ExxonMobil
and TransCanada demonstrate field installation of world's strongest
gas transmission linepipe
Posted: 10 May 2004
Exxon Mobil Corporation and TransCanada PipeLines Limited successfully
demonstrated the field installation of the world's strongest linepipe,
X120.
One-mile of X120 linepipe was installed as part of a longer pipeline
looping operation in Northern Alberta in February 2004. The X120
linepipe was jointly developed under an agreement among ExxonMobil,
Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), and Mitsui & Co. Ltd (Mitsui).
X120 steel is 50 per cent stronger than the strongest linepipe
steel commonly used for gas transmission pipelines today (X80) and
is expected to substantially reduce pipeline project costs.
The use of natural gas is growing worldwide and is expected to
represent an increasing portion of the total energy supply. Many
gas resources that will be needed to accommodate this growing demand
are in remote areas and will require cost-effective transportation
options before they can be brought to market. The use of X120 gas
pipelines offers ExxonMobil the potential to substantially improve
the economics of developing these resources and may be an enabling
technology in some cases.
ExxonMobil teamed with TransCanada to demonstrate the suitability
of the new material for use in commercial applications. NSC supplied
the steel, and the pipeline was constructed to TransCanada specifications
and Canadian Standards using welding wire and procedures developed
by ExxonMobil.
Construction of the one-mile pipeline demonstrated that the X120
steel is compatible with standard pipeline construction practices,
even under severe Canadian winter conditions.
The construction rate was comparable to rates expected for winter
installation and the weld defect rate was lower than rates commonly
reported for major pipeline projects.
Other contributors to the success of this project were Louisbourg
Pipelines, the installation contractor, CRC-Evans, the welding equipment
supplier that worked with ExxonMobil on development of the welding
procedures, and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, the pipeline
safety regulator who authorized the assets to be fit for operation.
Exxon Mobil Corporation is a leading global oil, natural gas, and
petrochemicals company whose subsidiaries have operations in nearly
200 countries and territories.
ExxonMobil leads the industry in several key upstream technologies.
The impact of these technologies is demonstrated by the continued
technical leadership and superior business results of the company.
TransCanada is a leading North American energy company focused
on natural gas transmission and power services with employees who
are expert in these businesses.
TransCanada's network of approximately 24,200 miles (39,000 kilometres)
of pipeline transports the majority of Western Canada's natural
gas production to the fastest growing markets in Canada and the
United States.
TransCanada owns, controls or is constructing nearly 4,700 megawatts
of power -- an equal amount of power can meet the needs of about
4.7 million average households.
For more information see www.exxonmobil.com
or www.transcanada.com
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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