Coatings
&
not possible. Properly preparing the surface according to the
coating manufacturer’s recommendations is an important
step in the rehabilitation process. Checking cleanliness and
roughness are important tests that should be performed on a
regular basis.
After the surface is properly prepared, the coating
should be applied as quickly as possible. This is especially
necessary when pipes being rehabilitated are located in damp
environments where surface oxidation can rapidly occur. If a
surface has been exposed to moisture for an extended period,
applied coatings run the risk of performing poorly. Therefore,
environmental conditions should be monitored regularly.
Using an automated system to perform these checks can
reduce the risk of failures.
The most common rehab coatings are two-part epoxy
coatings. Normally these are applied at specific volumetric
ratios, for instance 3:1. This ratio is very important to ensure
that the coating is cured correctly. Aegion Coating Services
uses traditional plural component rigs, but they also have
electronically-monitored rigs that can verify the ratio in real
time. These advanced systems log all of the appropriate
parameters (pressures, flows and temperatures) and shut down
the operation if the ratio is out of the allowable range.
Following the application of the coating and a suitable
cure time, non-destructive testing is performed. The cure
of the coating is verified with a hardness test. Improperly
cured coatings will be too soft and should be stripped and
recoated. Dry film thickness is also checked in multiple areas.
The previous steps can be repeated for each layer of coating
if more thickness is required. Properly trained applicators
are key to making sure that the right thickness is applied the
first time. Finally, the coating is checked for holidays, which
are then repaired according to the coating manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Biggest challenge to the pipeline
coatings industry in 2016
As the oil and gas services industry reels from
low oil prices and capital spending cuts at
many exploration and production firms, the
pipeline coatings industry will experience a
similar ‘recession’ as pipeline projects originally
forecasted for execution in 2016 continue
to experience delays while oil prices remain
stubbornly low.
Despite the gloom, the long-term
fundamentals for the pipeline industry as a
whole remain positive. The IEA has forecasted
net positive growth in demand for energy
in the coming years, despite the current
depressed prices. This demand will lead to
increased production while consumption
markets continue to grow, stimulating a
need for pipeline infrastructure to transport
hydrocarbons. As exploration trends towards
new frontier environments, there will be
demands for stronger and more sophisticated
coating solutions for line pipe, field joints and subsea
equipment.
This confluence results in a need for increased research
and development in the pipeline coatings industry. However,
in the face of weak oil prices, obtaining such funding might
be tricky if industry players do not adopt the long view.
Increasingly, companies such as Aegion are investing in
offshore and onshore pipe coatings technology. Aegion
continues to execute deepwater insulation coating projects
for oil and gas clients and has an extensive backlog at its new
BWI integrated pipe coating plant. Our mobile coatings unit –
Aegion Coating Services – has made considerable investments
into planning for the growth of the deepwater coatings
market while pressing forward with field coating projects in
countries such as Azerbaijan, Oman, Chile and all throughout
North America.
Pipeline coating specialists – such as Aegion, with
its corrosion protection platform comprising renowned
energy asset protection brands such as Corrpro, The Bayou
Companies and United Pipeline Systems – will enter 2016
leveraging its execution experience on high-profile, technically-
challenging pipeline projects while reinvesting in research and
development of novelty anti-corrosion and thermal insulation
coating materials and safer, more precise and more efficient
automated robotic coating technology for field applications.
Additionally, we have combined our field coating technology
businesses CRTS, Inc. and Commercial Coating Services
International, LLC into one group – Aegion Coating Services.
This allows us to now mobilise services for both internal and
external field joint coating worldwide.
References
1.
-
from-2016-onwards/
2.
aspx?id=283f80c3-1ea5-e111-ac69-0050569a007e
Figure 2.
Automated liquid coating ring.
51
