Our skilled engineers help to support Alberta and Alberta Industry's mission to capture, transport, utilize and store millions of tons of CO per annum, through design development and supporting the construction and implementation of CO capture and transportation infrastructure.

Our Project Experience

CO₂ Project Highlights

  • 38 km of 1500# NPS 10 & 12 pipeline transporting dense-phase CO.

  • MOC design and construction support for the installation of new pigging infrastructure, lateral pipeline tie-in, and process control valve installation for a 240km CO pipeline.

  • Riser site and facility design with consideration and provision for pigging utilities, site expansions in equipment and instrumentation, future pipeline tie-ins, and the addition of pumping/ compression facilities.

  • Compositional analysis, custody transfer metering, flow and pressure control, third-party interfacing and facility tie-in, and commissioning and maintenence support.

CO₂ System Design

  • Onshore gas processing facility design to capture, compress, and dehydrate 2.3 MTPA of CO.

  • CO system expansion study inclusive of 20 km pipeline, metering, and compositional analyzers.

  • Conceptual study of 0.4 MTPA carbon capture facility.

  • 65 km NPS 12 CO pipeline designed to 1500# pressure class.

CO₂ Modelling & Analysis

  • Conducted an extensive acaedmic review of dense-phase CO flow through steel pipelines to determine max allowable flowing velocities without erosional or thermodynamic implications.

  • Thermohydraulic modelling for steady state, state flow, transient events, and operational upsets. Process simulations to forecast CO behaviour and support operational procedure development with consideration of phase control and the prevention of product sublimation or ice formation during rapid depressurization.

Our Recent CO₂ Projects

It’s our experience in providing detailed design and construction support for CO projects that sets us apart. With projects managed by our Subject-Matter-Experts (SMEs), our hands-on experience and dedicated and highly capable teams bring knowledge and proficiency to every project we undertake.

GREENFIELD DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF A DENSE-PHASE CO PIPELINE

Provided full-scope engineering design, procurement, and construction support, inclusive of on-site field engineering, for 38km of NPS 10 and 12 pipeline designed to 1500# pressure class. Project included up and down stream pigging infrastructure, as well as mid-point isolation and pig trap riser sites, and third-party tie-ins.

EXISTING DENSE-PHASE CO₂ PIPELINE MOC PROGRAM

Expansion and modification of existing riser sites to accommodate the installation of newly designed pigging infrastructure, and the tie-in of newly constructed pipeline laterals.

Hydraulic analysis of existing systems, as well as piping and metering modification, and control valve selection and specification for installation at existing third-party tie-ins.

Obsidian Engineering is an active participant of the CSA Z662 CO₂ Task Force, and are at the forefront of technical developments and code requirements for CO₂ pipeline design.

Our Technical Considerations for CO₂ Applications

  • Materials & Equipment Selection

    Obsidian's mechanical engineers are well-versed in the specification and selection of materials and equipment required for CO₂ service such as:

    • Metering for dense phase product

    • Line pipe with increased toughness

    • Analyzers and limitations of measurement

    • Compressors capable of high ratio compression

    • Valves without materials subject to CO₂ absorption

    Our team has developed high pressure piping specifications for clients with consideration of code compliance, material availability, integrity, and constructability.

  • Fluid Dynamics & Product Management

    Our process team is equipped to perform blowdown simulations and thermohydraulic analysis to ensure full understanding of CO₂ stream behavior, and the effect of product stream contaminants on pipeline materials, flow and throughput, integrity, and operation.