Operating, Installation Considerations For Pipeline Composite Repairs

摘要

Composite repairs are no longer new to the pipeline integrity world. A significant body of work has been developed over the last several decades characterizing their performance and developing guidelines for end-users. Empirical and analytical studies have been funded by government agencies, composite manufactures, end-users and collaborative industry programs. Because of this effort, applications for composite repairs continue to advance as pipeline operators are provided with greater flexibility in remediating defects. Over this time period, composite repairs have been installed across the globe, in almost every imaginable scenario, providing operators with an alternative solution to clamps, steel sleeves or pipeline replacement. Through the development and installation of these systems, composite repair manufacturers have provided a critical service that keeps pipelines operating safely. Although success has been the primary outcome when making these repairs, like all industries, there have been occasional setbacks and shortcomings. These serve as reminders that not all repair scenarios are created equally and that fundamental first principles must always be considered. A perfectly designed composite repair with the most advanced materials can still be rendered completely ineffective if not installed correctly.