Composites are a proven solution for repairing pipelines experiencing internal and external corrosion, dents, erosion, and other defects without downtime or costly replacement. However, just as no two repairs are exactly alike, no one repair solution fits all. Composite repairs are most effective when certain conditions are met, which is important to consider when thinking about how to apply composites in offshore settings. Ask yourself the following questions to determine a) if composites are the best option for your situation, and b) how to select the right composite repair system for an offshore application.
Why might composites be a good fit for offshore settings?
Composites are a good option for offshore applications because they are quick to install, reduce or completely avoid service downtime, provide structural reinforcement and corrosion prevention, and can be installed on challenging pipe geometries, such as on/around elbows, reducers, and flanges. They are also lighter than conventional repair methods (i.e. steel sleeves), which is ideal for offshore structures.
In what situations do composites provide a better repair solution than conventional repair options?
In certain repair scenarios, composites are the obvious choice, such as for repairs on or around elbows, reduces, or flanges. The complex geometry can make conventional clamps and steel sleeves ineffective. Because composites have a flexible application that locks into the necessary shape after curing, they can provide more comprehensive coverage compared to sleeves or clamps.
However, pipe geometry is not the only determining factor. Composites might be the better repair choice if their associated benefits, such as avoiding service downtime, are imperative to the project.
What should be considered when selecting a composite repair system design?
If you’ve decided that a composite repair is the best solution for you, the next step is to select the right system for your specific situation. The right system depends on multiple factors, including but not limited to the required cure temperature of the resin, the characteristics of the feature that needs repair, and the geographic location of the pipeline. If you are repairing corrosion, you’ll want to understand the different challenges and implications associated with internal and external corrosion, and how that dictates the selection of the right composite repair system.
How does cure temperature affect composite repairs in offshore applications?
Composite repair systems that require elevated cure temperatures may require curing ovens or radiant heaters, which you might want to avoid in the offshore environment. Therefore, composites that cure at ambient temperatures are likely the best option for offshore.
However, not all ambient temperatures are created equal. An offshore structure located in the Arctic will have a much colder ambient temperature, and composite repairs installed in that region may require additional heating. In that case, tools such as heating blankets could be used to reach the required curing temperature.
How are composite repairs different for internal corrosion compared to external corrosion?
In a 2008 report from PHMSA, more corrosion failures were reported per mile in gas transmission pipelines offshore than onshore, with 97% of those failures occurring due to internal corrosion. Therefore, the need for proper repair and mitigation of internal corrosion is obviously important to offshore operations.
While repairs for external corrosion structurally reinforce the pipeline and provide a corrosion barrier to prevent further degradation, internal corrosion is more complex. Composites are not directly applied to internal corrosion like they are for external corrosion. However, composites can still be used effectively to offer long-lasting remediation for internal corrosion. For example, our CF-500 BD carbon fiber and 210 HT saturing resin is a great option for repairing pipes with internal corrosion or through wall failure because it provides a permanent repair, long-term structural reinforcement, and cures at ambient temperatures.
What resources are available to learn more about composite repairs?
Offshore applications of composite repairs offer distinct and interesting challenges. We’ve selected only a few of the key considerations to review here, but there is much more that can be discussed. If you’re interested in learning more about the capacity of composites in offshore applications, contact us with your questions and comments.
Composites in Offshore Applications: Overview of Key Considerations & Challenges
Composites are a proven solution for repairing pipelines experiencing internal and external corrosion, dents, erosion, and other defects without downtime or costly replacement. However, just as no two repairs are exactly alike, no one repair solution fits all. Composite repairs are most effective when certain conditions are met, which is important to consider when thinking about how to apply composites in offshore settings. Ask yourself the following questions to determine a) if composites are the best option for your situation, and b) how to select the right composite repair system for an offshore application.
Why might composites be a good fit for offshore settings?
Composites are a good option for offshore applications because they are quick to install, reduce or completely avoid service downtime, provide structural reinforcement and corrosion prevention, and can be installed on challenging pipe geometries, such as on/around elbows, reducers, and flanges. They are also lighter than conventional repair methods (i.e. steel sleeves), which is ideal for offshore structures.
In what situations do composites provide a better repair solution than conventional repair options?
In certain repair scenarios, composites are the obvious choice, such as for repairs on or around elbows, reduces, or flanges. The complex geometry can make conventional clamps and steel sleeves ineffective. Because composites have a flexible application that locks into the necessary shape after curing, they can provide more comprehensive coverage compared to sleeves or clamps.
However, pipe geometry is not the only determining factor. Composites might be the better repair choice if their associated benefits, such as avoiding service downtime, are imperative to the project.
What should be considered when selecting a composite repair system design?
If you’ve decided that a composite repair is the best solution for you, the next step is to select the right system for your specific situation. The right system depends on multiple factors, including but not limited to the required cure temperature of the resin, the characteristics of the feature that needs repair, and the geographic location of the pipeline. If you are repairing corrosion, you’ll want to understand the different challenges and implications associated with internal and external corrosion, and how that dictates the selection of the right composite repair system.
How does cure temperature affect composite repairs in offshore applications?
Composite repair systems that require elevated cure temperatures may require curing ovens or radiant heaters, which you might want to avoid in the offshore environment. Therefore, composites that cure at ambient temperatures are likely the best option for offshore.
However, not all ambient temperatures are created equal. An offshore structure located in the Arctic will have a much colder ambient temperature, and composite repairs installed in that region may require additional heating. In that case, tools such as heating blankets could be used to reach the required curing temperature.
How are composite repairs different for internal corrosion compared to external corrosion?
In a 2008 report from PHMSA, more corrosion failures were reported per mile in gas transmission pipelines offshore than onshore, with 97% of those failures occurring due to internal corrosion. Therefore, the need for proper repair and mitigation of internal corrosion is obviously important to offshore operations.
While repairs for external corrosion structurally reinforce the pipeline and provide a corrosion barrier to prevent further degradation, internal corrosion is more complex. Composites are not directly applied to internal corrosion like they are for external corrosion. However, composites can still be used effectively to offer long-lasting remediation for internal corrosion. For example, our CF-500 BD carbon fiber and 210 HT saturing resin is a great option for repairing pipes with internal corrosion or through wall failure because it provides a permanent repair, long-term structural reinforcement, and cures at ambient temperatures.
What resources are available to learn more about composite repairs?
Offshore applications of composite repairs offer distinct and interesting challenges. We’ve selected only a few of the key considerations to review here, but there is much more that can be discussed. If you’re interested in learning more about the capacity of composites in offshore applications, contact us with your questions and comments.