Engineering and technologies

Reeled Mechanically Lined Pipe

A cost-effective reelable rigid pipe solution for the
transportation of highly corrosive products

A novel design,
qualified for reel-lay installation
Technip has developed, patented and successfully qualified an
innovative mechanically lined pipe design, which is compatible with the
very efficient reel-lay installation method, at atmospheric pressure.

Mechanically lined pipe concept

The mechanically lined pipe, also called lined pipe, is a bimetal pipe product, comprising a
carbon steel pipe hosting a thin corrosion resistant material, such as alloy 316L, 904L, 825 or 625,
selected based upon the nature of the transported fluids.
The manufacturing process, although varying slightly from one supplier to another, consists of:
Expanding the liner inside the host pipe in a controlled manner
Once the expansion forces are released, an interference stress between liner and host pipe
develops. This is the mechanical bond that gives the mechanically lined pipe its reference
name

Lined pipe after expansion

Technip has established a methodology for determining the optimised wall thickness of the
liner material, which enables safe reeling. Such methodology is the subject of a patent
application and applies to all mechanically lined pipe products used by Technip for reel-lay
installations, irrespective of the supplier.

Commercial advantages
Mechanically lined pipes are cost attractive alternatives to the traditionally used Corrosion
Resistant Alloy (CRA) pipes or metallurgically bonded clad pipes. This especially applies when it
is combined with the reel-lay installation method for the following reasons:

Cross section

Significantly lower procurement costs

Faster delivery time
Availability of 12 m long joints, even for small outside diameter pipes, which may result in
lower welding costs
Lined pipes not susceptible to Hydrogen Induced Stress Cracking (HISC)
Lower susceptibility to yield strength de-rating than some CRA pipes, at elevated
temperature
The patented novel design enables safe reel-lay at atmospheric pressure, hence there is no
impact on normal reel-lay operations
Each lined pipes joint extremity is terminated by a seal overlay weld, which provides greater
operational flexiblility during fabrication and in the offshore installation phase

Overlay seal weld

A significant track record of welding and reeling bimetal pipes

A key aspect of this technology is the production and Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) of
high quality welds, compatible with the demands of the reel-lay installation method. Over the
years, Technip has gained relevant experience through a track record for such girth welds
between bimetal pipes:
Plastic lined pipes Stalk Ends Tie-ins - 300+ km over 13 projects
Metallurgically clad pipes - 60+ km over 7 projects
Girth weld

Reeled Mechanically Lined Pipe

Integrity of test samples fully preserved, despite very conservative testing conditions

A design methodology endorsed by DNV

The Technip qualification programme followed the process of DNV RP A203 which covers
Qualification of New Technology. Following a thorough review of the qualification dossier,
DNV issued a certificate of Fitness for Service for the Technip reelable lined pipe solution.
The steps to Technips successful qualification:
Develop finite-element model, validated by full scale bending test programme
Develop a reeling friendly novel design, based on the results of an extensive numerical study
Validate the new design by testing
Simulate conservative reeling (up to 3.5 times actual reel-lay operation)
Simulate harsh in-service conditions (repeat 0.5% strain bending cycles at 150C)
DNV representative witnessed testing and post mortem examination
Used a range of pipe dimensions, liner grade materials and suppliers product tested

Apache II

Deep Blue

Conference publications
OPT 2011: Pepin A., Tkaczyk, T. and Denniel S., Cost Efficient Solution for the Transportation of Highly Corrosive Fluids.
OTC 2011-21487: Denniel S., Tkaczyk T. and Smith D., 2011, Reelable Cost Effective and Enabling Pipeline Technologies.
OMAE 2011-49270: Tkaczyk T., Pepin A. and Denniel S., 2011, Integrity of Mechanically Lined Pipes Subjected to Multi-Cycle Plastic Bending.

Reeled Mechanically Lined Pipe

HEADQUARTERS
Technip
89 avenue de la Grande Arme
75773 Paris Cedex 16
France
Phone: +33 (0)1 47 78 24 00
CONTACTS
Subsea Assets & Technologies
Division
Robby OSULLIVAN
Direct line: +33 1 47 78 57 92
Direct fax: +33 1 47 78 67 83
E-mail: rosullivan@technip.com
Offshore Engineering Division
Sylvain DENNIEL
Phone: +44 (0) 1224 271727
E-mail: sdenniel@technip.com

www.technip.com

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this document is
accurate and up to date, all details are subject to change and should be verified before being relied upon.
Technip accepts no liability or responsibility for any action taken on the basis of this information and no
warranty or guarantee of any kind is given by Technip in connection with this information.
Technip UK Communications - April 2011 - Photo credits: Technip.