STAVANGER: Specific issues related to CO2 in dense, high pressure phase are not covered in existing pipeline standards or regulations. DNV, together with major industry partners, is therefore developing a new standard for transportation of CO2 in pipelines.
“As Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects could become an important mitigation option related to climate change, this broad cooperation is an important step forward,” says project manager Frøydis Eldevik at DNV.
Relating to CO2 pipeline transmission stakeholders today demand a robust, traceable and transparent approach that gives credibility to the proper management of the risks and uncertainties. Unfortunately, the current pipeline standards do not take into account considerations related to the pipeline transmission of CO2 from large-scale capture plants to suitable storage sites. This serves as a barrier to the effective large-scale deployment of CCS.
Broad joint industry project
DNV has therefore initiated a specific industrial collaboration to develop a standard reference guideline for the onshore and submarine pipeline transmission of dense, high pressure CO2.
Eldevik informs that the project’s partners are StatoilHydro, BP, Shell, Petrobras, Vattenfall, Dong Energy, ArcelorMittal, Gassnova, Gassco and ILF. The Technical Reference Group consists of government representatives from the UK, the Netherlands and Norway. The European Commission is also supporting this DNV initiative.
“The joint industry project is an important milestone for CCS and is absolutely timely since the industry really needs this recommended practice. It will be an important contribution to the development of large-scale CCS projects,” emphasizes Eldevik.
The novel issues related to the onshore and submarine pipeline transmission of dense, high pressure CO2 will be covered. The point of departure will be existing pipeline standards for the transmission of hydrocarbons, such as ISO 13623 and DNV OS-F101.
Minimising risk throughout the life cycle
The guideline is intended to help designers and operators limit and manage uncertainties and risks related to the pipeline transmission of CO2 by incorporating current knowledge related to both offshore and onshore operations. It will state rules for managing risks and uncertainties throughout the pipeline’s lifetime, including the design, testing, inspection, operation, maintenance and de-commissioning phases. It will also incorporate the lessons learned from existing and previous projects.
“Due to the features lacking in the current industry standards, this project’s scope of work is related to issues like safety, fast propagating ductile fractures, fatigue crack growth, pipeline operation conditions, flow assurance, corrosion and material compatibility,” says Eldevik.
In order to meet the urgent needs of upcoming CCS initiatives, the guideline will be ready within 18 months.
Date: 27 August 2008