Technical Publications

Why this mattersThere is no industry-wide standard guiding HDD coating selection. Operators who rely only on the ARO specification without evaluating installation risk are making a guess. This paper gives engineers a structured basis for that decision before the pipe goes in the ground.

Why this mattersAn inspector certified under CIP who has never worked a transmission pipeline project is missing foundational pipeline-specific knowledge. This paper documents the gap and fills it. It is a reference for both new inspectors getting up to speed and for operators reviewing inspector qualifications.

Why this mattersPHMSA's CFR language requires precautions to minimize coating damage during HDD but does not define what qualifies as a precaution or require evidence that the coating is intact after installation. PRCI's guidance fills some of that gap but permits substantial damage. Operators who don't understand both documents are making compliance assumptions they cannot defend.

Why this mattersCathodic protection cannot substitute for an intact coating in HDD sections — the geometry of the bore makes uniform CP application unreliable, and the section is inaccessible for repair. This article documents the problem in the primary NACE journal and cites the regulatory and research basis for acting before the pipe is in the ground.

Why this mattersPipe can enter a bore in perfect condition and exit with cuts, scrapes, gouges, and coating loss. Conventional practice either ignores this or compensates with extra cathodic protection — neither of which repairs the coating. This article defines the threat profile and the product characteristics required to address it before the pipe is in the ground.

Why this mattersPractitioner knowledge on the record, in the practitioner's own words. This interview covers the same technical subject as the Materials Performance article but in a format more accessible to field personnel and project managers evaluating HDD coating specifications.