NETL, Oceanit Labs develop treatment for pipeline walls

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), working with Oceanit Laboratories, has produced an ultra-thin surface treatment that is designed to reduce corrosion and surface friction on pipe walls.

The treatment could significantly improve the reliability of the nation’s extensive 2.5 million mile energy pipeline network, which delivers natural gas and oil to homes, businesses, and industries across the United States. This treatment will help extend the life of this pipeline network, both improving safety and preventing disruptions in the flow of energy resources.

Oceanit and NETL have developed a friction-reducing agent called DragX, a treatment that bonds to the pipe to create a durable internal surface that provides flow assurance while preventing corrosion and debris adhesion.

DragX, a non-toxic and water-based product, can be applied to new pipes and in-use pipelines and is scalable to any pipe diameter. It does not require scraping pipe interior to bare metal before application. Instead, it utilizes nanocomposite technology that requires minimal surface preparation with a cure-time of less than two hours.

“This project has created a cost-effective product that has tremendous potential to help maintain our vast pipeline network. It also could prove extremely useful to mitigate leaks and other environmental issues that can occur due to damage caused by pipeline corrosion,” William Fincham, a project manager in NETL’s Technology Development and Integration Center, said.

Oceanit also performed DragX applications on several pipelines and the field test results have been positive.

“Within 24 months, Oceanit’s novel treatment system with the capability to drastically improve pipeline performance was rapidly adapted, optimized, and deployed on a low-risk, active system. Just 12 months after that, DragX was ready to be fully deployed on a critical asset with high-stakes risks such as potential downtime and reduced production,” Fincham said.