Pipelines International

December 2009

From the Editor

It seems a paradox: 10–15 years ago, as intelligent inspection was developing and the science was coming into its own, a major point of discussion was to do with the technology itself.

TransCanada supersizes Keystone project

TransCanada is seeking regulatory approvals in Canada and the United States to construct and operate a 3,200km expansion of its 3,456km Keystone Pipeline, which would make it one of the largest oil delivery systems in North America.

IP Pipeline moves forward after much discussion

Iran has completed a major portion of the construction work on the Iran – Pakistan (IP) Pipeline project with the gas pipeline to reach the Iran – Pakistan border within the next few months, according to the Iranian Consul General based in Pakistan, Masoud Mohammad Zamani.

Technological breakthrough crucial for Second West - East Gas Pipeline

China National Petroleum Corporation’s (CNPC) intensive research and development programme has been integral in the construction of its Second West – East Gas Pipeline.

South Stream: providing more gas to Europe

Europe’s energy demand continues to grow, with an additional 205 billion cubic metres of natural gas estimated to be required by 2030. Gazprom’s South Stream Pipeline will make an important contribution to improving Europe’s energy security.

Peru to complete Camisea pipeline expansion ahead of schedule

The Camisea Gas Pipeline, commissioned in August 2004, will increase its capacity by 43 per cent by the end of 2009, according to the Peruvian Minister of Energy and Mines, Pedro Sanchez Gamarra.

Egyptian pipeline complete

The Upper Egypt Gas Pipeline reached the governorates of Minya, Assiut and Sohag in August this year and the final stage was completed in November, bringing gas to Aswan homes and businesses for the first time.

Project briefs

Fayetteville Express Pipeline

Pipes & People

Name change for Statoilhydro

Enagás: expanding pipelines in Europe

Operator of Spain’s natural gas pipeline system Enagás continues to develop its transmission pipeline network, recently completing the complex Peninsula – Baleares Pipeline project. Here, the company talks about the project and its plans for future pipeline expansions.

Pipeline development in the land of the free

BJ Lowe, Clarion, Houston, USA and Lyndsie Mewett, Associate Editor

The United States of America boasts well established oil and natural gas pipeline systems, which are continuing to grow with the proposal and construction of more pipelines across the country. Pipelines International takes a look at some of the major projects in the pipeline.

REX appeal: pipeline construction in the Rockies

The Rockies Express Pipeline, or REX, crosses eight states and travels approximately 2,735 km. Beginning in Colorado and ending in eastern Ohio, the REX project is one of the largest natural gas pipelines constructed in North America over the last 25 years.

Protecting pipelines in mountain areas

Vlad Popovici, Bredero Shaw, Toronto, Canada

Steel transmission pipelines going through mountain areas often face significant risks during their construction and service life. One of the biggest challenges is to protect the pipe and its external coatings against mechanical damage from impact and penetration.

Canadian perspective: a goal-oriented approach to regulating pipelines

Encouraging a goal-oriented approach, eliminating hydrotesting and moving toward a more streamlined approach to regulating Canada/United States cross border pipelines are some of the issues currently being addressed by the National Energy Board of Canada. Pipelines International recently caught up with Professional Leader – Engineering Dr Alan Murray to talk about the issues currently facing Canada’s pipeline regulator.

Environmental navigation of German landfall and modelling pull-back operations

John Tiratsoo

Environmental considerations for pipeline construction are discussed in the latest edition of Pipelines International’s sister publication The Journal of Pipeline Engineering (JPE). Here, Editor-in-Chief John Tiratsoo outlines articles discussing the Nord Stream Pipeline project and horizontal directional drilling construction methods.

GDK: innovative pipeline construction on GASTAU

GDK is currently completing construction on Petrobras’ GASTAU Project, which includes a 28 inch diameter, 97 km natural gas pipeline extension running from the north coast of Brazil to 760 m elevated plains between the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Pipeline link constructed in central Australia

Epic Energy recently completed construction of the QSN Link Pipeline, which for the first time directly links the sales gas systems in Queensland, Australia, to both New South Wales and South Australia.

Pipelayers and sidebooms: the essential pipeline machinery

Pipelayers and sidebooms are an integral piece of machinery on any pipeline construction site. There are many machines currently available to choose from, and issues such as safety and the environment are driving further developments within the industry.

Pipelaying with the PL61

The Caterpillar PL61 pipelayer provides 40,000 lb lift capacity and the capability to meet pipeline contractor requirements, with improved control, transportability, operator comfort, visibility and durability.

Optimal identification: getting up close with ID anomalies

Steffen Paeper, Daniel Molenda (PhD) and Johannes Palmer, Rosen Technology & Research Center, Germany

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that mechanical pipeline defects such as dents must be reported. Operators often find it particularly challenging to effectively assess such ID anomalies.

GE’s MagneScan inspects Normandy pipeline

Martin Bluck, Product Line Leader, GE Oil & Gas, PII Pipeline Solutions

Establishing a technical benchmark in pipeline security and environmental protection, GDF Suez’s wholly-owned gas transmission system operator, GRTgaz, has completed its first project with the new MagneScan in-line inspection system.

Prickly pigging: PipeWay’s Porcupine reaches the international market

PipeWay’s Porcupine ultra high resolution technology has been developed to solve some of the limitations of magnetic flux leakage and ultrasonic technology that affects detection and definition of internal defects on pipeline systems.

PPSA: providing squeaky clean pigging advice

The Pigging Products and Services Association plays a major role in promoting the knowledge of pipeline pigging and related products and services.

Ensuring pipeline integrity: talking pigging in Houston

Houston, Texas, will be abuzz with pipeline pigging in February 2010, with the annual Pipeline Pigging & Integrity Management Conference and Exhibition gearing up to be a great success.

5 simple steps to total valve integrity

Jason Chisholm, Sealweld Corporation

Careful handling and storage of valves prior to installation, as well as following correct procedures during construction and commissioning, ensures a more efficient and safe pipeline, with less chance of lost production and failed isolations. This article outlines five steps to follow for a healthy valve.

A place for science in pipeline design

John Tiratsoo, Editor-in-Chief

The advantages of X80 pipe, importance of drop-weight tear tests and new welding processes were topics high on the agenda at the Pipeline Technology Conference held in Ostend, Belgium, during October 2009.

CTDUT: a model for sharing facilities and costs in research and development

Arthur Braga, Executive Director, CTDUT, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Any dedicated facility for pipeline industry testing has high costs of construction, operation, and maintenance, and few companies can afford this structure without imposing extensive costs on their customers. Centro Tecnologia em Dutos (CTDUT) has been formed to offer such a service to pipeline owners and operators.

Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline

The 2,340 km Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline, which was constructed between 1978 and 1983 to bring natural gas from Algeria to Italy, involved the deepest subsea pipeline installation at the time. More than a quarter of a century on, Pipelines International reflects on the achievement.

Products & Services

Learn to weld with Lincoln Electric’s virtual welding system

Pipeline carnival in Rio!

John Tiratsoo, Editor-in-Chief

The biennial Rio Pipeline Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Instituto Brasileiro de Petroleo Gas e Biocombustiveis (IBP) in association with ASME, was held on 22–24 September 2009. Pipelines International Editor-in-Chief John Tiratsoo reports.

Evaluating different rehabilitation approaches

Over 60 per cent of the world’s major oil and gas transmission pipelines are now more than 40 years old– leaving some operators to face stark choices: to rehabilitate, or to replace? Held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, the Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Pipelines Conference and Exhibition addressed this difficult question.

Pipeline Technology Conference: a scientific update from Ostend

The high-level programme at the Pipeline Technology Conference – this year, of 117 papers – is renowned worldwide as the foremost opportunity to learn about the latest developments and approaches being employed in high-pressure transmission pipeline design, materials and welding research.

APCE: pipeline success in South East Asia

The event was held at the Sutera Harbour Resort, Sabah, and attracted approximately 150 participants.

Australian industry gathers in northern Australia

The most prestigious Australian pipeline event of the year – the Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) Convention was held between 17–20 October in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

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Pipelines International

December 2009

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