Internal (Trenchless) Repair Technology for Gas Transmission Pipelines

Under Development

Edison Welding Institute (EWI) More »

DOE - NETL

Damage Prevention and Mitigation -- Damage Mitigation and Repair

The DOE-funded project develops and evaluates internal repair methods for pipelines by performing a laboratory demonstration of internal repair and specifications for a prototype system. The system performs combined internal inspection and repair of pipelines. Four technologies (fiber-reinforced composite liner repair, deposited weld metal repair, adhesively bonded steel patch repair, and adhesively bonded/helically wound steel strip repair) were reviewed and evaluated.

Internal repair technology which could restore the pressure carrying capability of a damaged natural gas pipeline offers the potential for substantial impact for the gas industry. Adhesively bonded/helically wound steel strip repair was the most promising technology evaluated, not only because of its apparent ability to restore a damaged pipe section’s burst pressure to beyond that corresponding to 100% of the specified minimum yield strength (SMYS), but also because it lends itself well to field deployment and the material itself is inexpensive.

Increased Safety - Minimize the significant costs associated with the excavation and external repair or replacement of a suspect area. This is particularly true in lines where access by external means is difficult (e.g., water, railroad and road crossings). Such technology potentially offers an opportunity to better maintain natural gas infrastructure and enhances reliability and safety of gas delivery by reducing the likelihood of a product loss event by providing an alternative to traditional repair methods.

Internal Repair of Pipelines, Final Technical Report, NETL-DOE, Award No.: DE-FC26-02NT41633, 2006.