kwik-ZIP spacers have been utilised on Canada’s 1150km long Trans Mountain Pipeline Project.
Most North Americans are familiar with the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project, but perhaps in Australia it is less known.
The 1150km crude oil and refined petroleum pipeline was first laid in 1953, connecting land-locked Alberta to the coastline of British Columbia. Then in 2013, the Canadian National Energy Board proposed a project to twin the pipeline, a move which would increase capacity from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels per day.
Referred to as the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project and almost 12 years in the making, the duplicated pipeline began commissioning in May 2024, enabling marine exports of crude oil and petroleum products around the world. Suffice to say that the pipeline project was significant.
Projects of this scope often face challenges in proportion to their size, and the Trans Mountain pipeline was no exception.
Terrain was one of these challenges.
A contractor working on a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) section of the pipeline needed to protect two HDD pull-back casing sections at the entry and exit points of each run.
However, the 15° slope upon which the entry and exit point of the pipe was located, as well as the extreme weight of the steel pipe, posed logistical challenges which the contractor had been unable to solve.
That’s where kwik-ZIP came in.
“Due to the angle of the slope, the contractor was concerned about potential damage to the casing and engaged kwik-ZIP to provide a specific solution to the scenario they were dealing with,” kwik-ZIP Managing Director Jason Linaker said.
The solution was to use multiple instances of kwik-ZIP’s HDXT-58W spacers installed at each end section of the 30-inch pipe.
kwik-ZIP’s HDXT series spacers have no metal parts and are made from the company’s engineered thermoplastic blend with high flexural strength, high temperature resistance, low co-efficient of friction, abrasion resistance and outstanding chemical resistance.
The design of these spacers allows heavy loads to be shared across multiple runners, reducing point loading and increasing the overall load capacity of the spacer. Integrated rubber grip pads under collars also helps to prevent slippage.
However, due to the significant weight of the pipeline, kwik-ZIP installed its HDXT load inserts alongside the spacers for an extra layer of protection. When used in conjunction with HDXT spacers, these inserts can increase load capacity up to 1000kg per runner.
“HDXT load inserts are designed to be used with the kwik-ZIP HDXT casing spacers to provide additional load capacity for very heavy applications or where high point loadings on one runner are experienced,” Linaker said.
Luckily, high quality does not necessarily mean complex. Installation of kwik-ZIP spacers is simple and efficient, without the requirement of any special tools or setup equipment, nor is there any requirement to pre-wrap pipe.
Even so, kwik-ZIP went the extra mile for the contractor.
“Although kwik-ZIP products have comprehensive instructions that are added to every box supplied, due to the contractor’s specific challenges, a project specific set were compiled and sent to ensure a trouble-free installation and utilisation.
“The kwik-ZIP team pride themselves on their ability to provide customised solutions to customers as required, with a focus on ensuring a successful outcome for the project,” Linaker said.
“With the help of our products, the contractor completing the installation of this particular section of the pipeline was able to overcome their challenges and complete the section without any issues.”
With its large range of spacers, kwik-ZIP can cater to a broad range of carrier and casing pipe size combinations, as well as providing flexibility to deal with project alterations.
At home, kwik-ZIP’s HDXT, HDX and HD series of spacers have been formally certified as compliant with the Water Services Association of Australia’s product specification for casing spacers (WSA PS-324), making them a staple in many Australian pipeline projects.
With its role in helping to deliver the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project, it seems recognition of kwik-ZIP’s high-quality products and thorough approach to service extends well beyond Australia.
For more information, visit the kwik-ZIP website.
This feature also appears in the September edition of The Australian Pipeliner.