Selecting appropriate pipeline coatings happens early in a project’s life cycle and is a critical decision.
The pipeline route and operating conditions should be assessed to understand the unique environment and risks which should be minimized at each stage of the life cycle. Different locations along the pipeline route may require a unique combination of coating systems.
Local environmental conditions such as extreme weather, ground conditions and rock slides can all impact the coating system integrity prior to installation.
Selection of the right coating ensures the pipeline goes into the ground in pristine condition.
The appropriate pipeline coating helps ensure that operations continue safely and reliably for the duration of their design life—typically greater than 50 years—even in the toughest conditions.
Best Available Coating Solutions
Over the last 60 years, Shawcor has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges of working in the most strenuous Canadian environments.
We’ve taken everything we’ve learned and developed the best available pipeline protection anywhere.
Others in our industry are focused primarily on producing high-quality steel pipe. At Shawcor, research, innovation, development and application of pipeline coating is our business. Our main focus is providing the best coating solutions available for pipeline projects.
Fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) and double layer fusion bonded epoxy (DLFBE) are high-performance anti-corrosion coatings that provide excellent protection in the right situations.
Typically these systems are used in Prairie or non-mountainous/rocky regions where the coating would not be exposed to acidic rock conditions.
A detailed review is necessary to understand the conditions and risks associated with anti-corrosion coatings in more aggressive environments. The chart below shows how anti-corrosion coatings measure up against different conditions in rocky terrain during the life cycle of a pipeline.
High Performance Powder Coating (HPPC) is an advanced powder-based system that represents the latest technology in anti-corrosion systems.
HPPC is specifically designed for the environmental and physical conditions present in Western Canada, including cold winters when many pipelines are constructed and installed. It effectively protects oil and gas pipelines in environments where excellent physical protection, moisture and corrosion resistance are required.
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Property |
FBE |
DLFBE |
HPPC |
Store/ Load |
Moisture Resistance |
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UV Resistance |
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Construct/ Install |
Bendability |
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Impact Resistance in Cold Weather |
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Gouge Resistance |
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Buried in Rock Trenches with No Padding |
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Operate/ Maintain |
Acidic Soil Environment |
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Wear Resistance |
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Not Recommended
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Use with Caution
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Satisfactory
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Good
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Excellent
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In addition to anti-corrosion protection, mechanical coating protects pipe from physical damage during handling, transportation, construction, installation and operation.
Shawcor’s Rock Jacket® (RJ) offers superior mechanical protection to the anti-corrosion coating and steel pipe.
Rock Jacket® is a reinforced concrete pipe coating developed specifically for rocky terrain, rough terrain configurations such as steep slopes, and for road and river crossings. It has been designed to be buried directly in blasted out rock trenches and is ideal for both small and large diameter pipelines.
The chart below shows how anti-corrosion coatings with Rock Jacket® measure up against different conditions during the life cycle of a pipeline.
In some pipeline conditions where coatings are exposed to acidic rock, FBE and DLFBE, even with RJ, may not be suitable.
LIFE CYCLE TECHNOLOGY FIT AND RELATIVE RISK ILLUSTRATION |
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PROJECT RISKS | Anti-Corrosion and Mechanical Protection | |||||||
FBE/RJ |
DLFBE/RJ | HPPC/RJ | ||||||
Terrain |
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Geology/ Acidic Rock |
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Environmental Conditions |
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Operating Conditions/ Exposure to Acidic Rock |
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Logistics/ Construction |
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Life Cycle Cost Effectiveness |
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Life Cycle Technology Fit | Not Recommended | Not Recommended | Excellent |