Hempel Paints (Saudi Arabia) has launched a new pipecoating speciality product as part of continuous efforts to provide customers with the latest technology for oil and gas transmission pipeline rehabilitation and maintenance.

''The Hempadur HT 87540 high temperature-resistant solvent-free coating system has been specifically developed for new construction, rehabilitation and maintenance work, for the long-term protection of buried steel pipelines in severe corrosive environments with operating temperatures of up to 150 deg C,'' says a spokesman for the Dammam-based firm.

''The system is applied by Hydra-Cat (plural component) units in a single-coat application to achieve the recommended dry film thickness of 500 to 1,000 microns, depending on service conditions. Its excellent spraying properties gives a uniform smooth finish, and the additional rapid-curing characteristics ensure sufficient cure and hardness is obtained in 30 to 45 minutes thus enabling back-fill or pipe stacking to commence quickly.''

The system is approved by a major oil company in Saudi Arabia for the external protection of Khuff gas pipelines with operating temperatures of up to 120 deg C, and has been used for the external protection of stainless steel flare lines on several Khuff gas projects, he says.

He continues: ''The proven track record for the Hempadur 85530 system, spanning over a 12-year period throughout Saudi Arabia, provides clients with confidence in specifying the system and sets the performance standard required for external pipeline protection in this very aggressive environment.

''The principal characteristics of the product, which is approved by several major oil companies in the Middle East are, low permeability, excellent corrosion, abrasion and impact resistance, easy to repair, good resistance to cathodic disbondment, suitability for immersed areas (subkha - saline water).

''However, the performance of any pipecoating is particularly influenced by the standard of application and workmanship in these arduous climatic conditions. It is critical for the contractor working in this climate to have a 'user-friendly' coating material that is tolerant to the desert environment, and does not require sophisticated and complicated application equipment.

''The Hempadur 85530 rehabilitation coating meets this criterion with its main features: self-priming high-build coating, single-coat application to the required dry film thickness (DFT 500 - 625), application by standard airless spray equipment, a working potlife of 1 hour at 40 deg C, and can be applied to in-service pipelines with operating temperatures of up to 90 deg C.

'''On completion of application of the system, quality control inspection, DFTs/porosity testing and eventual back-filling operations can commence within eight hours at 40 dec C, thus enabling high productivity to be maintained.

''Furthermore, Hempel Paints provides its clients with technical services in the field by qualified Frosio and Nace-certified coating advisors, and further technical support is provided by our numerous training courses for quality control procedures.''