PRCI

Recent Results

Modernizing On-Shore Pipeline Construction

PRCI has completed CNST-2-1 Modernizing On-Shore Pipeline Construction - Research Plan Development. This research project that considered the entire on-shore pipeline construction process. The goal of the project was to identify new technologies, or new applications of existing technologies, with the potential to achieve significant reductions in the time and/or cost of construction, while maintaining or enhancing construction quality.

Key Results

This work provided a research roadmap for a multi-year research program that will facilitate construction quality while reducing the time and cost of on-shore pipeline construction. The project established linkages with several top-tier pipeline contractors, owner-builders, and relevant industry associations including IPLOCA (the International Pipeline & Offshore Contractors Association) and the INGAA Foundation. The methods used to identify research needs and priorities included questionnaires, workshops, interviews with key pipeline construction specialists. The project also drew from the requirements identified by the IPLOCA-led Novel Construction initiative thru the development of its Road to Success document.

The next steps are two research projects that will begin this year to address immediate needs. The first will develop improved industry guidelines for calculating lowering-in stresses during pipeline construction.  Currently, two dimensional analysis and methodologies are frequently used to conduct a static analysis on level ground with the pipe shape as defined by an S-curve with all side booms equally spaced, taking up their portion of the load. At this point in time, there has been only a very limited amount of three dimensional analyses conducted to simulate the actual pipe lowering operations with varying distances between side booms. Also, there is no data attained from measured tests and a comprehensive industry guidance document for this phase of construction does not currently exist.

The second project will focus in on the route selection process. Proper route selection is critical to the successful management of both cost and schedule of on-shore pipeline construction projects. This project will begin with a gap study to identify the impact on the success of construction projects of specific data shortages during the route selection process and will also include an analysis of the data requirements. Next, the guidance information and assessments will be consolidated into a guidance document for route selection in varying terrains, soil conditions, and route conditions. This document will reflect current best practices. Then, additional research will be conducted to improve current practices by acquiring additional critical data earlier in the planning and route selection processes.

The Final Report is available for members on PRIME.

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