If the Wrap Fits: Using OmegaWrap™ Carbon Composite to Reinforce Corrosion Near Reducer Joints

Throughout Allan Edwards’ 76-year history, many changes have impacted the processes and materials used in pipeline repair. One of the more recent advances in the industry has been the advent of carbon fiber composite wrap systems used to reinforce structural anomalies. For certain applications, these systems have become a popular alternative to traditional steel repair sleeves. When a pipeline operator contacted Allan Edwards in early February 2023 about an anomaly near the girth weld of a concentric reducer on a pipeline in Mississippi, it was quickly determined to be an appropriate use case for the OmegaWrap^® composite repair system.

A Perfect Opportunity

The operator established initial contact with Allan Edwards on February 21st, providing details of general corrosion and pitting that was interacting with the girth weld of a 26”x12” concentric reducer on a pipeline in Mississippi. The above-ground section of the pipeline was carrying natural gas, greatly incentivizing the operator to find a solution that would not require a shutdown or interruption of service. Because of the conic shape of the reducer, Allan Edwards engineers concluded that, for this type of geometry, a steel sleeve would not be the best option. However, the reducer’s geometry presented an opportunity for a wet layup repair like the OmegaWrap® carbon composite system.

Allan Edwards OmegaWrap^® composite repair systems include two variations: both the carbon and e-glass (EG) wet layup systems are ASME PCC-2 qualified and use a combination of fabric, resin, and load transfer putty to reinforce anomalies. Composite repairs are particularly effective for use on or near fittings or sections of a pipeline with atypical configurations or complex geometries that cannot be reinforced with steel sleeves. Both the OmegaWrap^® carbon and e-glass systems repair a variety of defects and accommodate up to 80% wall loss. In addition to being dynamic solutions, both are also quick deployments that do not require welding or service interruption.
Using the custom-application OmegaWrap^® Calculator, Allan Edwards engineers determined the number of required wraps and necessary materials to adequately repair the affected area. Aside from streamlining the OmegaWrap® repair process from a materials perspective, the calculator tool also allowed Allan Edwards to expedite the process from top to bottom and resulted in a quicker response time.

Making a House Call

With the details gathered and all calculations run, supervisors loaded up and traveled to Mississippi within a few days of initial contact from the operator. They arrived onsite February 28th with the OmegaWrap^® carbon system in hand and immediately got to work. Because the operator’s personnel were ready and certified to install, both teams could hit the ground running. The reducer’s awkward shape and size made installing the composite wrap a little less than conventional. However, by utilizing a figure eight application technique, the installers were able to account for the shape of the reducer and the full repair process was completed in just a few hours, without shutting down the pipeline.

Old Dog, New Tricks

Pipeline repair methods have evolved substantially over the last few decades, and new advancements continue to improve the safety and longevity of pipeline performance. The rapid development of composite repair technologies provides operators with added versatility when repairing complex anomalies that may otherwise be significantly more difficult and expensive to repair. The composite repair installation on the reducer, which took just a week from first contact to repair completion, did not require any downtime and serves as a prime example of how Allan Edwards continues to adapt to changing customer needs and steer advancements in pipeline performance.