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Pipelines to serve a particular need, but many indefnitely from exposure. companies are working to innovate the Clearly, pipeline protection concrete mat even further. is critical to a pipeline’s long-

Flannery explained how, in order term integrity and success. to provide cathodic protection (CP) to pipelines in unstable conditions,

Deep water

Deepwater Corrosion’s offshore Industry leaders are fnding concrete mat design includes cast- that water depth does not ing small, interconnected aluminum negatively impact the con- anodes directly into the concrete. crete mats, so they regularly

Twenty-ft single-release, ROV-friendly frame with

A recently completed project off the stretch the depths into which concrete mat load. Photo: Submar.

coast of California required a tailor- the mats are installed. made solution for an older pipeline More concrete mats have been used is generally regarded as the technology needing protection for another 20-30 “around 5,000 ft,” Bonorden said that is the least obtrusive to operations years. In California, a permanent CP “That’s now starting to get to 7,000 and, equally importantly, the environ- monitoring system replaced the usual and even down to 10,000 ft. They ment and vegetation below and around anodes in the concrete to protect and can also be used all the way up to the the mat. extend the life of the pipeline. The CP shoreline.” In New Orleans, the banks of the monitoring system was connected to Both Premier and Submar have cur- Mississippi River have been lined with the pipeline by a clamp, and in order rent mat installation projects at 7,000 a form of concrete mats since at least to protect the clamp from trawling, a ft in the Gulf of Mexico. Submar will the 1930s for food control. Premier’s four-six block hole was created in the be shipping mats this month to the Bonorden pointed to last year’s report mat. While this particular project was Keathley Canyon, about 250nm south- that the New Orleans branch of the completed in more shallow water – west of New Orleans. U.S. Corp of Engineers were once again around 300 ft deep – Flannery con- lining the river with concrete mats to tends that because concrete mats can maintain stabilization and to keep the

Environmental impact be used in nearly any water depth, this In addition to being used for pipeline river from diverting, estimating that technology could be employed much separation and pipeline crossing, the group had been doing so since further offshore. another notable advantage to using around the 1970s.

There are a few instances in which concrete mats – and one that extends “Although there are no pipelines products are still in danger of mov- beyond the industry—is the product’s involved, it is still erosion control,” ing under concrete mats, primarily in inherent environmental friendliness. Bonorden said. “Once they realized water less than 300 ft deep or where Concrete was cited as environmentally they could do it in inter coastal water- pipelines are located at the mouth of sound by the IMCA, and the mats are ways, it was used up and down the a river. Of course, without any pro- used to combat erosion beneath and coast for the same purpose.” tection at all, the unthinkable could surrounding pipelines. In cases where “In all reality, you’re not just protect- happen: pipelines could jump or the soil under the pipeline is eroding, ing the pipeline,” Submar’s Roberts break. Furthermore, the environment the mat can be used to span that area, said. “You are also protecting nature around the pipeline could be harmed thereby halting erosion underneath. It from the pipeline.”

Carrier Marine & Offshore Systems offers cooling and refrigeration solutions customized to the unique conditions found on offshore platforms. As a global leader, we work to bring safe, sustainable products to every corner of the world – even if yours is in the middle of the sea.

For more information visit www.marinesystems.carrier.com

We custom design solutions for the world’s most

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