Looking ahead: to carbon dioxide transmission
DNV sets CO2 pipeline standard
DNV has unveiled the world's first carbon dioxide transmission guidelines, put together via a joint industry project set up about a year ago.
The guidelines, which extend existing pipeline standards to incorporate CO2 transmission, were devised by a group of leading industry players, including pipe producer ArcelorMittal, supermajors BP, Chevron and Shell, as well as Norwegian pipeline operator Gassco and DNV.
Government representatives from the UK, Netherlands and Norway also took part in the CO2pipetrans working group's deliberations.
Froydis Eldevik, who heads DNV's carbon capture and storage section, said the new guidelines provide guidance and set criteria for the development, design, construction, oepration and maintenance of steel pipelines.
The guidelines cover most large-scale CO2 transmissions, and will apply, for example, to new on- and offshore lines which carry fluids with a high CO2 content, as well as to pipelines carrying CO2 captured from hydrocarbon streams.
However, DNV said that while the guidelines represent a big step forward, there is still more work to do as the second phase of the CO2pipetrans project gets under way.
Project manager Kaare Helle said: “The development of the guideline has given us excellent insight into transporting large quantities of high pressure, dense phase CO2.
“During our work, we identified several knowledge gaps which have to be dealt with. DNV is therefore initiating a second phase, which will deliver an updated recommended practice.
"This will give regulators and the industry sufficient confidence that the risks related to the transportation of CO2 are acceptable and manageable,” he added.
The agency said that its existing partners will take part in the project and it hopes more players will come on board.
A series of roadshows have been set up in Houston, Calgary and London over the next three weeks for interested parties. Further information and contact details can be found on DNV's website.
