In the Middle East, the largest tight lining project carried out in the region has paired specialised technology with pipe fusion.
The Middle East is home to thousands of miles of pipelines for the oil and gas industries. Many pipelines are made of carbon steel (CS) to withstand the high-pressure flow and type of fluids running through them. However, corrosion is a major concern. United Special Technical Services (USTS) provides thermoplastic pipe lining services using its proprietary Tite Liner® technology for oil and gas flow lines. USTS is a joint venture between United Pipeline Systems, a fully owned Aegion Company, and Special Technical Services (STS) of Oman. They offer the world’s leading thermoplastic lining system for protecting pipelines from corrosion and internal abrasion. Rehabilitating an existing line with Tite Liner® is more economical than building a new line.
The Right Tools
Often the challenge in this line of work involves extreme weather conditions and tight deadlines. USTS’s most recent project was unique and utilised the Tite Liner® technology for lining a 42 in (1,066 mm) diameter CS sea water injection pipeline using polyethylene liner over some 37 km. It is one of the biggest and largest Tite Liner® jobs USTS has worked on to date and required mobilising special resources to complete the project.
Customised Equipment
Meets the Challenge USTS needed to secure butt fusion machines to fuse the sections of polyethylene before it was pulled through the existing carbon steel pipe. The company utilised McElroy MegaMc® 1648 machines, purchased from Plastic Pipes Welding, to complete the butt fusion operations. A specially designed roller reduction box was also custom-built and airfreighted in from the U.S.A. “The global experience of the Tite Liner® system has proven to be the most resilient technology regardless of pipe diameter.” said USTS General Manager, Jonathan Hickey. “This project demonstrates the commitment of USTS to provide sustainable solutions using the best equipment available with partners like McElroy.”
McElroy International Sales Manager, Rafael Quintero, said: “Plastic Pipes Welding is making fusion equipment accessible in this part of the world, and it is exciting to think about the potential for future projects for the countries in this region. “Being able to partner with USTS in the Middle East is very valuable to help improve the infrastructure with thermoplastic pipe. The unique technology the company offers the oil and gas industry to tight line polyethylene into the existing pipelines is cost effective and it prolongs the life of the pipe.”
www.unitedsts.com
