PLASTIC PIPES FOR HYDROCARBON TRANSPORT AND GENERAL USE

Traditionally, steel pipelines have been used for the construction of hydrocarbon pipelines, with the use of plastic pipes being restricted to water and sewage applications. There has been a trend to substitute traditional steel pipes with plastic pipes for constructing pipelines used in the transportation of hydrocarbons. Plastic pipes can also be used for various associated applications, including seawater cooling lines, water injection lines, drilling effluent lines, ballast lines, fire mains, potable water lines, and sewage lines. Using plastic pipes for hydrocarbon transport and terminal applications is generally driven by cost. However, the material's corrosion and chemical resistance properties give it distinct advantages over ferrous materials. This research gives information on the selection process for the acceptance and suitability of plastic pipes for the transportation of hydrocarbons and general utility applications at terminals and pump stations