Protecting Ageing Pipelines: From Hidden Corrosion to Effective Rehabilitation

Corrosion beneath deteriorating coatings can remain hidden until a leak or failure brings it to the surface. For pipeline operators, the consequences can extend to unplanned repairs, operational disruption and difficult decisions about where to invest in rehabilitation.

A well-informed rehabilitation programme starts with understanding the steel, the coating and the environment around them. Why has protection deteriorated? Which replacement system suits the conditions? How will application quality be verified?

FIMS brings these decisions together through:

• Understanding the damage. Site evaluation, corrosion assessment and root-cause investigation help establish the factors contributing to deterioration and guide the rehabilitation approach.
• Selecting a suitable coating system. Laboratory consultation and coating testing support the evaluation of alternatives, helping operators weigh technical requirements, application constraints and project cost.
• Checking the quality of execution. Surface preparation, coating thickness and adhesion all deserve close attention. FIMS provides inspection support against the specified requirements and the coating manufacturer’s instructions.

On a buried 20-inch pipeline affected by external pitting beneath disbonded polyethylene tape, FIMS supported the investigation and evaluation of replacement coatings. The operator selected spray-applied liquid epoxy following consideration of the technical and cost requirements, and engaged an approved applicator. FIMS’s engineer remained involved in witnessing surface preparation and inspecting the finished coating.

This experience reflects the value FIMS brings to ageing assets: practical engineering support that connects the cause of deterioration with coating selection and quality checks during rehabilitation.

For operators planning their next rehabilitation investment, a clearer understanding of these factors supports better-informed decisions about scope, materials and execution.

Talk to FIMS about a coating assessment and rehabilitation inspection approach tailored to your pipeline.