Qualification Strategy for FAST-Pipe™ for High Pressure Gas Pipelines

Because major reserves for natural gas are often remotely located from potential market, its transportation requires larger diameter pipes operating at high pressures. In order to reduce cost, high strength steels (≥ X80) have been advanced to reduce the wall thickness of the pipeline and thus lower materials, transportation and construction costs. However, producing large diameter high pressure pipelines of these steels creates significant challenges that can only be met by very few steel suppliers. This paper presents the qualification results of an alternative technology that will reduce cost even more than high strength steels while using conventional steel such as X70. This technology, which is designated as Fiber Augmented Steel Technology Pipe (FAST-Pipe™), involves hoop winding dry glass fibers over conventional steel pipes (e.g. X70) to provide the required high pressure capacity. The steel thickness is selected to mainly satisfy axial and bending load requirements. Following a proof-of-concept of the FAST-Pipe™, a detailed qualification program was developed based on a decision and risk analysis strategy that incorporates key elements of the industry technology qualification guidelines (DNV RP A203 and API 17N). The qualification program involved addressing fifteen design, construction and operational parameters. The paper presents the FAST-Pipe™ concept, discusses its advantages and summarizes the results of its qualification program.