Onshore Pipeline High-grade Steel for Challenge Utilization

High-pressure pipeline transportation is one of the key technologies to connect remote gas fields and deliver gas at competitive prices to consumer markets. Arctic regions will become more attractive in the near future as large gas resources are located there. Long onshore pipeline systems, characterized by high-strength steels (above API 5L grade X80, i.e., exceeding 555 MPa yield strength) operated at high internal gas pressure (more than 10–12 MPa) in many cases appear to be the most convenient transportation option. This paper highlights the latest follow-up from a long-lasting R&D program launched by Eni, together with industrial/technical partners, on the exploitation of commercially available options with high-grade steels for onshore applications even in harsh environments. The results obtained in this R&D program can be useful even for applications in Arctic onshore or offshore scenarios.