Best Oil and Gas Supply Pipe Material?

Published on by in Academic

Which material is the best to use for pipes for oil and gas supply? 

I need a material which will not influence the gas or oil in any way nor be degraded (corroded) by oil. Alternatively, which material is the slowest to be degraded by oil?

Taxonomy

6 Answers

  2. Oil feed pipes

    Domestic oil supply pipes are usually made of plastic-coated soft copper tubing that can be easily manipulated. Steel pipes are not commonly used for domestic installations, but steel pipes can offer additional protection from damage or vandalism. If steel pipes are used, they should not be galvanised and must be painted and maintained to minimise corrosion. Plastic pipe systems are also available but must only be used below ground. Fittings and jointing materials must be suitable for the type of pipe and fuel being used.

    Oil supply systems
    There are two types of oil supply systems; gravity and sub-gravity. Gravity supply systems are arranged so that the pressure of the oil in the tank pushes the oil along the pipe to feed the burner at the appliance. A typical gravity supply would consist of a bottom outlet oil storage tank positioned above the height of the burner.

    The tank is often elevated to the required height by a platform on top of brick piers.

    Sub-gravity systems rely on a mechanical device such as an oil de-aerator or lifter to assist the oil in reaching the burner. For satisfactory performance, it is critical that oil supply pipes used with sub-gravity systems are correctly sized.

    Your OFTEC registered technician will be able to suggest the most appropriate oil supply system for your particular needs.
     

    External/exposed pipes
    For best performance, oil supply pipework should take the most direct route between the oil tank and burner, while avoiding high and low points in the pipework, the creation of trip hazards, or anything likely to damage the pipe and joints. Pipes must be supported by purpose made clips and attached to permanent structures such as a wall. A garden shed or wooden boundary fence is not classed as a permanent structure because it will deteriorate with age and any movement may damage the pipe and fittings.
     

    Buried oil supply pipes

    Directly buried oil supply pipes should be protected against the risk of accidental damage caused by digging. The recommended installation method is as follows:

    • A trench should be excavated to a depth of 450mm
    • 40mm of compacted sand is laid on the bottom of the trench, the oil pipe positioned, and a further 40mm of compacted sand is laid above the pipe
    • Builder’s grade polyethylene is laid above the sand and the trench is then backfilled, positioning an oil line warning marker tape 150mm below the finished ground level.

    Oil supply pipes should be buried at least 300mm clear of other underground services such as water and electricity. Joints in buried pipework should be avoided if at all possible. If joints have to be made, a permanent means of access for inspection of the joints must be provided.
     

     

    Entry into buildings

    Where an oil pipe passes through the wall of a building it must be run within a sleeve, such as a larger plastic pipe. Oil supply pipes should not be run underground directly into the interior of a building. Instead the pipe should rise externally to allow a remote acting fire valve to be fitted before it enters the building.
     

    Fire valves

    A fire valve is an essential safety feature of an oil installation, which will stop the supply of oil in the event of a fire or an overheat situation occurring at the appliance. The valve must be located outside the building, before the point of entry, and must be activated by a remote sensor. Existing oil feed pipes that are not accessible outside of the building, and do not have a fire valve, can have one added at the first point where the pipe appears internally. This is not permitted on a new pipe installation, but can improve the safety of an existing installation. Fire valves are also required for externally located boilers.

    Your OFTEC registered technician will be able to offer advice on the correct selection and positioning of fire valves.
     

    Annual inspection

    Oil supply pipes must be inspected regularly for general condition and this is often done as part of a routine boiler
    service. Any damage, deterioration or leaks from joints should be repaired at the earliest opportunity. For underground pipes, pressure testing is likely to be required.

  3. Domestic oil supply pipes  are usually made of plastic-coated soft copper tubing ... Steel pipes  are not  commonly used for domestic installations, but steel pipes can  ... Fittings and jointing materials  must be suitable for the type  of pipe  and fuel ... is then backfilled, positioning an oil line  warning marker tape 150mm below the ...

  5. Gumbriatno,

    Steve is right. You need more information.

    There is not an only answer for this question. Depending of the country some materials are cheaper than others due to availability (HDPE, MDPE, RTP, etc). Rocky soils sometimes requires ensure pipe life span using carbon steel instead. Country regulations, and industry standards (O&G, nuclear, food processing, etc.) may require additional safety factors that make one material more suitable than other despite the cost.

    Just for Oil and Gas these are general guidelines, but  more information is  needed:

    Low pressure pipes  under 200 psig MAWP (Maximum Allowable Working Pressure) HDPE or MDPE is used depending of the diameter and location classification (population density).

    Reinforced Thermoplastic Resin Pipes (RTP or RTRP) are used pressure at pressures near 2000 psig, depending also by pipe diameter, thickness and location classification.

    Carbon Steel is also used if the corrosion levels can be mitigated using corrosion inhibitors and if periodical magnetic internal inspections can be performed.

    I have used all of these pipes in my career and in each case a particular analysis was done to decide the best option for the application.

     

  6. Hi Gumbiratno - you need to say what pressure, diameter, length and environment (buried, outside in daylight etc) to inform the decision. You also need to decide on how critical you regard the pipeline. Do you want to bury it and forget it for ever (would perhaps lean toward stainless steel as used in nuclear installations) or are you happy to replace frequently and monitor its condition / deterioration to actively asset manage it?  

    Sorry it's not straightforward but perhaps you could provide more background?