Abstract
Pipelines play a critical role in the world-wide demand for energy. Pipeline operators face ever-increasing challenges in operating high-pressure pipelines, and the need for safely and reliably transporting oil and gas products has never been more demanding in terms of our world-wide aging infrastructure. Global expectations associated with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria present even greater challenges for pipeline operators.
The installation of flexible composite pipe offers an alternative to current integrity management practices such as localized repair methods, as well as more invasive methods such as HDD and pipe replacements. In addition to rehabilitating aging pipelines, flexible composite pipe can be used as a means for repurposing existing infrastructure for transporting and storage of non-conventional products like hydrogen and CO2 for carbon sequestration.
With the aging pipeline infrastructures and the world-wide interest in ESG, flexible composite pipe offers an opportunity as a transformational technology to meet the current and future needs of pipeline operators. It is not uncommon for innovative technologies to experience slow adoption. This is especially true in industries that are capital intensive and regulated, such as the transmission pipeline industry.
This paper looks at the use of flexible composite pipe technology on operator systems, the selection criteria involved in determining where installation would be most advantageous to an operator, and the long-term benefits offered by the installation of flexible composite pipe during a time where the ability to navigate through the energy transition towards a carbon neutral industry is critical. Worldwide demand for energy will continue to increase with growth in population and standards of living. As pipeline operators look to the future, flexible composite pipe is sure to play a critical role in ensuring the continued safe operation of high-pressure pipelines.
