Tools and Methods for Internal Pipe Coating Evaluation for Gas Transmission Systems

Abstract

The option of internally coating a new pipeline, or a section of an existing pipeline has emerged in recent years as competition in the energy marketplace grows more intense and coating technologies have advanced from 100% solvent-base to 100% dry-based. Internally coated pipes would mean additional capital cost, but will result in lower pressure losses, hence lower compression power, lower fuel consumption and lower emission. Therefore, there is a trade-off that needs to be assessed, which is the subject of the present paper. The present paper first provides a proposed standardized method to report the internal wall roughness parameters that could be used to compare bare vs. different coating technologies in a consistent manner. The second part of the paper focuses on evaluating the impact and performance of internal coatings on flow efficiency in energy transmission pipeline systems. A tool and methods were developed to evaluate all of the various options specific to internal pipe coating (including bare pipe option) using a Life Cycle Cost (LCC) economic tool developed for this purpose. The incremental Cumulative Present Value Cost of Service (iCPVCOS) associated with the application of the various coating technologies, as well as quantification of the relative benefits of each compared to a bare pipe, are the main outcome of the tool. This provides an impetus to sound design and selection of the most cost effective technology for internally coating the pipes, whether for new or existing pipeline systems. Examples of various scenarios involving a 2900 km pipeline coated using different internal coating technologies are discussed.