What Sets Allan Edwards Sleeves Apart? Extensive Validation Testing Through Joint Industry Program (JIP) Participation
Written by Allan Edwards
There are many repair sleeve manufacturers out there that claim their sleeves are effective. But do they have the data to back it? A Joint Industry Program (JIP) is an extremely effective way to collect valuable industry data while spreading costs between multiple parties.
The CFR 192 and 195 regulations are the only governing authority over the use of steel sleeves as a pipeline repair method. Interpretation of these codes varies regarding whether sleeves must be comprised only of pre-tested pipe or whether sleeves manufactured from rolled plate are an equally valid repair option. Because Allan Edwards sleeves are manufactured from rolled plate, they decided to undergo a rigorous testing program – never attempted by any other sleeve manufacturer – to demonstrate their sleeve effectiveness.
Why? The stakes are high in this industry, and Allan Edwards recognized the importance of reducing uncertainty for their customers though providing verifiable evidence of sleeve effectiveness.
Steel Sleeve JIP: Mr. Precht Goes to Washington
From 2017-2019, Allan Edwards, along with five pipeline operators, participated in a joint industry program to validate the use and performance of repair sleeves manufactured from rolled plate compared to those formed from pre-tested pipe. Before embarking on this study, our senior sales representative, Tommy Precht, along with Dr. Chris Alexander, P.E., of ADV Integrity, visited to the PHMSA offices in Washington, D.C. to gain their perspective on conducting such a study. As cited in our report, Study to Evaluate Steel Sleeve Effectiveness in Reinforcing Defects, “…the regulators were pleased to hear this study was being conducted. With the current regulatory environment being moved towards ‘performance, rather than prescriptive’ regulations, the full‐scale testing approach used in this study [was] encouraged by regulators.”
JIP Results:
Throughout the course of this full-scale testing program, “the study evaluated the reinforcement of both corrosion and plain dents that were pressure-cycled to failure.” A total of six samples were tested in this program, “which included two samples with unreinforced defects that served as baseline data points.” To ensure the repair sleeves were immediately load-bearing, a ½ inch hole was drilled into the pipe after the sleeve was installed to simulate a thru-wall leak. The sleeve was then plugged with a thread-o-let and allowed to cycle until failure. The test sample failed at a pressure of 2,578 psig (126% SMYS), exceeding the maximum allowable operating pressure of 1,469 psig (72% SMYS) for the 24‐inch OD x 0.375‐inch WT, Grade X65 pipe. The program successfully demonstrated that Type‐B repair sleeve manufactured and supplied by Allan Edwards can reinforce a leaking defect past the maximum allowable design pressure of the carrier pipe with a considerable safety margin.