Mar 01, 2008

ASTM International Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems has developed a new standard that covers use of polyethylene pipe for gas gathering purposes. F 2619/F 2619M, Specification for High-Density Polyethylene (PE) Line Pipe, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F17.60 on Gas.

“Polyethylene pipe does not rust, rot or corrode, does not require cathodic protection and for many hazardous liquid applications can provide a cost-effective solution,” says Bill Adams, senior engineer, WL Plastics Corporation, and a member of Committee F17. “But for use in federal regulations, a consensus standard is required. Hence the need for F 2619.”

Gas gathering (getting gas from wells to production facilities) is a different application from gas distribution (getting gas to homes and businesses). While polyethylene pipes are commonly used for gas gathering in the United States, there are areas in which population density requires adherence to Federal Regulation CFR 49 Part 192, which states that polyethylene pipe must comply with ASTM D 2513, Specification for Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing and Fittings. However, D 2513 is a standard that covers pipe for gas distribution, not gathering.

Adams says Subcommittee F17.60 is hopeful that the U.S. Department of Transportation will incorporate F 2619 in U.S. codes for the transport of hazardous liquids and gases. “The incorporation of F 2619 into federal codes will provide a non-corroding alternative for operators of hazardous liquid pipelines and provide operators of regulated gas gathering systems with polyethylene pipes that are specifically for gas gathering systems,” says Adams.

All interested parties, especially piping system operators, are welcome to join in the standards developing activities of Subcommittee F17.60. ASTM International standards can be purchased from Customer Service (phone: 610/832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org.

For further technical information, contact Bill Adams, WL Plastics, Cedar City, Utah (phone: 435/867-8908; badams@wlplastics.com). Committee F17 meets April 7-10 at the April committee week in Anaheim, Calif. For membership or meeting information, contact Robert Morgan, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9732; rmorgan@astm.org).

Release #7922