TPI April 2011

Fi t t ings & valves

Flangeless connector showcased in Middle East

Swagelining Limited, a pipeline rehabilitation and life extending specialist, has completed its first flangeless polymer lining project to be carried out in the Middle East. The project was undertaken by Swagelining Ltd’s regional licensee on behalf of the Kuwaiti Oil Company (KOC). The initiative saw the Middle East debut of Swagelining Ltd’s flangeless WeldLink ® Connector, which was utilised when lining the 1.4km section of an onshore water injection system using its patented Swagelining™ technique. Originally developed for use in subsea pipelines, the WeldLink Connector is a cornerstone product in Swagelining Ltd’s Integrated Lining System that enables polymer lined carbon steel pipelines to be fully welded. This allows the pipeline system to operate at high pressures without the risk of leakage from flanges. The connector system has been in use in high pressure water injection pipelines

for over 15 years around the world. The KOC initiative is part of a trial to test the feasibility of using Swagelining Ltd’s technology as a future solution to safeguard the thousands of kilometres of flow lines that it operates. Stephen Barnes, managing director at Swagelining Ltd, said, “The internal corrosion of ageing steel flow pipelines is a wide-spread problem throughout the Middle East. The costs and disruption of leaking pipes and their subsequent replacement can be avoided by inserting a close-fit internal lining using polyethylene and the life of the pipeline system can be significantly extended. “While the industry has recognised the benefits of polymer liners, lined pipelines were traditionally joined together with flanges. Over the life of a pipeline, flanges can present a risk of leakage at higher pressures and this requires intervention, which may involve shutting the pipeline system down to fix a problem. The

WeldLink Connector effectively removes the potential of flange leakage.”

Swagelining’s Integrated Lining System is at the heart of possibly the world’s largest onshore lined water injection system – a 55km 24" onshore pipeline in Congo, and Swagelining and WeldLink Connectors are currently being used in the construction of the world’s deepest lined riser in offshore West Africa. Swagelining Ltd’s techniques enable it to provide fully welded polymer lined pipelinesworking inhighpressure service. Operating water injection pipelines at high pressure pays dividends. Increasing the volume of water injected into the well can increase field output in real time. WeldLink is currently tested to 344 bar pressure service, and scheduled for testing at 440 bar later this year.

Swagelining Limited – UK enquiries@swagelining.com www.swagelining.com

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Tube Products International April 2011

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