DNV, Partners Developing CO2 Pipeline Standard
by SubseaIQ staff
Friday, August 29, 2008
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Det Norske Veritas (DNV), together with major industry partners, is developing a new standard for transportation of CO2 in pipelines. The initiative is expected to remedy the lack of coverage in existing standards and regulations for issues relating to CO2 in the dense, high-pressure phase.
A 'step forward'
"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," said DNV project manager Froeydis Eldevik. "This (the new standard) will apply for the oil and gas industry when it comes to the transmission part of a CCS industrial project."
According to Eldevik, it is necessary to address the novel issues of CO2 in the dense, high-pressure phase when designing, engineering, operating, and maintaining the pipelines. "These issues are different in many aspects from transmission of hydrocarbons in pipelines," she explained. "This recommended practice (or standard) will give guidance on best practice -- that is, 'how to' questions will be answered here, based on the expert knowledge we have in the industry at the moment."
DNV stated that, in regard to CO2 pipeline transmission, stakeholders demand a robust, traceable, and transparent approach that lends credence to the proper management of risks and uncertainties. "Some of the current standards do not address CO2 in such a detail as the industry needs today," noted Eldevik.
Eldevik pointed out that the industry confronts a markedly different regulatory climate than it did in years past. These regulatory changes stem from public and governmental demands for a more stringent risk management regime related to CO2 in dense, high-pressure phases. Hence the industry has had to become more aware of novel CO2 issues.
DNV stated that 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. The exclusion of such factors in turn hinders the effective large-scale deployment of CCS, the risk management provider added. "By following this recommended practice or standard, the industry will be in compliance with regulations," Eldevik said.
Broad joint industry project
The DNV-led industrial collaboration aims to develop a standard reference guideline for the onshore and submarine pipeline transmission of dense, high pressure CO2. The point of departure will be existing pipeline standards for the transmission of hydrocarbons, such as ISO 13623 and DNV OS-F101. DNV's partners include: 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," emphasized Eldevik.
Minimizing risk throughout the life cycle
According to DNV, 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," said Eldevik.
DNV stated the guideline will be ready within 18 months.
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