Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
Pipelines need integrity monitoring programs as per ERCB directive 77.
This means there is a documented procedure that the company has to follow. Its requirements are outlined in the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) pipeline code which is developed by a combination of industry and regulatory experts.
Generally the plan consists of a corrosion monitoring program including pigging, spill monitoring and prevention, clean up plans if their are spills. You would base replacement on your pigging results. They should show a corrosion trends which allow you to esitmate the lifespan of the pipes.
Someone earlier in the thread said this was flexpipe which is a plastic pipe product which generally isnt subject to corrosion and should have a 25 year lifespan.
Edit: not necessarily flexpipe which is a specific brand. Apache is saying it was a "premium flex line that was coated inside and out”.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle12536856/
Since it isnt that old I wonder if it was a material compatibility issue as some of these plastic pipe products are not designed for trace hydrocarbons because they weaken the plastic. Its likely a material compatibility issue or an installation issue. |
In the last little while there has been a higher number of failures with these types of lines (flexpipe, fiberspar etc..) when it comes to water injection. The failures in most cases are caused by a combination of construction damage aggravated by high pressure and the cycle service the pumps are ran (off/on rather than steady flow) .
In fairness to the ERCB they have been requesting audits on fiberglass lines that are used on water injection, where they want producers to pressure test their lines, as well as providing construction records and operational procedures. We had 3 of these specific lines tested last year. Its unfortunate this one was caught before hand.
The problem with these lines is in a lot of cases when companies put them in 5-10 years ago they were using traditional pipe-lining companies who are used to steel pipes to install them with little experience with fiberglass lines and the hazards involved.