Construction and Installation of X100 Pipelines

Author(s):  
Alan Glover ◽  
David Horsley ◽  
David Dorling ◽  
Junichiro Takehara

The developments of gas fields are increasingly occurring in more remote locations and further from the prime gas demands. Pipeline activity continues to focus on arctic regions of both Canada and the United States. Cost effective solutions to these challenges can be found through innovative technology and the use of higher pressure and higher strength pipelines. TransCanada and its partners have been involved in a series of technology programs on high strength steels, particularly X100, that are focussed on its application for high pressure long distance pipelines. In order to evaluate this technology two field installations of X100 have been performed on the TransCanada system within Alberta. These installations have evaluated the summer and winter construction aspects of X100 pipelines. This paper will describe the work performed to enable the two projects to occur, and the results of the installation. The summer project occurred on the Westpath loop, and consisted of 1 km of NPS 48 by 14.3 mm X100 and was installed in September 2002. The winter project was on the Godin Lake Loop and consisted of 2 km of NPS 36 by 13.2 mm X100 and will be installed in February 2004. The paper will describe the approach taken to the pipe development and the properties required, the requirements for a strain-based design, the fracture control plan, and the welding requirements. Discussion will cover the installations and construction and the conclusions in terms of future projects. The role of code and regulatory bodies in the successful implementation will be covered.

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Starr ◽  
Calin-Cristian Cormos ◽  
Evangelos Tzimas ◽  
Stathis Peteves

A hydrogen energy system will require the production of hydrogen from coal-based gasification plants and its transmission through long distance pipelines at 70 � 100 bar. To overcome some problems of current gasifiers, which are limited in pressure capability, two options are explored, in-plant compression of the syngas and compression of the hydrogen at the plant exit. It is shown that whereas in-plant compression using centrifugal machines is practical, this is not a solution when compressing hydrogen at the plant exit. This is because of the low molecular weight of the hydrogen. It is also shown that if centrifugal compressors are to be used in a pipeline system, pressure drops will need to be restricted as even an advanced two-stage centrifugal compressor will be limited to a pressure ratio of 1.2. High strength steels are suitable for the in-plant compressor, but aluminium alloy will be required for a hydrogen pipeline compressor.


Author(s):  
Tarun Nanda ◽  
Vishal Singh ◽  
Virender Singh ◽  
Arnab Chakraborty ◽  
Sandeep Sharma

The automobile industry is presently focusing on processing of advanced steels with superior strength–ductility combination and lesser weight as compared to conventional high-strength steels. Advanced high-strength steels are a new class of materials to meet the need of high specific strength while maintaining the high formability required for processing, and that too at reasonably low cost. First and second generation of advanced high-strength steels suffered from some limitations. First generation had high strength but low formability while second generation possessed both strength and ductility but was not cost effective. Amongst the different types of advanced high-strength steels grades, dual-phase steels, transformation-induced plasticity steels, and complex phase steels are considered as very good options for being extended into third generation advanced high-strength steels. The present review presents the various processing routes for these grades developed and discussed by different authors. A novel processing route known as quenching and partitioning route is also discussed. The review also discusses the resulting microstructures and mechanical properties achieved under various processing conditions. Finally, the key findings with regards to further research required for the processing of advanced high-strength steels of third generation have been discussed.


Author(s):  
Hans-Georg Hillenbrand ◽  
Andreas Liessem ◽  
Karin Biermann ◽  
Carl Justus Heckmann ◽  
Volker Schwinn

The increasing demand for natural gas will further influence the type of its transportation in the future, both from the strategic and economic point of view. Long-distance pipelines are a safe and economic means to transport the gas from production sites to end users. High-strength steels in grade X80 are nowadays state of the art. Grade X100 was recently developed but not yet utilised. The present-day technical limitations on the production of X120 line pipe namely the steel composition, the pipe forming and the welding are addressed in this paper. Production test results on X120 pipes are presented to describe the materials properties. A low carbon and low PCM steel with VNbTiB microalloying concept is used. In the plate rolling the main attention is turned to the heavy accelerated cooling. The large spring back that occurs during the U-forming step of the UOE process is one of the most complex aspects in forming X120. To handle this aspect FEM calculations were used to modify the forming parameters and to optimise the shape of the U-press tool. For optimising the existing welding procedure with respect to an avoidance of HAZ softening, a low heat input welding technology and new welding consumables were developed.


Author(s):  
Alan Glover ◽  
Joe Zhou ◽  
Brian Blair

Traditional pipeline technology will be severely challenged as developments continue in arctic regions. Cost-effective solutions to these challenges can be found through innovative technology and its implementation. TransCanada PipeLines has been involved in a series of technology programs that have been implemented in challenging climates including permafrost. In addition TransCanada is also involved in ongoing programs whose aim is to reduce the cost of Northern pipelines whilst at the same time provide structural assurance and reliability. This paper will describe the overall approach to developing cost-effective solutions and how these programs are interconnected. The topics to be covered will include the approach to strain-based design and how TransCanada has been taking advantage of the approach in its implementation of higher strength steels. The work also includes the approach taken in terms of the design for the effect of mismatch between the pipe and weld metal properties. The strain-based approach is also being extended to a structural reliability methodology and the work conducted to date will be briefly discussed. A significant portion of the design of a Northern pipeline relies on the development of a frost heave-thaw settlement methodology and the current philosophy and its validation will be discussed. A prime consideration of the regulatory bodies is the assurance of structural integrity and fracture control plans. The work currently ongoing at TransCanada on fracture safe behaviour will be discussed. Additional discussion on construction related topics will be covered including welding, buoyancy control, directional drilling and trenching.


Author(s):  
Rashid Khan ◽  
Tasneem Pervez ◽  
Omar S. Al-Abri ◽  
Majid Al-Maharbi

Advanced high strength steels cover a vast range of applications more specifically in aerospace and oil industry where large deformation of a material is desired in order to attain a specified shape and geometry of the product. The main reason behind their successful implementation is having an optimum combination of strength and formability. Austenite based twinning induced plasticity steel lies in the second generation and has excellent strength-cum-formability combination among the group of advanced high strength steels. The stress assisted phase transformation from austenite to martensite, which is known as twinning, found to be principal reason behind an enhancement of these properties. This work is aimed to investigate an elastic-plastic behavior of an austenite dominated steel, which undergoes slip and mechanical twinning modes of deformation. Initially, a micromechanical model of twining induced plasticity phenomenon is developed using crystal plasticity theory. Then, the developed model is numerically implemented into finite element software ABAQUS through a user-defined material sub-routine. Finally, finite element simulations are done for single and poly-crystal austenite subjected to combined load. This replicates the complex loading condition which exists in material forming processes like pipe expansion, extrusion, rolling. The variation in stress-strain response, magnitude of shear strain, and volume fraction of twinned martensite are plotted and analyzed.


Author(s):  
Mamdouh M. Salama

A key imperative to the transportation of natural gas for long distance is the continued technological advances to reduce the development and life cycle cost of high pressure gas pipeline while maintaining the required high level of safety, reliability and environmental stewardship. Therefore, advances in high strength steels such as X100 and X120 have been pursued by several companies. This paper presents an alternative solution namely FAST-Pipe™ (Fiber Augmented Steel Technology - Pipe). The FAST-Pipe™ Concept involves wrapping a conventional strength steel pipe (X70) whose thickness is selected to satisfy axial and bending load requirement with dry fiberglass to achieve the pressure load requirement. The FAST-Pipe™ offers several technical and economical advantages over High strength steel concepts. The paper presents the results of the proof of concept validation program that included cost analysis and performance testing. The paper also summarizes the results of the rigorous qualification program that was implemented subsequent to the successful results of the proof of concept phase.


Author(s):  
R. Oro ◽  
M. Jaliliziyaeian ◽  
J. Dunkley ◽  
C. Gierl-Mayer ◽  
H. Danninger

The combination of alloying elements in the form of a masteralloy (MA) powder gives the possibility to protect oxygen-sensitive elements against oxidation and to promote the formation of a liquid phase that enhances the sintering mechanisms. As compared to the prealloying approach, the MA route has lower impact on compressibility and provides more flexibility in the selection ofthe final composition. Knowledge of the chemical aspects of sintering combined with the possibility to tailor the properties of sintered steels through the use of specific MA compositions and with the development of novel atomizing methods to produce MA powders may, in the near future, position the MA approach as a very interesting alternative to conventional alloying methods. In this work, sintered steels containing cost-effective Fe–Mn–Si masteralloysare processed at increasing temperatures in the range between 1120 and 1300 °C. The combination with different base powders provides a good overview of the properties that can be obtained with this alloying approach. Besides, the evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties as a function of temperature allow understanding the real benefits of increasing the sintering temperature, in order to find an appropriate balance between the economic requirements and the material performance.


Author(s):  
M. A. Budnichenko ◽  
L. M. Vainer ◽  
L. E. Berezansky

At JSC “PO “Sevmash” a technology of cold bending for ship hull parts from high-strength steels and alloys has been developed by the method of local deformation. A material science substantiation of its implementation has been given. In addition to the practical positive side of parts manufacturing, the local deformation is cost-effective and can significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing parts.


Author(s):  
Sankaran Subramaniam ◽  
Ramakrishna Koganti ◽  
Armando Joaquin

Weldability is a critical enabler for application of new grades of steel, which have found widespread applications in the auto industry to meet new safety regulations and reduce weight of vehicles. There are a wide variety of these grades of steel which are being used across the industry. Even within a OEM the number of material and gauge combinations becomes quite large. This requires a considerable amount of testing to prove out welding feasibility of these steels. This paper discusses the use of a finite element method (FEM) to model spot welding of DP600 and correlates the results with experiments. Improved accuracy and confidence in these tools can provide a way to better understand the physics of the process and improve the weldability of these steels in a cost effective manner.


Author(s):  
Ce´line Sches ◽  
Roy Shilling ◽  
Steve Shademan ◽  
Jacky Massaglia ◽  
Mike Payne ◽  
...  

BP is currently looking at the next generation of dry tree development projects in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater operating region. Some HPHT wells call for the design of 15 ksi or greater riser systems with sour service requirements. Over the last 10 years, NACE compliant high strength steels (HSS) together with fatigue resistant threaded and coupled connectors have proved to be reliable technical solutions top tensioned riser (TTR). Today their light weight and increased performance capabilities enable cost effective dry tree systems for water depths up to 10,000 feet. In the frame of BP xHPHT development projects, the design and qualification of Heavy Wall Threaded and Coupled (T&C) riser connectors for TTR applications was launched. Comprehensive development programs were built, involving numerous design variations, Finite Element Analysis evaluation and optimization — including parametric studies —, followed by intensive full scale static and fatigue testing campaigns. Those developments benefited from the design and field running experience accumulated with previous TTR projects, where innovative fatigue enhancement techniques and premium fatigue compliant sealing devices were engineered. In addition, combined static, dynamic and corrosion testing of base material is being conducted to assess and qualify the fatigue resistance of HSS up to 140 ksi under those conditions. This paper will present results and conclusions from these developments and will report the performance levels reached by Heavy Wall High Pressure T&C riser connectors and the associated high strength base material. Forward work plans on riser connectors for xHPHT, SCR and flowlines will also be discussed.


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