For onshore applications, standard pipe bending equipment can be used for alignment and fit-up during installation.The high pressure, high temperature reservoir characteristics prevalent in the Far East, coupled with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, have provided United Pipelines, based in Warrington, with an extensive potential market for its corrosion-resistant pipeline pipe.
The bi-metal lined line pipe was developed by the company's chairman in conjunction with H Butting in Germany, where it is manufactured. The line pipe consists of a carbon steel outer pipe with an internal liner pipe made of a corrosion-resistant alloy - such as stainless steel - which is selected to suit individual process conditions.
The advantage of bi-metal lined pipe is that the inner layer of pipe only needs to be a few millimeters thick to provide protection against corrosive media, which results in a cost-effective alternative to pipe made totally of corrosion-resistant alloys.
According to United Pipelines sales and marketing director for the Asian Pacific region, Paul Harlick, the cost advantage has already made the bi-metal line pipe an attractive solution for projects in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea.
The company has experienced some success in Southeast Asia. A letter of intent from Gulf Resources in Indonesia is for 10 kilometers of pipe in 8-in., 10-in. and 12-in. diameters with delivery scheduled for April 1999.
Bi-metal pipe was first supplied in normal random lengths of six meters using a unique hydraulic expansion press. "The reason the pipe is made in Germany is that H Butting already had a press suitable for this application," says Harlick. "Although we already provide welded lengths of pipe as required, a new 12-meter press has just been installed in Germany so we can now provide 12 meter lengths of unwelded pipe." Currently, manufactured sizes come in diameters ranging from 4-in. to 30-in. and plans are under way to extend this range further.
Bi-metal lined pipe complies with international standards and, in addition to corrosion resistance, it has excellent strength characteristics. The pipe also demonstrates improved roundness tolerances which means that perfect on-site fit up can be achieved by pipeline contractors when welding the pipes together - because of the properties involved, the lengths can be joined together using standard welding techniques.
To complement the bi-metal pipe, United Pipelines has also developed a total package of clad products such as bends, flanges and fittings. The company also supplies a full range of corrosion resistant alloy pipes and carbon steel linepipe products.
According to Harlick, the company has experienced considerable growth since its formation five years ago and has recently been recognized as the fastest growing company in the North West of England. "The Far East is a very attractive area for us representing potentially multi-million pound orders," comments Harlick.
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