The Challenge

An oil and gas operator needed to rehabilitate an aging pipeline to meet operational requirements. The pipeline was in a highly environmentally sensitive area where only minimal ground disturbance was permitted under both regulatory and landowner constraints. Conventional open-cut replacement of the existing line was not acceptable, and installation of a new steel pipeline was not an option, as environmental approvals would not be granted for traditional steel construction methods.

The Solution

To address both environmental and performance challenges, the operator selected FlexSteel’s 10-inch, 1,500 psi pipe. The pipe’s steel-reinforced structure, long continuous lengths, and high tensile strength made it an ideal solution for a trenchless rehabilitation method. These attributes allowed the FlexSteel pipe to be pulled through long sections of the existing, corroded pipeline, significantly reducing the need for excavation while maintaining structural integrity throughout the installation process.

The Result

Using steel-reinforced FlexSteel pipeline products enabled the operator to complete the process with minimal environmental impact and reduced surface disruption. The entire project was completed in just 36 days and required excavation of only five bellholes along the full 6,000-foot pipeline. The 10-inch steel-reinforced pipe met all required flow rate and pressure requirements, and ShieldSure® annulus pressure testing confirmed the pipe was successfully installed without damage to the external shield, providing confidence in long-term system performance.