Steel requirements for current and future Canadian gas pipeline systems

Abstract

Canada has significant future natural gas reserve potential, particularly in the frontier areas of the Canadian Arctic. To utilize these energy resources, as well as those in Alaska, USA, will require major pipeline construction activity throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The first major natural gas pipeline, the Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline Project, is now under construction using high-strength (Grade 483), high-pressure line pipe. For future pipelines, the use of even higher strength line pipe materials (Grade 690) offers potential savings of the order of 25% in the cost of transporting gas. While materials at this strength level are currently feasible, further research is required to ensure their reliability in pipeline applications.