Pipelaying involves installing and aligning pipes for transportation of materials above ground, below ground, and underwater. It requires skilled workers and specialized equipment. Pipes can be made of steel or iron and are chosen based on the substance they will carry. Underwater pipelaying is more difficult and requires diving techniques. Pipelines deteriorate over time and require regular maintenance to prevent failure and loss of materials.
Pipelaying is the process by which long runs of pipe are installed and aligned so they can be welded together. Pipelines can be installed above ground, below ground and under water. This process is typically performed by professional construction workers who are specifically trained in pipe laying.
Many industries use pipelines as a means of transporting various materials, such as oil, water, natural gas, and city sewage. Oil companies use large quantities of pipelines to transport crude oil from its original well source and into storage containers. These sections of pipe must withstand the rigors of the weather and significant amounts of pressure, as they are often miles deep underground or in the ocean.
Buried pipes are usually installed in square trenches. The width and depth of the trench will often depend on the size of the pipe. Pipes are chosen based on the substance they will carry and can be made from steel or iron.
Once the pipe is placed in the trench, it is often covered with some amount of backfill material. The trench can be filled to half the height of the pipe or the pipe can be covered entirely. Loose loam, sand, gravel and fine stone may comprise the filler mix used to cover the pipe.
Underwater pipelaying is generally much more difficult than aboveground pipelaying. This type of construction involves highly skilled contractors and specialized equipment. Underwater pipelines can be many miles below the surface of the water and must withstand water pressure, extreme temperature differences and decay resulting from interaction with marine plant life. Those who do the actual pipe laying are often trained in diving techniques and use plumbing equipment to complete the task.
The pipelines are carried out at sea on pipe-laying vessels specially designed for the purpose. These vessels are built to load and store large underwater pipes and the equipment needed to lower them to the ocean floor. Pipes are usually carefully inspected during the loading and shipping process to ensure no damage has occurred before they are installed.
Subsea pipelines deteriorate over time due to the extreme conditions in which they are found. They require regular repairs and replacements to ensure proper transportation of materials. When this type of pipeline is not serviced on a regular basis, it can lead to a complete failure of the piping system and a loss of the conveyed materials. An offshore oil spill is an example of a pipe failure in a subsea system.
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