Bahrain-based pipeline services provider Raymond International supports local and GCC markets from its premises in Adliya and Sitra.

Other extensive facilities and offices cater for the rest of the Middle East, North Africa and South East Asia.

The specialist services include Lining, Coating, Inspection, Rehabilitation, Cleaning and Automatic Welding for the oil, gas and water industries.

Linings

Cement Mortar, Rubber, Epoxy and PE

Internal lining is applied to avoid corrosion, especially against internal rusting.

The most commonly used internal lining is cement mortar which has now been successfully used and developed for more than 100 years. Recently Raymond has developed a microsilica modified cement which is now considered the best lining in the industry.

Most water pipelines have cement mortar lining which is the only lining to eliminate corrosion by means of both chemical and physical barriers.

Other linings such as rubber and epoxies are used to combat more aggressive and acidic liquids.

Pipelines, vessels and tunnels have been lined all over the world with diameters ranging from 50mm to more than 4,000mm.

Coatings

Concrete Weight Coating, epoxy & polyethylene

Another important component of the pipeline is it's external coating.

The coating is not only used to prevent corrosion to the pipeline but also to avoid mechanical damage which may occur after installation.

Raymond has applied external coatings to many prestigious projects recently - notably the submarine pipeline supplying gas to the Hidd Power Station in Bahrain, and a 100km buried water transmission pipelines project in Saudi Arabia.

Inspection

CCTV and Condition Surveys

An essential part of pipeline life is maintaining a record of the pipe's condition through the years.

Raymond International undertakes internal inspections and reports on pipelines of 50mm diameter and up to any size.

Pipeline condition surveys are provided to refineries, petrochemical plants, submarine pipelines, sewerage networks and any other pipeline systems.

The equipment is explosion-proof, and is therefore ideal for use is hazardous situations such as gas lines.

Rehabilitation and cleaning

Old or damaged pipelines can be improved to a high standard which makes them as good or even better than new.

Lining can be undertaken with cement, polyethylene, epoxy or other synthetic materials which are inserted into the pipeline over long distances - therefore creating a ''pipe within a pipe'' effect, without digging.

The strength of the existing pipe along with the smoothing effect of the new liner produces an excellent solution instead of replacing the pipeline.

Raymond has even rehabilitated submarine pipelines in various locations around the world.

Automatic Welding

All pipelines, process piping, vessels and boiler tubes

Raymond International introduced Automatic Welding (Rayweld System) to Bahrain in 1998.

The automatic welding system produces fast, economical and defect-free welds - therefore reducing the final installed cost of the pipeline.

Pipelines from 50mm to 4,000mm in diameter can be installed with the Rayweld system, although there is no size limitation.

Boiler tubes, process piping and transmission lines in any type of steel or composite material can be automatically welded.

The Rayweld System is now being used successfully on various Saudi Aramco projects.

Projects

Bahrain: Bapco upgrades (pipeline supply and lining)

Raymond recently supplied the 1,800mm diameter steel cooling water pipes as part of Bapco's upgrade and replacement projects. The pipes are the largest ever supplied to Bapco. The new cooling water system is due for commission this year.

UAE: Fujairah - Al Ain Water Transmission (Cement Mortar Lining)

The company is currently undertaking the single largest pipe lining project in the Middle East. Cement lining is applied internally to 370 km of 64" diameter steel pipelines to prevent corrosion. Then the pipelines are used to supply potable water from a new desalination plant in Fujairah to Al Ain in Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Aramco Gas Transmission Lines (Automatic Welding)

Raymond is now undertaking a series of installation projects for Saudi Aramco. A typical example is 150km of pipelines from Waqr and Tinet to Haradh Gas Plant, ranging in diameter from 500 to 750mm.

The system was chosen to improve quality and speed, therefore reducing project duration and installation costs.