Coating Transmission Pipeline for Arctic Conditions: Trial Shows Promise

The TransCanada Pipelines Limited company is the leading North American energy company, with a pipeline network of 41,000 km that transports most of Western Canada’s natural gas production to markets in Canada and the United States. This article discusses the coating aspects of TransCanada’s newest pipeline demonstration project, the Godin Lake Loop, which was installed in February 2004. The Godin Project, a 3.6 km section of NPS 36 diameter, is looped with the Peerless Lake Project, which consists of 17.7 km of NPS 24 diameter x 70 line pipe near the community of Wabasca, in Northern Alberta, Canada. The main purpose of the Godin Lake Loop project was to demonstrate the effectiveness of high-strength steels and a high-integrity coating system as an economical solution for pipeline construction and operation in an Arctic environment. The authors note that TransCanada selected a high performance composite coating (HPCC) for the Godin Loop. The system was applied and tested in the shop, and the fully coated pipe was installed successfully in temperatures as low as –45 deg C (-49 deg F). Joint systems and repair materials were also applied successfully in the field. The authors discuss coating selection, selection of repair and joint protection materials, the development and structure of HPCC, the shop application process for the Godin Loop Project, pre-qualification testing, construction issues (including handling and bending, girth weld coating, and coating repairs), and future development. The authors conclude that the superior mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of the HPCC can result in cost savings during construction and the use of a powder coating application process for the entire system provides necessary versatility. In the Godin Project, very little damage on the coating was observed during unloading, stringing, and bending, even at very low temperatures during construction.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/87551985
• Authors:
  • SINGH, P
  • Haberer, S
  • Gritis, N
  • Worthingham, R G
  • Cetiner, M
• Publication Date: 2006-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p 24-30
• Serial:
  • Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Technology Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 8755-1985

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anticorrosion coatings; Cold weather construction; Corrosion resistance; Cost effectiveness; Frigid regions; High strength steel; Joints; Natural gas pipelines; Protective coatings
• Identifier Terms: Godin Lake Loop Project
• Uncontrolled Terms: High performance composite coatings
• Geographic Terms: Alberta
• Subject Areas: Design; Maintenance and Preservation; Pipelines;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01031989
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 5 2006 7:51AM