oa Critical and Comprehensive Evaluation of High Pressure Pipeline Rehabilitation Methods and Patents for Seeking Innovation Trends

Background: Fluid transport pipelines are subjected to operating conditions that generate their continuous deterioration. The deterioration rate is of great significance when the pipeline is considered a high pressure line (above 200 psi), which can lead to major loss of life and assets in case of any system's failure. Objective: This study seeks for innovative pressure pipeline intervention methods used in industry, like the oil & gas. Methodology: An exhaustive revision of literature from diverse sectors of pressurized fluid transport through pipelines was performed, with special emphasis on oil & gas sector. The traditional criteria were reviewed including the possibility of implementing the intervention while in service, the possibility of application of the method with leakage, the classes of defects in which the method is effective, material classes, user-friendliness, and risks associated with the implementation of the methods. The new principle depends on the ability of the method to relieve the stresses of the intervened area immediately. A patent review of trench technologies was also performed to emphasize innovation evolution and possible investigation trends referring to “active” interventions. Conclusion: The selection of rehabilitation methods is dependent on the degree of the integrity improvement, operability and the desired increase in the remaining life. Most of the developed technologies are applied with the common defects found in the pressurized transportation pipelines. There has been an important change in the generated patents for the industry that shows the evolution from mere mechanical containments to hybrid rehabilitation methods that lead to the “active” trend.