor due to higher flow rates in the system
and/or other factors that can be encountered after flow increase.
9.2.2.4 Safety and Environment

- Non-hazardous and meet EPA and/or SAES
- Non-flammable
- Non-toxic and meet EPA and/or SAES
- Proven not to change a chemical/refining processes or
product specifications
- Proven not to harm fuel tanks and lines/fuel injection
equipment/engines/valves/pumps/filters/storage equipment
- DRA chemical users shall refer to the DRA vendor MSDS
prior to handling any DRA product.
- For the safety and fire protection requirements if not covered
in the vendor MSDS, refer to NFPA 30 and the company
chemical Hazards Bulletins (CHBs).
9.2.2.5 Injection Skid

- Operable with different types of DRA chemical from
different DRA chemical vendors/suppliers, unless accepted
by the Proponent
- Small size pumps (not exceeding 2,500 GPM capacity)
- Injection pumps maximum discharge pressure must be
higher than the operating pressure of the pipeline at the
injection location.
- The injection skid must be equipped with a stand-by
injection pump.
- May require shedding the injection skid to maintain the
temperature
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- Equipped with flow meters meeting SAES.

- Could be equipped with PLC.
- Storage tanks are insulated and equipped with stirring device
and product level sensors.
- The DRA chemical injection system (e.g., tanks, pumps,
nozzles, valves, material) shall comply with Saudi Aramco
Chemical Injection Best Practice SABP-A-015.
- Injection skids that are to be installed in unmanned locations
shall be equipped with remote flow control and alarm system.
9.3 Requests for testing can be initiated by P&CSD, Materials Standardization

Organization, Operations Engineering Organizations, Producing Operations,
OSPAS, SAPMT, or the FASC through the FA RSA.
9.4 Actions upon Failure of the QA/QC Tests
9.4.1 In the event that a routine delivery sample of a DRA chemical fails
QA/QC testing, stipulated additional testing shall be carried out upon
request of FA RSA and/or R&DC.
9.4.2 In the event that a randomly taken sample of DRA chemical should fail
the additional tests, field trials shall not be carried out.
9.4.3 The end user, Purchasing, Standardization, and the FA RSA shall be
informed of all failures. End user shall then comply with FA RSA
recommendations.
9.4.4 The FA RSA shall inform the FASC, the vendor and Purchasing of out-
of-specification DRA chemicals.
9.4.5 Repeated failures of a DRA chemical to pass routine QA/QC tests shall
result in the vendor being notified that this particular chemical shall not
be issued from Saudi Aramco system, until such time as the product
passes all re-testing. If the DRA chemical does not pass QA/QC re-tests,
the FA RSA shall notify Materials Control Department to initiate the
action to remove the chemical from SAMS.
9.5 Delivery
Delivery to the DPC shall proceed only after the appropriate QA/QC tests are
finished and the material is certified as suitable for use.
Page 16 of 23
10 DRA Chemical Applications and Limitations
10.1 DRA Chemicals in Grass-root Pipeline Projects
A grass-root or new pipeline shall not be designed based on the use of DRA
chemical to achieve the design flow rate.
10.2 DRA Chemicals in a Capacity Increase/Expansion Project of an Existing

Pipeline System
DRA could be considered in the design of a pipeline system expansion/capacity

increase projects of an already existing pipeline system, provided that the
subject projects will not add a new pipeline and whenever proven technically
and economically feasible. Any deviation will require a waiver from
Proponent(s) and P&CSD.
10.3 DRA Chemicals in Crude Pipelines
Before use of DRA chemicals in stabilized or un-stabilized crude (e.g., Arab

Heavy “AH”, Arab Medium “AM”, Arab Light “AL”, Arab Extra Light “AXL”
or Arab Super Light “ASL”) pipelines, the DRA vendor shall provide the FASC
with simulation and calculation results to predict DRA chemical performance
and present them to the proponent/ FASC, who shall provide the crude data
(e.g., physical properties, gas/oil ratio “GOR”, water cut) and operational data of
the pipeline service to be tested before the DRA chemical vendor performs his
calculation and prediction. Field trial of the DRA chemical will follow the
vendor calculation/simulation and presentation and shall be decided by the
FASC and proponent.
10.4 DRA Chemicals in Condensate Pipelines
For condensate pipelines, the DRA chemical vendor shall provide the FASC
with simulation and calculation results to predict the DRA product performance.
The DRA chemical vendor shall present such results to the proponent/ FASC.
Field trial of the DRA chemical will follow the vendor calculation/simulation
and presentation and shall be decided by the FASC and proponent.
10.5 DRA Chemicals in NGL Pipelines
Use of DRA chemicals in NGL pipelines shall be subject to R&DC no harm

tests to confirm “no harms” to engines and/or receiving process equipment and
facilities before conducting the field tests. Upon passing the laboratory test, the
DRA product shall be subject to a field trial before applying it for pipeline
normal operation. A documented confirmation from the DRA chemical vendor
shall be submitted to the FA RSA. DRA chemical vendor simulation/calculation
Page 17 of 23
and presentation to the FASC shall be conducted before the field trial is decided
as described in 10.3 and 10.4 above.
10.6 DRA Chemicals in Water Injection Pipelines
Use of DRA chemical in water injection pipelines shall be subject to R&DC no

harm tests to confirm “no harms” to water injection pumps/equipment and/or
receiving reservoir facilities and/or reservoir formation before conducting the
field trials. Upon passing the laboratory test, the DRA product shall be subject
to field trials before applying it for pipeline normal operation. A documented
confirmation from DRA vendor shall be submitted to FA RSA. DRA vendor
simulation/calculation and presentation to FASC shall be conducted before the
field trial is decided as described in 10.3 and 10.4 above.
10.7 DRA Chemicals in Jet Fuel Pipelines
DRA samples for use in jet fuel could be tested in the R&DC laboratories only
but shall not be field tested or used in jet fuel service pipelines. If the jet fuel (or
the kerosene used for jet fuel) is batched with other DRA treated refined or
hydrocarbon products such as diesel or gasoline, then the multi-product pipeline
shall be flushed and cleaned with jet fuel (or kerosene) or with non-DRA treated
refined product (non-DRA treated diesel or gasoline) to remove any traces of
contamination of DRA chemical and/or other products before sending the jet
fuel (kerosene) batch as specified by R&DC.
10.8 DRA Chemicals in Gasoline Pipelines
More than 15 ppm by mass DRA polymer in gasoline pipelines requires R&DC
approval. DRA chemical vendor/supplier shall confirm (by an official
document signed by the DRA vendor/supplier) to R&DC and to FASC the
nature of the polymer(s), solvent(s) and any other materials and the
concentration of each one in the DRA chemical. The 15 ppm by mass
concentration limit is cumulative which means that all the DRA polymer
injected in the same pipeline at various locations (in case of multiple pump
stations) should be added together and not to exceed 15 ppm by mass. More than
15 ppm by mass DRA polymer in gasoline pipelines requires R&DC approval.
10.9 DRA Chemicals in Diesel Pipelines
More than 15 ppm by mass DRA polymer in diesel pipelines requires R&DC
approval. DRA chemical vendor/supplier shall confirm (by an official
document signed by the DRA vendor/supplier) to R&DC and to FASC the
nature of the polymer(s), solvent(s) and any other materials and the
concentration of each one in the DRA chemical. The 15 ppm by mass
concentration limit is cumulative which means that all the DRA polymer
Page 18 of 23
injected in the same pipeline at various locations (in case of multiple pump
stations) should be added together and not to exceed 15 ppm by mass. More than
15 ppm by mass DRA polymer in diesel pipelines requires R&DC approval.
11 Purchase of First-Fill DRA Chemicals by Project Management Teams
11.1 In capital projects where FACs in MSG 148400 such as DRA chemicals are to
be used, the LSTK contractor shall be responsible for the following:
 The purchase of the “first fill” of all such approved chemicals, and agreeing
the QA/QC requirements with the FA RSA and R&DC.
 For ensuring the cleanliness and mechanical operation of the chemical
injection systems as designed.
11.2 The selection of the DRA chemical(s) shall be the responsibility of the
proponent organization, with the concurrence of P&CSD/UPED, and
Purchasing.
11.3 PMT shall provide the operating organization, P&CSD/UPED, and Purchasing
with a letter requesting that DRA chemical vendors submit candidate DRA
chemicals for testing in the various process streams of any new facility. This
letter shall be issued as soon as possible during project construction, but in no
case later than 18 months prior to the originally identified project startup date.
12 Procurement (See Figure 1)
12.1 Figure 1 shall be used as the protocol to follow in the procurement process for
DRA chemicals in MSG 148400.
12.2 Contact the FA RSA/P&CSD and the Standardization Engineer/Materials

Standardization Division/Projects & Strategic Purchasing Department of
Operations Services to resolve technical issues related to Standardization.
The FA RSA may give written approval for substitution of DRA chemicals with
equivalent characteristics and performance. Deviations that do not provide
equivalent performance require waiver approval in accordance with SAEP-302
before issuance of a Purchase Order. For deviations identified after a Purchase
Order is issued, the waiver approval is required prior to shipment.
12.3 Contact the Purchasing Department Buyer for DRA chemicals in MSG 148400
to resolve problems with delivery from vendors.
12.4 Contact R&DC and FA RSA to address QA/QC problems.
Page 19 of 23
12.5 Contact MSG 148400 MRP Controller to resolve issue restriction and phase-
in/phase-out procedures.
13 DRA Chemical Vendors
13.1 Vendor Qualification
A DRA chemical vendor shall be subject to (but not limited to) the following
evaluation protocol before being considered for qualification:
13.1.1 Vendor presentation to FASC,
13.1.2 Responses to the DRA chemical questionnaire developed by the

FASC,
13.1.3 No harm test of vendor DRA product sample(s) by Saudi Aramco

R&DC,
13.1.4 FASC visit to vendor’s DRA manufacturing facilities and their

Customers,
13.1.5 Field trial testing of DRA product on the intended Saudi Aramco
pipeline,
13.1.6 Approval of FASC.
13.2 Approved Vendor List (AVL)
Consult the Purchasing Department Buyer for Flow Assurance Chemicals in

MSG 148400 for this information.
DRA AVL shall be decided and approved by the FASC. The DRA chemicals
AVL is included under 9COM 6000016111.
This AVL is not fixed and can change (increased or decreased approved DRA
chemical vendors) depending on the number of added/deleted of
qualified/disqualified vendors. The AVL shall be updated, approved and added
by the FASC in the nearest next version of this procedure.
13.3 Vendor Test Data
The vendor shall provide, at the request of Saudi Aramco (e.g., Proponent,
R&DC, FASC or FA RSA) independent laboratory test data, internal laboratory
test data, or field case histories to support vendor claims for the performance of
any DRA product that the vendor may request Saudi Aramco to evaluate for its
use.
Page 20 of 23
14 Flow Assurance Standards Committee (FASC)
Name Tel. # Department

Rasheed, Mahmood A
880-9460 Process & Control Systems (P&CSD)
(Chairman)
Adel, Shadi I (Vice Chairman) 880-9466 (P&CSD)
Ge, Jianzhi 880-9458 (P&CSD)
Jain, Arun 880-9461 (P&CSD)
Rithauddeen, Megat A 880-9470 (P&CSD)
Waranbi, Maslat S 880-9582 Consulting Services (CSD)
Dr. David McLeary 876-0621 R&DC
Tawfiq Rowaisheid 876-2252 R&DC
Ajwad, Hassan A 876-8715 R&DC
Noui-Mehidi, Mohamed N 873-7017 EXPEC Advance Research Center
Ahmad S. Al- Khaldi 578-3668 Shaybah Producing
Saif, O A 873-6156 Prod. and Fac. Dev. Dept. (P&FDD)
Burgess, Brian W 378-3241 N. A. Technical Support Dept.
S. A. Producing
Abubakr, Waleed A 872-0427 ER Distribution
CR Distribution
WR Distribution
Khaldi, Ahmad S 578-3578 Shaybah NGL Projects Dept.
Dauwas, Abdullah S 874-0025 Operations Purchasing & Inventory Control
Thaiban, Salem H 874-0455 Projects & Strategic Purchasing (P&SPD)
Shaalan, Mohammed A 874-3054 Oil Supply Planning & Scheduling (OSPAS)
Woshayyeh, Bander A 874-0632 Projects & Strategic Purchasing (P&SPD)
Lu, Jie 880-9381 Facilities Planning (FPD)
Angibeaud, Lionel G 880-9328 Facilities Planning (FPD)
Atisele, Michael N 880-9329 Facilities Planning (FPD)
Masarrat, Syed S 874-1382 Pipelines/ PTSD
Subaei, Abdulwahab S 874-1243 Pipelines/ PTSD
The membership of the FASC will vary from time to time at the discretion of the
Chairman and Saudi Aramco Management. In addition to the FA RSA/P&CSD (who is
sometimes the Chairman as well), there should be at least one representative from each
Page 21 of 23
of the following departments: Pipelines, Eastern Region Distribution, Central Region

Distribution, Western Region Distribution, Northern Area Producing, Southern Area
Producing, Shaybah Producing, Consulting Services (CSD), Purchasing, OSPAS,
R&DC and Facilities Planning (FPD).
Revision Summary
13 July 2015 Major revision to address lesson learned from previous projects when it comes to using DRA
chemicals.
Page 22 of 23
Figure 1 - DRA Chemical Selection Protocol
Vendor proposes DRA Chemicals Saudi Aramco identifies the need

for use to the FA RSA/P&CSD for DRA
Identifying organization contacts

FA RSA polls field/plant for the FA RSA in writing to request
need of the DRA DRA product submission from
vendors
FA RSA contacts DRA Vendors
DRA vendor provides samples to

R&DC via the FA RSA
R&DC, coordinating engineer and

R&DC performs analytical
FA RSA agree on test protocol
laboratory testing
R&DC notifies engineer and

FA RSA of laboratory test results
Chemical and Physical
parameters are established for
future testing
Coordinating engineer and FA
RSA obtains proponent agreement
to conduct plant/field trial
Vendor submits field test

procedure to FA RSA, Proponent,
R&DC and OSPAS
FA RSA, R&DC, Proponent /

Plants and OSPAS approve and
schedule test procedure
Conduct field test with the DRA

Purchasing develops agreement chemical
with FASC -approved vendors FASC and Proponent review/approve
on approved DRA chemicals report, evaluate test results and Vendor submits test report to
determine DRA acceptance performance FA RSA, R&DC and Proponent
index/factor
Proponent initiates MDM

cataloging request and submit to
Materials Control Dept.
Standardization catalogues DRA

product into SAMS
Page 23 of 23

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Engineering Procedure

SAEP-501 13 July 2015

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Figure 1 – DRA Chemical Selection Protocol......... 23

Previous Issue: 26 June 2010 Next Planned Update: 13 July 2018

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2015. All rights reserved.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-119 Preparation of Saudi Aramco Materials System

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

Saudi Aramco Best Practice

Saudi Aramco Engineering Report

Supply Chain Management Manual

3.2 International Standards and Codes

National Fire Protection Association

4 Acronyms and Definitions

AVL: An abbreviation for “Approved Vendor List”. It is a list of the suppliers

DPC: Delivery Point Center

DRA: An abbreviation for Drag Reducing Agent or Additive. It is a chemical that is

DRA Evaluation Committee: A committee chaired by Process & Control Systems

EPA: United States’ Environment Protection Agency.

ES: Engineering Services business line in Saudi Aramco.

Flow Assurance Standards Committee (FASC): A committee established and

FA RSA: An abbreviation for “Flow Assurance Responsible Standardization Agent”.

GPD: Gallons per Day.

Laboratory Testing: The evaluation of chemicals to identify chemicals suitable for

MRP Controller: The Materials Requirement Planning Controller, a position in

MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet.

PDT: Pipelines, Distribution and Terminals

Performance Factor: A number assigned to a DRA chemical and provided to

Phase-in/Phase-out: Are terms used in purchase agreement administration for

PLC: Programmable Logic Controller.

PMT: Project Management Team

QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control): In the context of this document, QA

Qualification Testing: Is testing in accordance with Section 7 to determine if a

R&DC: The Research and Development Center, Dhahran, a department of Technology

RSA: Responsible Standardization Agent.

SAES: Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard.

SAMSS: Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification.

Standardization Engineer - DRA Chemicals: The engineer from Materials

5.1 General Requirements

5.1.2 The DRA chemical vendor and engineering design contractor/vendor

5.2 Field Trial-Test Preparation and Completion Procedure and Responsibility

5.2.1 Qualified DRA chemical vendors should perform a simulation study to

Saudi Aramco (Proponents, Pipelines and OSPAS) shall provide the

5.2.9 At the completion of a DRA chemical study and/or a DRA chemical

The FA RSA is consulted by the Materials Standardization Division and

6.2 Process & Control Systems Department (P&CSD)

field engineers through the FA RSA.

6.2.2 Maintains DRA chemicals control standards and specifications,

6.3 Research & Development Center (R&DC), Dhahran

6.4 Materials Standardization Engineer

Engineer from Materials Standardization of Projects & Strategic Purchasing

6.5 MSG 148400 MRP Controller

6.6 Flow Assurance Standards Committee (FASC)

Establishes appropriate and realistic specifications and QA/QC procedures for

6.7 Operations Engineering Units

Responsible for field/plant trials of FACs, tracking of use, determination of

6.8 Project Management

6.9 Purchasing Department, Buyer of DRA Chemicals in MSG 148400

7 Qualification of New DRA Chemicals

7.1.1 Sample Submission