High pressure non-metallic pipelines for transport of CO2

Joint Industry Project

DNV invites the industry to collaborate on developing industrial practices for safe and reliable transport of CO2 in Flexible Composite Pipes (FCP).

The innovative technology of FCP offers significant advantages in transport of CO2 over traditional steel pipelines, including enhanced corrosion resistance, lower safety risks, reduced maintenance costs, and lower total cost of ownership suitable for both onshore and offshore CCS applications.

Significance of pipeline infrastructure for carbon capture and storage

Pipeline infrastructure is crucial for the effective implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. By transporting captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources to storage sites, pipelines play a vital role in feasibility of large-scale CCS projects. CO2 pipelines are considered the most cost-effective and safe way of transport of CO2 typically in dense or supercritical state. Developing robust pipeline systems is essential for scaling up CCS efforts and achieving global carbon reduction targets.

Challenges with using steel pipelines for CO2 transportation

Transporting CO2 in dense and supercritical states presents several challenges when using conventional steel pipelines. Some of these major challenges include:

  • The presence of impurities such as water, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide can lead to significant corrosion issues
  • Risk of running ductile fractures, which can propagate rapidly along steel pipelines and cause extensive damage.

These challenges have resulted in measures such as strict requirements on the purity of captured CO2 which is allowed into the pipelines, use of crack arrestors and expensive full-scale tests to mitigate the risk of running ductile fracture, significantly affecting the cost and limitations of the steel CO2 pipelines.

Why flexible composite pipes?

FCP pipelines which can be generally divided to Thermoplastic Composite Pipes (TCP) and Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes (RTP) offer a promising solution to the challenges associated with steel pipelines for CO2 transportation. Because of their complete polymeric structure, FCP are highly resistant to corrosion, even in the presence of significant impurities, and can withstand the high pressures and the temperatures required for transporting CO2 in dense and supercritical states. Furthermore, thanks to the extensive presence of glass, aramid or carbon fibers, FCP are expected to be less prone to running ductile fractures. Composite materials which are the building block of FCP are used as crack arrestors in steel CO2 pipelines.

When it comes to cost, previous DNV studies have shown the potentials of FCP in cutting the total cost of ownership of pipelines both onshore and offshore. Flexibility of FCP typically leads to significant reduction in installation cost of pipelines.

Scope of the project

The scope of this joint industry project include:

  • A comprehensive feasibility study and assessment of scenarios where FCP can be effectively used for CO2 transport in various parts of the CCS value chain. This includes evaluating the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of FCP implementation, as well as identifying potential challenges and solutions to ensure successful integration of them into existing infrastructure
  • For the most promising scenarios in the first part of the scope, the project will perform a gap analysis in design and operational practices for FCP used in CO2 transportation for CCUS
  • Following the gap analysis, the project will culminate in the development of a guideline in the format of a DNV Recommended Practice (RP) for safe and reliable transportation of CO2 using FCP.

Project timeline

The project is expected to span between one and a half to two years. This timeline includes various phases such as initial planning, techno-economic feasibility studies, gap analysis in design practices, and development of the project guideline. Regular updates and milestones will ensure that the project stays on track and achieves its objectives within the stipulated timeframe.