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Deploying an Innovative Method to Protect Pipelines During Excavation and Enhance Combating Corrosion

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a key risk to oil and gas infrastructure and confers great cost to asset owners. The AMPP 2021 IMPACT Canada study, which analyzed the energy, manufacturing, and mining sectors, shows the cost of corrosion in Canada is roughly $51.9 billion per year. To break this down further, MIC is estimated to make up roughly 20% of all corrosion which is roughly $10.4 billion in Canada alone, each year.

Product Number: MECC23-19929-SG
Author: Mahmoud A. Dweib; Syed K. Ahmed
Publication Date: 2023
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00

When building a new pipeline, there is a need to work close to existing piping systems that are live and carrying flammable hydrocarbon fluids. Some of those pipes are steel and some are nonmetallic composite pipes. Although all live pipes are vulnerable and can be damaged during excavation to build a crossing pipeline or cable. Nonmetallic pipes that are made of thermosetting resin and glass fibers are much easier to be damaged due to impact and can cause future failures in service, even if they were not live during excavation. To address this problem and to protect existing pipes, a protection method was designed, prototyped and successfully deployed. This method consists of a covering tool of 1.5 meters long, or longer as needed, placed firmly over the existing pipe to protect it from any direct impact resulting from external forces while excavation is in progress. The cover consists of two halves, on the top and bottom of the pipe fastened together using stud bolts. The weight of this cover is supported independently from the pipeline being protected. The two ends of the cover sit on the ground and steel dowels can be used to hold the cover in place around the pipe and to resist any movement that may apply load on the pipe. This protection system encourages the use of nonmetallic composite pipes that are primarily used to combat corrosion. This technology also protects coating on steel pipe to prevent corrosion. The method is granted as a US patent # 11,549,633 for Saudi Aramco.

When building a new pipeline, there is a need to work close to existing piping systems that are live and carrying flammable hydrocarbon fluids. Some of those pipes are steel and some are nonmetallic composite pipes. Although all live pipes are vulnerable and can be damaged during excavation to build a crossing pipeline or cable. Nonmetallic pipes that are made of thermosetting resin and glass fibers are much easier to be damaged due to impact and can cause future failures in service, even if they were not live during excavation. To address this problem and to protect existing pipes, a protection method was designed, prototyped and successfully deployed. This method consists of a covering tool of 1.5 meters long, or longer as needed, placed firmly over the existing pipe to protect it from any direct impact resulting from external forces while excavation is in progress. The cover consists of two halves, on the top and bottom of the pipe fastened together using stud bolts. The weight of this cover is supported independently from the pipeline being protected. The two ends of the cover sit on the ground and steel dowels can be used to hold the cover in place around the pipe and to resist any movement that may apply load on the pipe. This protection system encourages the use of nonmetallic composite pipes that are primarily used to combat corrosion. This technology also protects coating on steel pipe to prevent corrosion. The method is granted as a US patent # 11,549,633 for Saudi Aramco.