bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of Industrial Engine and Gas Turbine Exhaust Emissions to Meet Present and Future Clean Air Regulations
Authors: Harris Harold L. , Taber Walter R.
Published: October 2016

Increasingly stringent regulations by the EPA and state air quality agencies in the U.S., as well as new regulations by Environment Canada, are making the reduction of exhaust emissions from industrial engines and gas turbines ever more important far their operators. Not only are these regulations getting increasingly strict with time, but there will be both substantial fines and possible criminal penalties for non-compliance in the future.

This presentation describes how harmful exhaust emissions are formed during the combustion process, what the current regulations are in various areas of North America and where they are probably headed in the foreseeable future. It then discusses possible emission reduction strategies in two broad categories, combustion modification and post-combustion treatment, using catalytic converters.

The three types of catalyst substrates are discussed, with the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of the four possible catalyst locations.
Stream Dynamics at Pipeline River Crossings
Authors: Beckstead Gary R. E. , Cavers Drum S.
Published: October 2016

Pipeline crossings of streams, whether large or small, must consider the ability of the stream channel to scour its bed and erode its banks. Case studies are presented to illustrate the kinds of dynamic environments which must be considered in designing pipeline stream crossings. These characteristics may be determined through the use of comparative historical aerial photography and site photographs and surveys. The case studies presented as examples in this paper include gullies, bedrock-lined channels, entrenched meandering streams, multi-channel wandering streams, degrading channels, alluvial fans, and major channels affected by regulation and man-made structures. Natural hazards such as debris jams and beaver dams are also discussed. For each case study, the characteristics of the channels are described, the design approach discussed and site-specific constraints presented which affected the final design.
Rainfall-Ground Movement Modeling for Natural Gas Pipelines Through Landslide Terrain
Authors: O’Neil G. D. , Simmonds G. R. , Grivas D. A. , Schultz B. C.
Published: October 2016

Perhaps the greatest challenge to geotechnical engineers is to maintain the integrity of pipelines at river crossings where landslide terrain dominates the approach slopes. The current design process at NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. (NGTL) has developed to the point where this impact can be reasonably estimated using in-house models of pipeline-soil interaction. To date, there has been no method to estimate ground movements within unexplored slopes at the outset of the design process. To address this problem, rainfall and slope instrumentation data have been processed to derive rainfall-ground movement relationships.

Early results indicate that the ground movements exhibit two components: a steady, small rate of movement independent of the rainfall, and; increased rates over short periods of time following heavy amounts of rainfall. Evidence exists of a definite threshold value of rainfall which has to be exceeded before any incremental movement is induced. Additional evidence indicates a one-month lag between rainfall and ground movement. While these models are in the preliminary stage, results indicate a potential to estimate ground movements for both initial design and planned maintenance actions.
The Development of the PIPESAFE Risk Assessment Package for Gas Transmission Pipelines
Authors: Acton Michael R. , Baldwin Phil J. , Baldwin Tim R. , Jager Eric E. R.
Published: October 2016

PIPESAFE is a knowledge based hazard and risk assessment package for gas transmission pipelines, which has been developed jointly by an international group of gas transmission companies. PIPESAFE has been developed from the BG (formerly British Gas) TRANSPIRE package, to produce an integrated assessment tool for use on PCs. which includes a range of improvements and additional models backed by large scale experimentation. This paper describes the development of the PIPESAFE package, and the formulation and validation of the mathematical models included within it.
Floating-Roof Tank Heel Reduction Options and Heel Turnover Emissions
Authors: Gallagher Terry A. , Laverman Royce J. , Desjardins Christian R.
Published: October 2016

The net working capacity of floating roof tanks is the product inventory that is stored between the maximum and minimum operating levels of the floating roof. The product that remains in the tank when the floating roof is at its minimum operating level is residual inventory, referred to as the product heel. This trapped inventory is a valuable product asset that is not part of the tank net working capacity. This paper describes considerations that must be made when lowering the minimum operating level of floating roofs, both for new and retrofit tank applications, and presents methods of achieving these improvements.

Some tank turnover operations require that the floating roof be landed and the tank drained dry. Tank turnover operations include those where it is important to avoid cross contamination of products.

Recent studies have shown the importance of the emissions that occur during heel turnover operations. This paper describes a method for determining the heel turnover emissions and presents abatement options for controlling these emissions.
Maintenance Plan for 1956 Vintage Storage Tank Facility
Authors: Buck Brian S. , Fridel Thomas W.
Published: October 2016

In early 1997, Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc. (LPL) purchased the Hartsdale Terminal to better serve customers in the Chicago area by providing additional crude oil storage facilities. This terminal is located adjacent to Lakehead’s Griffith, Indiana Terminal and consists of nine crude oil tanks totaling 900,000 barrels of storage capacity. All nine of the Hartsdale tanks were constructed in 1956, are 134 ft. in diameter, and are open top with double deck style floaters. This report describes the integrity analysis of the facility and the corresponding maintenance plan that was developed. The analysis portion of this report describes the inspections that were done on the tanks, covering aspects such as weld spacing; tank settlement; interior and exterior coating failure; tank shell, bottom, and pontoon corrosion; seal wear and performance; roof drain integrity; and other OSHA and API mandates. The resulting maintenance plan is approximately a five-year window and is currently in its first year. The five-year duration was based on issues both operational and financial. A portion of the discussion is focused on the challenge of combining these two components into an overall comprehensive plan. In addition, aspects affecting the maintenance plan such as risk assessment, OSHA and API standards, and budgeting issues are described.
Reengineering Maintenance for Dependability
Authors: Risdon Daniel J. , Van Hardeveld Thomas
Published: October 2016

Maintenance is undergoing a major revolution. The management of maintenance is being impacted by business-driven changes that are forcing fundamental improvements to the maintenance function. Maintenance planning and execution are now considered as a strategic component of asset life cycle management. The link between maintenance and design is being furthered by placing emphasis on considering reliability and maintainability during the design phase. The application of Reliability-Centered Maintenance is becoming an important method for determining the optimum maintenance program for facility assets, while at the same time providing a solid foundation for triggering selective system improvements and design changes and managing life cycle cost and risk associated with assets. The concept of dependability provides the focus for integrating design, operations and maintenance into a coherent and complete life cycle approach to facilities. Dependability is strongly linked to quality standards since, for many companies, dependability is the major component of quality that has to be satisfied to meet customer needs. This paper describes the practical application of a quality approach to a gas transmission company which has recently undergone a reengineering of its design, operations and maintenance processes.
Pipeline Information Control System Overview
Authors: Wengreniuk G. W.
Published: October 2016

The Pipeline Information Control System (PICS) is a information system to collect, organize, store and interpret technical and other data relating to pipelines. This data is generically referred to a “life cycle data” and specifically as design, materials manufacture, equipment supply, construction, inspection, commissioning, operations, In-Line-Inspection, pipeline excavation, corrosion assessment, pipeline repair and environmental data.

The ability to efficiently capture, correlate and make pipeline data actionable can provide owners and operators the opportunity to;

• Be lower cost service providers, therefore improving the economics of the pipeline project and the value for the shareholders and the customers,

• Demonstrate due diligence in the operations and maintenance of the pipeline demonstrating concern for the public and safety for the environment,

• More accurately allocate appropriate resources according to assessed risks,

• Demonstrate compliance with company or government standards,

• Identify similarities between characteristics which will eventually lead to failure.
Non-Destructive Techniques for Measurement and Assessment of Corrosion Damage on Pipelines
Authors: Kania Richard , Carroll L. Blair
Published: October 2016

Integrity assessments for internal or external corrosion damage on an exposed pipeline are only as accurate as the methods which measure the extent of the damage. Inaccuracies in measurement can lead to unnecessary repairs or non-conservative assessments.

This paper describes the development and use of three systems used to reliably and efficiently measure corrosion damage on both internal and external pipe surfaces of exposed in-service pipeline segments. They are based upon the application of laser optics, magnetic flux leakage and ultrasonics. The use of these systems allows for more accurate corrosion damage assessments, thereby reducing the number of unnecessary repairs and cut-outs, and reducing the risk of non-conservative assessments.

The laser-based and ultrasonic systems provide contour maps of corroded areas. Software that incorporates the RSTRENG method is used to assess the significance of the damage from the data.

Examples of the applications of all systems on large-diameter gas and oil pipelines are provided along with a discussion of their impact.
The Operational Experience and Advantages of Using Speed Control Technology for Internal Inspection
Authors: Sahney Reena , Grimes Keith , Sawyer Tom
Published: October 2016

Prior to 1997 the internal inspection program at TCPL was significantly smaller and therefore, did not result in significant capacity restrictions. Flexibility in scheduling inspections on the multi-line system was the primary method used to minimize capacity restrictions. With the decision to expand the 1997 program to include 3000 km of internal inspection, it became necessary to utilize technology to minimize throughput losses. Speed Control technology was capable of doing this; however, this technology was still in the early stages of development and performance testing. The purpose of this paper is to share the knowledge and benefits TCPL and two MFL inspection vendors have realized through the use of this technology.
The Significance of Soil Freezing for Stress Corrosion Cracking
Authors: Williams Peter J. , White Thomas L. , Torrance J. Kenneth
Published: October 2016

The microstructure of soils (the arrangement of pores and voids, aggregation and surface characteristics of particles) is substantially modified by freezing. Soils so modified differ, in a number of important properties, from soils not previously frozen. Furthermore, each time a soil is frozen there is a redistribution of particles, moisture and solutes. Corrosion of buried pipes is known to be related to the ground conditions. Accordingly the particular nature of frozen ground needs consideration in this respect.

Studies of microstructure of samples of freezing, frozen and unfrozen soils, many obtained from a full-scale experimental study of the effects of freezing on a buried pipeline, have provided an explanation for measured changes in bulk geotechnical properties of the materials. The microstructure viewed by optical microscopy, reveals the soil structure as having a complex and striking dependence on freezing history. Scanning electron microscopy shows further details in clay rich soils.

Freezing at temperatures occurring in nature normally does not convert all the soil water to ice. The effects of particle surface forces is to reduce the freezing point of the water nearest a mineral surface. The distribution of solutes is radically altered, with pockets of high concentration interconnected by a liquid phase of varying concentration.

A variety of other effects, relating to chemical and mechanical properties of soils subjected to freezing, have been demonstrated or can be postulated. Some of these are important in corrosion phenomena. The stresses that have been shown to occur in a pipe as a result of frost heave in the freezing soil, will also tend to increase the possibility of stress corrosion cracking.
Hydrogen Facilitated Anodic Dissolution Type Stress Corrosion Cracking of Pipeline Steels in Coating Disbondment Chemistry
Authors: Mao Scott X. , Luo J. L. , Gu B. , Yu W.
Published: October 2016

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pipeline steels in coating disbondment chemistry (near neutral pH solution) was studied by using slow strain rate tests (SSRT), polarization techniques, SEM and SIMS (secondary ion mass spectroscope). It was found that SCC susceptibility increased as the applied electrochemical potential and strain rates decreased. Hydrogen (H) precharging or addition of CO2 facilitated the process of SCC, suggesting that dissolution and hydrogen ingress are involved in the cracking process. SIMS analysis showed that hydrogen could diffuse into steels around the crack tip during the SCC process, which would facilitate the dissolution rate of the steel and increase SCC susceptibility. A mechanism was proposed which shows that hydrogen enhances anodic dissolution type of SCC in dilute aqueous solution. A thermodynamic analysis of the SCC process was carried out, and was found to be consistent with the experimental results.
The CEPA Report on Circumferential Stress Corrosion Cracking
Authors: Sutherby Robert L.
Published: October 2016

According to the NEB Report of the recent inquiry on pipeline stress corrosion cracking (NEB Order No. MH-2-95), six of the Canadian failures to that time had been leaks resulting from circumferentially-oriented cracks. A review has been made of the five CEPA leaks; two leaks from non-CEPA companies; and a case of non-leaking circumferential SCC, also from CEPA. All of the Canadian cases occurred in regions of west and central Alberta.

Circumferential stress corrosion cracking is a rare cause of pipeline leakage. Canadian cases have occurred in very specific conditions that exist in only a small proportion of the regions where pipelines operate. All cases of circumferential SCC, to date, have occurred under either polyethylene tape or a polyethylene backed shrink sleeve. The SCC appears to have been of the neutral-pH form and initiated and grew in response to high axial stresses generated by soil creep and/or localized pipe bending on slopes of 10° or greater. In this sense, circumferential SCC is a manifestation of a geotechnical instability in an area of SCC susceptibility. It would be prudent for operators of susceptible pipelines to consider the potential risks of such failures and to manage those risks accordingly.

Management of circumferential SCC may be largely achieved by effective management of geotechnical concerns on slopes. Geotechnical programs directed toward preventing soil movement or pipe loading could have benefit with respect to preventing circumferential SCC in susceptible areas. Other management approaches, involving in-line inspection tools, may also be found to have benefit.

Given that circumferential SCC (C-SCC) is driven by geotechnical instability, a significant research effort directed specifically toward C-SCC is not considered warranted at this time. Rather, geotechnical research will augment SCC research in progress to provide insight and capabilities to manage the concern.

To assist pipeline operators, CEPA will issue, in 1998, a revision of the SCC Recommended Practices providing guidance to manage this concern.
The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association Stress Corrosion Cracking Database
Authors: Dupuis Bruce R.
Published: October 2016

The SCC (stress corrosion cracking) database was initiated by the CEPA (Canadian Energy Pipeline Association) SCC Working. The current generation of the database has a broad scope, containing detailed data for each and every colony and its associated environmental conditions. The database also includes corrosion and dents amongst other integrity concerns to identify any correlation with SCC and provide a common industry data format to investigate these other integrity issues. The intent of the current version of the database is to provide for the most detailed data entry that one could typically capture at an investigative dig. With the wide acceptance of the current version the CEPA database it is evolving into the industry standard for investigative excavation data.

The initial trending results are based on the dataset generated by CEPA member companies, which represents over a thousand investigative excavations. The trend results should only be interpreted broadly at this time, although they do generally support industry’s understanding of SCC.

The development and implementation of the CEPA SCC database is premised on the belief, developed through extensive field investigations and laboratory research, that SCC is not a random development, but it initiates and grows at specific locations susceptible to SCC. It is further premised on the belief that such susceptible sites can be generally located by appropriate prioritization techniques. Thus, the objective of the database is to explore correlation among the various operational and environmental variables to improve the current understanding of how to locate SCC, and in particular ‘significant’ SCC, in order that measures can be taken to prevent operational failures and enhance the safety of Canadian pipelines.

The need for an industry database regarding SCC was identified by the CEPA SCC working group shortly after its formation 1994. It was apparent that the various companies were collecting the field data from investigative excavations in significantly different formats, only some of which were electronic. The need for a common data structure and data repository to facilitate trending was reinforced numerous times at the Banff Conferences and by the NEB during its inquiry into SCC in 1995/96.
Use of the Elastic Wave Tool to Locate Cracks Along the DSAW Seam Welds in a 32-Inch (812.8-mm) OD Products Pipeline
Authors: Maxey Willard A. , Mesloh Raymond E. , Kiefner John F.
Published: October 2016

The effectiveness of the British Gas elastic wave in-line inspection tool for finding and characterizing cracks along DSAW seams was clearly demonstrated by its use in 42 miles (67.59 km) of Colonial Pipeline Company’s 32-inch (812.8-mm) OD Line 4. Fourteen crack-like anomalies were located and characterized. Subsequent cut outs of the anomalies revealed these to be cracks along and at the toe of the longitudinal seam. All initiated at the OD surface. Some apparently were transit fatigue cracks with no indication of growth in service. Others showed evidence of having been extended by fatigue from service-pressure cycles.

The sizes of the defects were such that they were too small to have failed if the pipeline had been subjected to a hydrostatic test to 100% of SMYS. This was demonstrated not only by calculations for the cutout anomalies, but by the hard evidence of burst test results in which the failures occurred at levels of 126% of SMYS and higher. The results show unequivocally that the elastic wave tool provides a significantly greater validation of pipeline integrity (assuming the located anomalies are removed or repaired) than a hydrostatic test to 100% of SMYS. The results suggest that the reinspection interval for the elastic wave tool could be significantly longer than the hydrostatic retest interval on an equivalent-risk basis.
Development of Heavy Gauge X80 Linepipe
Authors: Kostic M. Milos , Collins Laurie E. , Kapoor Atul , O’Hara Randy D.
Published: October 2016

New large diameter pipeline projects for transmission of gas from western Canada propose the use of operating pressures as high as 12kPa (1740 psi). These operating pressures will require linepipe with increased wall thickness. As well, X80 grades are now an economic alternative to X70 for these major projects. X80 was first commercially produced in North America by IPSCO in 1994. However, to extend IPSCO’s capability to heavier gauges, a significant metallurgical development program was necessary. Particular attention has focussed on achieving more demanding impact toughness requirements. This program has resulted in the successful production of X80 linepipe in gauges as heavy as 15.3 mm. The paper will review the experimental development of heavy gauge linepipe.
On the Evaluation of Dynamic Stresses in Pipelines Using Limited Vibration Measurements and FEA in the Frequency Domain
Authors: Moussa Walied A. , AbdelHamid Amr N.
Published: October 2016

A practical technique is investigated for the determination of dynamic stresses in pipelines through the use of Finite Element Method (FEM) and field measurement vibrations at selected points. Numerical simulation of a harmonically loaded pipeline structure is used to establish the validity of the technique in the frequency domain. The analysis is carried out for a fixed-hinged pipe model. The results show that lack of coincidence between the vibration measurement points (VMPs) and the exciting force, or the use of only translational vibration measurements (TVMs) produce an approximate stress picture. The extent of the “error” in these cases is found to depend on the density of the VMPs and the proximity between these points and the exciting force location. A safety-related risk assessment is applied to find the minimum distance between measuring points that is needed to meet design codes reliability specifications.
Relationship Between Apparent (Total) Charpy Vee-Notch Toughness and the Corresponding Dynamic Crack-Propagation Resistance
Authors: Leis Brian N. , Eiber Robert J. , Carlson L. , Gilroy-Scott A.
Published: October 2016

The consequences of a dynamic fracture in a gas-transmission pipeline require that pipelines be designed to avoid such incidents at a high level of certainty. For this reason, the related phenomonology has been studied since the early 1970s when the possibility of a dynamic ductile fracture was recognized. Full-scale experiments were done to characterize the fracture and gas dynamics associated with this process and empirical models were developed as a means to represent these experiments in a design or analysis setting. Such experiments focused on pure methane gas, and in the early days used steels with toughnesses less than 100 J, consistent with the steel making capabilities of the 1970s. Subsequently, interest shifted to larger diameter, higher pressure, higher BTU “rich” gases requiring higher toughness steels. The full-scale tests conducted to validate the arrest toughness levels determined that these empirical models were non-conservative.

This paper presents a relationship between the dynamic crack propagation resistance and the apparent crack propagation resistance as measured by Charpy vee-notch (CVN) test specimens. This relationship is used in conjunction with the existing Battelle empirical criterion for dynamic-fracture arrest to determine the apparent toughness required to arrest a propagating ductile fracture in gas-transmission pipelines. The validity of this relationship is illustrated by successful predictions of arrest toughness in pipelines under a range of conditions including rich gases and high-toughness steels, including those showing a rising upper-shelf behavior.
Field Full Scale Tests on Longitudinal Pipeline-Soil Interaction
Authors: Cappelletto Andrea , Tagliaferri Roberto , Giurlani Gianmario , Andrei Giuseppe , Furlani Giuseppe , Scarpelli Giuseppe
Published: October 2016

Recent research on longitudinal pipe-soil interaction shows that traditional analysis models are inadequate and too conservative, especially when cohesive soils are involved. The practical implication for SNAM, whose network extends over the entire Italian territory where slow ground movements inducing longitudinal soil-pipe interaction are frequent, is that the management of the gas pipeline has to rely mainly on field measurements.

The correct assessment of the interaction forces was therefore included as an important part of a wider research program, whose aim is to perform pipe risk analysis by which the structural vulnerability for some SNAM typical scenarios can be quantified as a function of such parameters as the pipe section geometry, the type of soil, the burial depth, the length of pipeline section involved and the magnitude of the soil imposed displacements.

Experimental activities specifically regarding longitudinal, static, interaction problems were carried out; in particular pull-out tests were performed on two out of use pipelines, having two different diameters: 8” and 24”. For each site, four different test conditions were investigated where type and compaction state of the material surrounding the pipe varies. The behaviour of the pipe embedded in the original clayey backfill was compared to that observed after such fill was excavated and replaced around the pipe, to simulate conditions after standard stress relieving works. Different fills where then used, made of either granular soil or granulite; this latter was used in order to ascertain the possible benefits of using light artificial materials to mitigate soil-pipe interaction phenomena. Site testing was accompanied by a careful geotechnical investigation both in the field and in laboratory that included direct shear tests of interfaces using coated steel pipe specimens.

A comparison between the results obtained and the existing state of the art is presented. This comparison allowed to verify the effectiveness of some interpretative models, and in particular the convenience of adopting effective stress based models rather than pure cohesive ones (i.e. total stress), even in the case of clayey soils.
A Full-Scale Investigation Into Pipeline/Soil Interaction
Authors: Paulin Michael J. , Phillips Ryan , Clark Jack I. , Trigg Alan , Konuk Ibrahim
Published: October 2016

The ability of oil and gas pipelines to respond safely to soil movements is an important consideration in pipeline design and route selection. There are a number of suggested methods of analysing pipeline/soil interaction in the literature most of which consider the pipeline to be connected to the soil via a series of discrete nonlinear springs. Many of these methods have generally been based on soil/structure interaction studies developed for other types of buried structures such as anchor plates and vertical piles. There are few pipeline-specific theoretical or experimental results available for comparison and validation of accepted design/analysis methods. To remediate this lack of large-scale pipeline-specific data, a full-scale pipeline/soil interaction test facility has been established in St. John’s Newfoundland. This paper presents a description of the test facility, details on experimental procedures, and comparative results from lateral and axial testing in sand and clay.
Slackline Testing of the TransAlaska Pipeline System at Thompson Pass
Authors: Baskurt U. J. , Bradshaw Peter M. , Hart James D.
Published: October 2016

During the summer of 1996, the TransAlaska Pipeline System (TAPS) experienced a vibration problem near Thompson Pass which is 25 miles north of Valdez and is part of the Chugach Mountain Range, the most southerly of the three mountain ranges which the pipeline crosses on its route from Prudhoe Bay to the Port of Valdez. The vibrations could, on occasion, be detected by residents living near the pipeline at the bottom of the pass. Close to the source of the phenomena, small bushes could be seen moving in response to the seismic shocks and a noise similar to “mortars firing in the distance” could be heard.

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company initiated an extensive investigation and quickly determined that the seismic shocks were a result of pressure pulses originating near the slackline-packline interface. This only occurred when the slackline-packline interface was positioned near a terraced portion of the pipeline topography on the downstream side of the pass. This knowledge allowed Alyeska Pipeline to control the pulsations by backpressuring the pipeline and moving the slackline-packline interface well above the terrace location.
Physical Basis of Software-Based Leak Detection Methods
Authors: Liou Jim C. P.
Published: October 2016

There are many causes for a pipeline to leak. Third party punctures usually result in sizable leaks. The onset of such leaks generates a sudden change in the pipeline pressure and flow. Methods exist that rely upon these sudden changes for leak detection. Leaks previously undetected are not detectable by such methods. These pre-existing leaks are usually small in size but can exist for long time. The cumulation of leaked products may pose a greater hazard then the larger and sudden leaks. The operational experience of major pipeline company in the United States has demonstrated that all leak detection methods have their limitations, and that complementary leak detection methods should be used simultaneously (Mears 1993). Hence, we propose a leak detection system that uses, simultaneously, two independent but complementary methodologies: mass balance and transient flow simulations.
Effect of Flow Conditioners and Pulsation on the Performance of 8 Inch Multi-Path Ultrasonic Meters
Authors: Karnik U. , Studzinski W. , Geerligs J. , Rogi M.
Published: October 2016

The performance of two 8inch multi-path ultrasonic meters provided by Instromet and Daniel Industries is evaluated in the presence of a 19 tube bundle and the CPACL’ flow conditioner. These flow conditioners are placed downstream of a single elbow and two elbows out of plane. The ultrasonic meters are tested at several locations downstream of the flow conditioners. NOVA’s gravimetric meter prover is used to evaluate the performance of the meters. The present measurements indicate that the use of CPACL flow conditioner results in a near baseline performance of ultrasonic meters.

The two meters were also tested for pulsation effects using some of the solutions suggested by the manufacturers. Present tests indicate that the solutions were not effective enough and the meters are subject to errors when exposed to a pulsating flow.
Early Public Notification
Authors: Ford Douglas V.
Published: October 2016

In response to public pressure and in a desire to ensure that the public was adequately informed about potential projects, the National Energy Board (NEB) produced a Memorandum of Guidance with respect to its expectations regarding its Early Public Notification (EPN) program in 1990.

Over time, issues such as Stress Corrosion Cracking, Risk Assessment, Pipeline Integrity and Landowner Compensation have all significantly impacted the way companies have adjusted their approaches to the delivery of EPN programs.

In the future, the pipeline industry can expect that public consultation programs will increasingly become an essential component on both project specific and long range strategic communications planning. The purpose of this paper is to review the development and implementation of the EPN process and to propose future issues which may impact the planning and execution of consultation programs. The focus of this paper will be to:

A. Profile the evolution and delivery of EPN programs and review the communications tools typically used with EPN programs;

B. Examine the recent emergence of regional landowner interest groups and to review their effect on the regulatory process and issues such as pipeline integrity, pipeline safety and environmental stewardship;

C. Review how the pipeline industry has responded to public, Board and government initiatives regarding intervenor funding, and;

D. Provide insight into future EPN delivery systems as well as emerging trends with respect to public participation in the pipeline and resource sector.
Building a 5000hp, VFD Controlled, Pump Station in 105 Days: “Fact or Fantasy”
Authors: Spencer Roy C. , Grainger Lance G. , Peacock Vince G. , Blois Jon
Published: October 2016

On March 17, 1997 Robicon Corporation was requested, by a large Alberta based oil company, to provide a proposal to manage a turn-key, crude oil, pump station project. The oil company had identified an immediate need to expand their North Eastern Alberta Pipe Line system to allow a higher thru-put into the Hardisty, Alberta area:

• the pipe line was capacity restricted and customer demand indicated an immediate requirement to increase pipe line thru-put by 70%;

• the capacity increase was required by June 30th or earlier.
Formalizing Pipeline Integrity With Risk Assessment Methods and Tools
Authors: Biagiotti S. F. (Steve) , Gosse S. F. (Stephen)
Published: October 2016

The proper use of risk assessment / risk management principles and tools can help the pipeline operator maintain the flow of pipeline integrity data and the analysis of this data by responsible parties. By the use of an algorithm (series of relationships) the rules for performing a mathematical expression of risk can be established and the attributes identified. These measures may aid in the rational, prioritization of resources and identification of improvement opportunities. Operating companies do a good job of maintaining their pipelines, but the decision as to where to allot resources in some cases may be generally a reactive measure. Advances in Pipeline Risk Management Software and Pipeline Inspection tools now allow a proactive approach to Pipeline Integrity Maintenance. This paper explains some of the risk management tools available to pipeline companies.
Same Yet Different: A Comparison of Pipeline Industries in Canada and Australia
Authors: Jaques Susan
Published: October 2016

Canada and Australia are remarkably similar countries. Characteristics such as geography, politics, native land issues, and population are notably similar, while the climate may be considered the most obvious difference between the two countries. The pipeline industries are similar as well, but yet very different in some respects too. This presentation will explore some of the similarities and differences between the pipeline industries in both countries.

The focus of the discussion will be mainly on long-distance, cross-country gas transmission pipelines. The author of this paper spent 4 years working for TransCanada PipeLines in Calgary in a pipeline design and construction capacity, and has spent 2.5 years working for an engineering consultant firm, Egis Consulting Australia, in a variety of roles on oil and gas projects in Australia.

Topics to be addressed include the general pipeline industry organisation and the infrastructure in both countries. The history of the development of the pipeline industry in each country provides insight as to why each is organised the way it is today. While neither system is “better” than the other, there are certain advantages to Canada’s system (nationally regulated) over Australia’s system (currently state-regulated).

The design codes of each country will be compared and contrasted. The pipeline design codes alternate in level of detail and strictness of requirements. Again, it cannot be said that one is “better” than the other, although in some cases one country’s code is much more useful than the other for pipeline designers.

Construction techniques affected by the terrain and climate in each country will be explored. Typical pipeline construction activities are well known to pipeliners all over the globe: clear and grade, trench, string pipe, weld pipe, coat welds, lower in, backfill and clean up. The order of these activities may change, depending on the terrain and the season, and the methods of completing each activity will also depend on the terrain and the season, however the principles remain the same. Australia and Canada differ in aspects such as climate, terrain and watercourse type, and therefore each country has developed methods to handle these issues.

Finally, some of the current and future opportunities for the 21st century for the pipeline industry in both countries will be discussed. This discussion will include items such as operations and maintenance issues, Canada’s northern development opportunities, and Australia’s national gas grid possibilities.
An Experimental Evaluation of Critical Buckling Strain Criteria
Authors: Dorey Alfred B. , Murray David W. , Cheng J. J. Roger
Published: October 2016

In the past, a significant amount of investigation into the development of critical buckling strain limit state criteria for pipelines has been conducted and a number of critical strain criteria have been proposed. However, the availability of comparative experimental data that have been collected under representative pipeline operating conditions has been somewhat limited.

Over the past eight years, more than 50 full-scale pipeline tests under representative field conditions have been conducted at the University of Alberta (U of A) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Experimental parameters have included the diameter-to-thickness (D/t) ratio, the internal pressure to yield pressure ratio (p/py), and the presence or absence of a circumferential girth-weld at the mid-height of the specimen. Critical strain values were determined for the majority of these test specimens and were then compiled in an attempt to assess current limit state design criteria for governing critical buckling strains.

This paper summarizes the critical buckling strain values from a total of 38 tests that have been conducted at U of A at the present time. The experimental results are then used to assess a number of previously developed critical strain criteria.
Planning for Purging and Loading of a Newly Constructed Gas Pipeline System Using a Pipeline Simulator
Authors: Mohitpour Mo , Kazakoff J. , Jenkins Andrew , Montemurro David
Published: October 2016

Purging of a gas pipeline is the process of displacing the air/nitrogen by natural gas in an accepted constant practice in the natural gas pipeline industry. It is done when pipelines are put into service. Gas Pipelines are also purged out of service. In this case they are filled with air or other neutral gases.

Traditionally, “purging” a newly constructed pipeline system is carried out by introducing high pressure gas into one end of the pipeline section to force air out of the pipeline through the outlet until 100% gas is detected at the outlet end. While this technique will achieve the purpose of purging air out of the pipeline, it gives little or no consideration to minimizing the emission of methane gas into the atmosphere.

With the advances of the pipeline simulation technology, it is possible through simulation to develop a process to minimize the gas to air interface and thereby minimize the emission of methane gas. In addition, simulation can also be used to predict the timing of purging and loading of the pipeline. Therefore, scheduling of manpower and other activities can be more accurately interfaced.

In this paper a brief background to purging together with a summary of current industry practices are provided. A simplified purging calculation method is described and a simulation technique using commercially available software is provided for planning purging and loading operations of gas pipeline systems. An Example is provided of a recently constructed pipeline (Mayakan Gas Pipeline System) in Mexico to demonstrate how the planning process was developed and carried out through the use of this simulation technique. Simulation results are compared with field data collected during the actual purging and loading of the Mayakan Pipeline.
Implementation of Tuned Vibration Absorbers for Above Ground Pipeline Vibration Control
Authors: Norris Mark A. , Ptak Keith R. , Zamora Ben A. , Hart James D.
Published: October 2016

An overview of recent developments of tuned vibration absorbers (TVAs) for vibration suppression is presented. The paper summarizes some popular theory for analysis and optimal tuning of these devices, discusses various design configurations, and reviews the recent application of TVAs to control wind-induced oscillations of pipelines above the Arctic Circle. Although the wind-induced pipeline vibrations are relatively small, the accumulation of vibration cycles can cause fatigue at pipeline joints. The TVAs used in this application have reduced the RMS displacements of the pipeline by as much as a factor of seven. Additionally, the paper introduces a new overhead TVA installation on the pipeline for accommodating environmental considerations.
Floating-Roof Tanks: Design and Operation in the Petroleum Industry
Authors: Gallagher Terry A. , Desjardins Christian R.
Published: October 2016

The floating-roof tank has been the most widely used method of storage of volatile petroleum products since the first demonstration b Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CB&I) in 1923. There have been many changes and design improvements to that first pan-style-floating roof.

A floating roof is a complex structure. It must be designed to remain buoyant even when exposed to combined loads from varying process, weather and product conditions. There is a continued demand for improved floating-roof tanks to store a wide range of petroleum and petrochemical products in compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. Floating roofs are used in open top tanks (EFRT), inside tanks with fixed roofs (IFRT), or in tanks that are totally closed where no product evaporative losses are permitted for release to the atmosphere. This very special type of installation is referred to as a zero emission storage tank (ZEST). Products that might have been stored in basic fixed roof tanks must now utilize a floating roof to limit evaporative emissions to the atmosphere. High vapor pressure condensate service and blended heavy crude oils also present new design challenges to the floating roof tank industry.

This paper will review the most prominent styles of floating roofs from 1923 to the present. Design and operating limits for current da floating-roof structures are presented. New trends in environmental regulations and the potential impact on the design and operation of floating-roof tanks will be presented. Current maintenance practices and the effect on Life Cycle Cost Management of the storage syste are also reviewed.
Field Observations of Cyclical Pipe-Soil Interactions in Permafrost Terrain, KP 5, Norman Wells Pipeline, Canada
Authors: Burgess Margo M. , Wilkie Scott , Doblanko Rick , Konuk Ibrahim
Published: October 2016

The Norman Wells pipeline is an 869 km long, small diameter, buried, ambient temperature, oil pipeline operated by Enbridge Pipeline (NW) Inc. in the discontinuous permafrost zone of northwestern Canada. Since operation began in 1985, average oil temperatures entering the line have been maintained slightly below 0°C, initially through constant chilling year round and since 1993 through a seasonal cycling of temperatures through a range from −4 to +9°C. At one location, 5 km from the inlet at Norman Wells, on level terrain in an area of widespread permafrost, uplift of a 20 m segment of line was observed in the early 1990s. The uplift gradually increased and by 1997 the pipe was exposed 0.5 m above the ground surface.

Detailed studies at the site have included field investigations of terrain and thermal conditions, repeated pipe and ground surface elevation surveys, and annual Geopig surveys. The field work has revealed that the section of line was buried in low density soils, thawed to depths of 4 m on-right-of-way, and not subjected to complete refreezing in winter. The thaw depths are related to surface or near-surface flows from a nearby natural spring, as well as to the development of a thaw bulb around the pipe in the cleared right-of-way. Icings indicative of perennial water flow occur commonly at this location in the winter.

The pipe experienced annual cycles of heave and settlement (on the order of 0.5 m) due to seasonal freezing and thawing within the surrounding low density soils. The pipe reached its highest elevation at the end of each winter freezing season, and its lowest elevation at the end of the summer thaw period. Superimposed on this heave/settlement cycle was an additional step-like cycle of increasing pipe strain related to thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe. A remedial program was initiated in the winter of 1997–98 in order to curtail the cumulative uplift of the pipe, reduce the increasing maximum annual pipe strain and ensure pipe safety. A 0.5 m cover of sandbags and coarse rock was placed over the exposed pipe segment. Continued pipe elevation monitoring and annual Geopig surveys have indicated that both seasonal heave/settlement and strains have been reduced subsequent to the remedial loading. Introduction of a gravel berm has also altered both the surrounding hydrologic and ground thermal regimes.