Primus Line in the starting blocks for extended use of temporary surface pipelines in Canadian province of Alberta

Water is one of the most important natural resources on our planet. It is essential for both human and environmental health and is a valuable resource to industry, agriculture and energy production. In order to protect and preserve precious fresh water reservoirs, the Alberta Energy Regulator from Canada intends to amend its Directive 077 “Pipelines – Requirements and Reference Tools” – enabling the transport and use of alternative waters in temporary surface pipelines such as Primus Line® Overland Piping.

As-is situation

The present Directive 077 already includes temporary surface pipelines (TSP) with, however, a use restricted to a specific number of days and to well testing. With the amendment, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) plans to extend and regulate the TSP application to the transport and use of alternative waters such as produced water and water-based flowback, mainly for oil and gas, but also mining operations. This will reduce the amount of high-quality water for such purpose and thus conserve valuable resources.

Up to now, industries have used permanent underground pipelines to transport water for long-term needs. But these pipelines are expensive and can cause significant ground disturbance, for example due to opening trenches during installation or leaks caused by untight connections. When the underground pipes are no longer needed, they must undergo intensive abandonment procedures to restore the environment. This will even become mandatory for all new temporary pipelines to be constructed.

Characteristics and advantages of temporary surface pipelines (TSP)

As the term implies, TSPs are considered as pipelines. Pipelines are designed for a high pressure of up to 300 psi (20 bar) whereas a bypass, for example, for only up to 150 psi (10 bar). The TSPs are laid above ground for a restricted period of time to transport mainly effluent or produced water: either from or to oil, gas or mining production sites.

The installation of TSPs makes sense for shorter-term activities and in cases where a buried pipeline would be considered unpractical. Moreover, TSPs have a smaller environmental footprint: They are a no-dig solution, require minimal vegetation clearing and can often be laid on an existing pipeline or in the ditch of an access road.

The F-Liner by Primus Line incorporates all these characteristics – and even more. Its three-layered structure – thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for lining and cover and an aramid fabric as reinforcement – offers not only high chemical resistance and flexibility, but also an extremely high tensile strength for a complete stand-alone pressure absorption. Furthermore, its flexibility makes it reusable, allowing several deployments. Specially developed connectors complement the system and make Primus Line® Overland Piping safe and reliable. The system is available in diameters from 6 to 14 inches and thus perfectly suited for above-ground applications.

Summary

Using TSPs like Primus Line® Overland Piping for temporally limited water transport offers much more flexibility for operators as far as routing, deployment, commissioning, operation itself and monitoring are concerned – taking into consideration the sensitivity of the surrounding area.

The directive sections on the use of gaseous and non-fresh water as test media for pressure testing will be revised and will then include comprehensive requirements for the use of temporary surface pipelines. All in all, the proposed changes will provide greater clarity, improved alignment with standards of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), cost savings and extended options to use TSPs. Which are also expected to come outside Alberta. If they do, Primus Line is ready.

At the beginning of February, the “2023 Produced Water Symposium” was exclusively dedicated to the planned amendment of AER Directive 077. Primus Line distribution partner Red-L from Nisku in Alberta invited their customers to get overall information on the amended directive itself and how to comply with it: A panel of global industry and government officials offered their expertise on temporary surface pipeline solutions, deployment equipment, leak detection equipment, spill containment, pump specifications, produced water treatment, water heating and water storage.

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Primus Line in the starting blocks for extended use of temporary surface pipelines in Canadian province of Alberta

Characteristics and advantages of temporary surface pipelines (TSP)

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