Effect of Pipeline Trenchless

Methods on Pipeline
Integrity
By Nadhir I. Al-Nasri

Chairman, Piping Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco

Agenda
Introduction
Type of Problems associated with trenchless
methods.
Pipeline trenchless methods
Major Factors Affecting HDD
Conclusion

Introduction

During pipeline construction, two ways are used

to install the pipeline under road and rail road.
Open cut.
Trenchless methods (thrust boring).

Type of Problems associated with thrust

boring
Coating damage
Dent, gouges and collapse of the pipe
Road settlement
Wrong or shifting from the drilling path

Wrong drilling path

In 2006, During the construction
of the 42-inch line; the boring bit
contacted the 48-inch wild crude
pipeline.

External Corrosion

In 2008, ILI inspection revealed severe external corrosion

defects on the 24 condensate pipeline. The segment under
the air port highway was installed by trenchless method in
2002.

External Corrosion
In 2009, external corrosion at section VII
of the 48 crude pipeline at two
locations; one was under major highway
and the other one was under a road.
These segments were installed by thrust
boring at 2002.

Dent and Gouges

In November, 2011, dents during
trenchless boring at 32 crude pipeline
was found.
This line was under construction

Road Settlement

In December 2011, settlement of 5 cm of asphalt

road at Jubail after completing the 40 pipeline
trenchless construction.

Major pipeline leak

In January, 2012, a leak occurred on the
36 pipeline under highway.
The line was built in 2004.

Road settlement and collapse

In February 2012, Collapse occurred at
the right shoulder of main road after
trenchless construction of the 48
pipeline.

Pipelines Trenchless Methods

Pipe Jacking
Pipe Ramming
Auger Boring
Guided Auger Boring
Microtunneling
Horizontal Directional Drilling

Auger Boring
Auger Boring simultaneously jacks the
casing forward while removing the spoil
via rotating auger blades.

Courtesy UKSTT

pipe sizes 4-48

Length from 5meter to 120 meters
Saudi Aramco uses this methodology
in crossing fence.
Courtesy BTrenchless.com

Microtunneling

Microtunneling

Pipe sizes 4 to 60 and larger.

Span lengths of up to 450m
Used in highway crossings
Less risk of settlement
Less risk of coating damage
Slow compared to HDD

Horizontal Directional Drilling

From the entry point, a small diameter pilot holes is drilled to the exit point.

The hole is enlarge by pulling back reaming tool through the pilot hole.
To make the hole larger than the pipe diameter, more than one pass
may be required.

The pipe is attached to a swivel and pulled into

place.

Horizontal Directional Drilling

Pipe size 2 to 48
Distances from 25 meters up to
2,000 meters
HDD is relatively quick
Lower overall costs

If it is not conducted
properly, coating damage and
road settlement problems
and dents in the pipe are
found.
Most commonly used for
Saudi Aramco pipeline
installation

Major Factors affecting HDD

Pipe buoyancy control

During pulling process, the buoyant weight of the pipe and drag forces will
act as resistance forces.
Drag force can be sever enough to damage the coating and collapse the pipe

T1

T2

Fr+DRAG

Ws

Major Factors affecting HDD

Final bore size

Coating type (pipe+joint).

The general rule of thumb is to

ream the drill hole to 1.5 times
the outside diameter.

Anti-Abrasion Coating.

Type of pipe used. (seamless,

straight seam or spiral welded
pipe.

Girth weld
Spiral weld

Proposals to reduce coating

damage

The planned route should have the minimum

bends as possible with maximum bend radius.

No practical in some cases.

Proposals to reduce coating

damage

Apply non-metallic wrapping.

Additional cost
Increase the stiffness of the
pipeline

Use straight seam pipe.

Material availability

Conclusion
Pipeline integrity under the road and rail road is
very critical to pipeline operation as it affects
public safety.
The most common trenchless methodology used
is HDD. However several factors including
coating type, installation loads should be
evaluated.

THANKS