Breaking Into CIPP Repair for Oil and Gas Pipes: Is It Worth It?
The CIPP repair market is expanding daily, with new developments and opportunities driving the trend. The gas and oil industry is one of the fastest-growing markets for cured-in-place pipe. The pipelines that crisscross our country help supply crude oil and natural gas for our energy needs, and those pipelines need repairs that meet government safety regulations.
This is where CIPP repair for oil and gas pipes comes into play.
But is this market the right place for your business to expand? There are many factors to consider when adding a new service to your repair company, and oil and gas repairs are no exception. Here’s what you need to know about gas and oil CIPP repairs before you invest.
Why CIPP Repair for Oil and Gas Pipes?
Energy infrastructure needs repairs, but replacing corroded, damaged, or obsolete pipes across thousands of miles may be impossible. The expense is staggering, so much so that some of these pipelines are simply abandoned when they become problematic.
CIPP repair for oil and gas pipes is an alternative to abandoning older pipelines, and it could save oil and gas companies millions of dollars in the long run. Not only does CIPP reduce downtimes and improve efficiency, but it can also remediate stranded pipelines for new purposes.
Seals almost all leaks
Protects against corrosion
Maintains integrity and flow
Repurposes “stranded” assets for new uses
Versatile applications
Minimal disruptions
Oil and Gas Pipeline Repair Challenges
But with all these advantages in mind, CIPP repair businesses need to know the challenges that come with working on pipelines carrying oil, gas, or other volatile materials. There are strict regulations for almost every aspect of oil and gas pipelines, and the CIPP repairs must meet these requirements without creating safety concerns.
Climate
The temperature and physical location of a pipeline change the demands of the lining itself. CIPP repairs for oil and gas pipes must take into account the temperatures in which the pipes will exist. Heat levels can change flow rates and corrosion risks. Some pipes must also maintain a specific internal temperature to operate safely.
Substrate
Above-ground, underground, and underwater pipelines all pose unique challenges, so resins and liner materials need to be customized for these different conditions. Likewise, the type of substrate in which pipes are buried can change the needs of the lining due to temperature fluctuations.
Impurities
Harvested oils and natural gas carry particulates and impurities before they’re refined. Since the fluids often travel at hundreds of feet per second, the impurities can quickly cause abrasive damage that could result in pipe failure. If a lining material isn’t designed to handle these impurities, the liner won’t be able to withstand these conditions.
Flammability
Since oil and gas lines carry flammable fluids, nonflammable epoxies, resins, and liners should be used. Also, materials that require extreme heat to cure (including flame-cured lining methods) should be avoided.
Flow Rates
Proper flow rates are dependent on both the fluids in the pipes and the friction caused by the interior of the pipes. Special formulations of resin can reduce friction, making rehabilitated pipes more efficient than the original ones in some cases.
What It Takes to Add Oil and Gas Repair Services
CIPP repair for oil and gas pipes takes specialized equipment and materials, along with training from experienced installers. The knowledge component will be a key to your business’s success in implementing these repairs, but without the right equipment and materials, that knowledge won’t achieve the right results.
Custom Liners and Membrane Barriers
Each CIPP repair for oil and gas pipes requires a unique approach, down to the types of liners the repair business needs to use. In some cases, repairs may need to add an impermeable membrane barrier to protect against leaks and corrosion. If you’re planning to venture into these types of repairs, you’ll need to bid on each project individually with only minimal crossover from job to job. That makes inventory more difficult to maintain and manage.
Highly Specialized Resins
Residential CIPP resins are designed to handle sewer, wastewater, and potable water. While they may hold up to some corrosive fluids, they won’t work for the highly specialized requirements of oil and gas lines. Your business will need to research and stock completely separate resins for gas and oil CIPP repairs.
Composite Reinforcement
Since oil and gas pipelines run under high pressure and at high flow rates, pipes must maintain better structural integrity than gravity lines. The solution is composite reinforcement in repair liners. These more complex liner designs provide the structural reinforcement necessary for these types of applications, but they’re more expensive and may not work for a wide variety of applications.
Extensive Materials Testing
Inadequate installations in the oil and natural gas industry result in catastrophic damage to assets, land, and the environment. Repair businesses need to extensively test their materials to make sure their repairs can handle the corrosion, pressure, and use required for these CIPP repairs. ASTM testing covers basic safety requirements, but durability, corrosion resistance, and strength testing go beyond these basic requirements.
Is It Worth Adding CIPP Repair for Oil and Gas Pipes?
So should your company add CIPP repair for oil and gas pipes? Here’s a few questions to consider before you make your choice:
1: Is there a market in your area?
If your community doesn’t have oil or gas pipelines in need of service, the investment may be more than the potential revenue.
2: Can you invest in new equipment and materials?
If the budget doesn’t allow for specialized inventory or equipment at this time, it’s probably better to continue building your residential and commercial services outside of the gas and oil industries.
3: Can your technicians find adequate training?
Whether it’s time constraints or not having experienced experts in your area, lack of training is a clear indication that this is not yet the market for your business.
4: Are the specifications and risks worth the effort?
Oil and gas pipelines come with inherent risks to workers, so expanding into the market means assessing those risks and taking on the responsibilities that come with them.
For most pipe lining businesses, the need for specialized training, equipment, and materials makes the oil and gas rehabilitation market out of reach. Small businesses willing to put in the time, effort, and financial resources, however, could see positive gains by entering a still-growing market segment with less competition.
When Oil and Gas Remediation and Repair Isn’t Right for You
If CIPP repair for oil and gas pipes doesn’t match your company’s structure, you can still improve your profits by offering better service, better solutions, and better products. The key is finding a top-tier pipe lining supply company.
At T3, we pride ourselves on providing the best customer service, training, and materials in one place. Reach out to find out what makes us different, and let us help you grow your business the right way!