Pipeline contractors have a dirty job. While some may handle the laying of the pipeline and supervise its positioning, others perform their tasks later. They provide the services that keep the pipeline in operating condition. While not part of the daily schedule, such contractors are called in to help discover and prevent pipeline degradation. In order for them to be able to treat potential issues, they first need to understand completely the factors behind pipeline degradation.
Contributing Causes of Pipeline Degradation
Pipeline companies need to hire contractors to ensure the pipeline remains in excellent working condition. They know no pipeline is capable of lasting forever. They fall prey to a variety of forces as the environment and its elements act upon the exterior of the pipe to erode it. Whether over or under land, the conditions can and do alter to produce what may be a corrosive environment.
While the environment is the major culprit, others may contribute to the ongoing process or pipeline degradation. These include:
* Pipe Coatings: The longevity of the pipe’s protection against the elements depends to a large extent upon the type of coating applied. Pipeline companies have employed everything from coal tar to fusion bond epoxy to prevent the exposure of the pipe
* Soil conditions: The soil e.g. type, temperature, drainage and electrical conductivity, plays a major role into whether such measures as cathodic protection and coatings will be effective or succumb to serious wear and tear.
* Temperature: Both the temperatures of the soil and that of the pipe will have an effect on how fast a pipe can deteriorate. Pipeline contractors are well aware of the implications of the overt difference in temperature between liquid and gas pipelines
* Stresses: Residual, external and/or secondary stresses may act upon the pipe to produce premature degradation
* Pipe pressure: When pressure is exerted on a pipe, cracking occurs. This form of corrosion increases in proportion to the increase in pressure on the pipe
* Cyclic loads: When pipeline pressure fluctuates, it can have a negative impact upon the pipe. It may actually increase the stress/cracking growth rate
A pipeline contractor and other operators need to understand the potential forces that will interact with the environment of the pipe. By informing his or herself in advance, it is possible to keep ahead of the issues and possible thwart any pipeline accidents resulting from corrosion.
Pipeline Contractors
As pipelines age, they will corrode and present a clear danger to the public. In order to ensure pipeline integrity remains strong, it is important for both pipeline operators and companies to understand the risk. To help manage the potential for degradation occurring, pipeline contractors need to have a complete understanding of the factors involved in the process. Only then can they do their job, performing inspections, testing and repairs and/or rehabilitation, therefore preventing the occurrence of a major incident.
