DNV GL JIP releases new CO2 pipeline design data

Oct. 8, 2014
The DNV GL-led CO2PIPETRANS joint industry project is releasing new data focusing on the transportation component of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) projects.

Offshore staff

HØVIK, Norway – The DNV GL-led CO2PIPETRANS joint industry project (JIP) is releasing new data focusing on the transportation component of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) projects. The data, relating to the depressurization of CO2 pipelines, will help fill knowledge gaps associated with the safe and reliable pipeline transport of CO2 and result in cost efficiencies through an improved design basis for CO2 pipelines.   

Computer simulations of gas dispersion are used to assess the consequences of an accidental release from a pipeline.

“Previously, CO2 pipelines have been designed using unvalidated computer simulations of CO2 dispersion due to the lack of experimental data,” said Jock Brown, DNV GL – Oil & Gas project manager. “This uncertainty contributes to an unnecessary gold-plating of the pipelines. This new data is one step in the right direction. It builds on the success of previous experimental data released by DNV GL and can be used by the CCS industry and designers to validate computer simulations used in CO2 pipeline design, thus optimizing the design process.”

The datasets contain the results of depressurization tests on a CO2 pipeline collected at the DNV GL Spadeadam test site in the UK as part of the second phase of the CO2PIPETRANS JIP started in 2011.

The data and supporting materials can be downloaded from DNV GL’s website at no cost. In addition to making datasets for model validation publicly available, the JIP also involves work to improve the understanding of CO2 pipeline propagating cracks and corrosion rates with various CO2 stream impurities.

The CO2PIPETRANS JIP consists of 15 partner organizations: Arcelor Mittal, BP, DNV GL, Endesa, ENI, E.ON Ruhrgas, Gassco, Gassnova, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) UK, Maersk OilPetrobras, Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) Norway, Shell, V&M Deutschland, and Vattenfall.

The DNV GL Recommended Practice (RP) “DNV-RP-J202 Design and Operation of CO2 Pipelines” will be updated to reflect the new knowledge, and will help ensure that the highest safety standards are met when transporting CO2. This RP is one of a number of widely-adopted industry guidelines developed by DNV GL for CO2 handling, such as RPs for CO2 capture, CO2 pipelines, and CO2 geological storage.

10/08/2014