CO₂ Transport Solutions
As CCUS projects scale worldwide, reliable transportation infrastructure is essential to connect industrial emissions sources with permanent storage sites. Vallourec helps project developers address challenges through high-performance seamless line pipe solutions to ensure safe CO2 transport.
Enabling the safe and efficient transportation of CO₂ from source to storage
As CCUS projects scale worldwide, reliable transportation infrastructure is essential to connect industrial emissions sources with permanent storage sites. Dense-phase pipeline transportation is the most efficient way to move large volumes of CO₂ over long distances, but it also introduces specific technical challenges related to corrosion, impurities and fracture control. Vallourec helps project developers address these challenges through high-performance seamless line pipe solutions and advanced engineering expertise.
Why CO₂ Transportation Is Challenging
Transporting CO₂ is fundamentally different from transporting conventional hydrocarbons. To maximize efficiency, CO₂ is typically transported in dense phase at high pressure, creating unique constraints on materials, pipeline design and long-term integrity. Successful CO₂ transportation infrastructure must address the combined effects of three key challenges:
Managing impurities
The composition of captured CO₂ varies depending on the emission source and capture technology. Industrial CO₂ streams may contain impurities such as H₂S, SOx, NOx, oxygen, glycols or amines that can alter fluid behavior, impact material performance and increase infrastructure risks. As CCS hubs connect multiple emitters, managing these varying CO₂ specifications becomes increasingly important.
Operating at Low Temperatures
During rapid depressurization events, dense-phase CO₂ can experience significant temperature drops, potentially reaching extremely low temperatures. These conditions can affect material toughness and increase the risk of brittle or running ductile fracture if the pipeline has not been designed with adequate fracture resistance.
Preventing Corrosion
The cross reaction between impurities leading to precipitation of liquid (acid droplet, free water) or solid remains one of the main threats to pipeline integrity or flow assurance. When water combines with certain impurities, corrosive species may form, leading to corrosion, localized attack and accelerated material degradation. Understanding the interaction between water, impurities and operating conditions is therefore critical to ensuring safe and reliable CO₂ transportation.
Our CO₂ Transport Solutions
CO₂ transportation infrastructure must safely operate in environments where impurities, low-temperature events and corrosion risks can compromise long-term integrity. Vallourec combines seamless pipe technology, advanced material expertise and corrosion management solutions to help operators build safe and reliable CO₂ transportation networks.
Engineering Expertise from FEED to Execution
The risks associated with impurities, water and low-temperature operation should be evaluated from the earliest stages of project development. Vallourec supports customers with technical assessments, in-situ condition simulations, material recommendations and project-specific testing, helping de-risk transportation infrastructure before installation begins.
Advanced Seamless Line Pipe Solutions
Vallourec’s seamless pipes feature a homogeneous microstructure and isotropic mechanical properties, delivering excellent toughness and enhanced resistance to fracture initiation and propagation. Designed for demanding onshore and offshore applications, they provide an additional level of confidence for critical CCS infrastructure.
- Seamless line pipe from 2.375″ to 18″
- For onshore and offshore applications
- Carbon steel and sour-service grades from X42 to X80
- External coating solutions including corrosion resistant coatings
- Tight pipe-end tolerances (best-fit)
- Fast-track project execution with digital solutions
Digital Services for Efficient Project Delivery
Advancing CCUS Through Research and Industry Collaboration
CCUS presents new challenges for materials, pipelines and well infrastructure, many of which are not yet fully addressed by existing industry standards. Vallourec plays an active role in advancing the understanding of CO₂ transport and storage through research, industry collaboration and technology development.
Our experts participate in multiple Joint Industry Projects (JIPs), contribute to industry standards and regularly publish technical papers covering topics on CO₂ transport via pipelines, CO₂ injection and connection technology for CO₂ environments.
