Thermoplastic liners for pipelines are being specified with increasing frequency to protect new and rehabilitated pipelines in corrosive oilfield services. Thermoplastic liner systems are described in NACE Publication 35101. The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI)(Footnote 1) has published a report on pipeline rehabilitation by sliplining with polyethylene pipe. Svetlik has reviewed tight-fitting liner technologies in an ASTM(Footnote 2) report. The Canadian Standards Association(Footnote 3) has also addressed thermoplastic liners. Some oil and gas companies have developed internal standards and specifications. This standard recommended practice is not intended to replace existing national or corporate standards and requirements based on specific local experience. It is intended to provide a foundation for proper use of thermoplastic liners in cases where there is no established standard. This standard is intended for use by liner installers, owners of lined pipelines and pipelines that might at some point need a liner, liner materials suppliers, and consultants and engineering firms engaged in the subject field.

The growth of interest in liners is fueling the emergence of installation contractors engaged in supplying liners for oil company operator owners. If the owner has internal specifications and performance requirements that must be met by the contractor, or if the contractor is experienced and has expertise in all aspects of liner design and installation, it is likely that the right choices will be made and the lined pipeline will operate successfully for the designed lifetime. This case implies the participation of companies with substantial technical resources that can be brought to bear on the project. Successful implementation of a lined pipeline system requires experience and expertise on the part of both the installer contractor and the operator.

The intent is that project specifications be developed based on this standard. It provides a common design basis consistent with best engineering practices. It is to the benefit of liner users and installers to have a standard for liner design, installation, and operation to help ensure that the installed product meets performance expectations. This standard represents minimum requirements and should not be interpreted as a restriction on the use of better procedures or materials.

This standard was prepared by NACE Task Group (TG) 037 on Thermoplastic Liners for Oilfield Pipelines. TG 037 is administered by Specific Technology Group (STG) 03 on Protective Coatings and Linings-lmmersion/Buried, and is sponsored by STG 10 on Materials Applications, STG 33 on Oil and Gas Production-Nonmetallics and Wear Coatings (Metallic), and STG 35 on Pipelines, Tanks, and Well Casings. This standard is published under the auspices of STG 03 on Protective Coatings and Linings-lmmersion/Buried.

Footnote 1 - Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI), 1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 680, Washington, DC 20009

Footnote 2 - ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.

Footnote 3 - Canadian Standards Association (CSA), 5060 Spectrum Way, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6 Canada.