The American Petroleum Institute (API) has officially released the first edition of its Recommended Practice 1192 (API RP 1192), focused on the safe transportation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) through pipelines. This guide provides clear performance criteria for the design, construction, and operation of pipelines intended for the movement of CO₂ in supercritical, liquid, and gaseous phases.
A technical response to a growing need
With the rise of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, the need for specific standards for CO₂ transportation has become a priority. API RP 1192 addresses this need by establishing technical guidelines that consider the particular physical properties of CO₂, which are very different from those of other liquids traditionally transported by pipeline.
The new recommended practice provides guidelines on ductile fracture control, pressure fluctuations, interaction with non-metallic materials, and internal corrosion prevention. These aspects are key to ensuring pipeline integrity and preventing incidents during continuous system operation.
Reuse of existing assets and contingency planning
One of the key contributions of the document is its focus on the safe reuse of already installed infrastructure, adapting it for CO₂ transport. It also provides specific criteria for the development of emergency response plans, taking into account the risks inherent to the physical-chemical characteristics of the gas.
To develop this standard, API brought together specialists from multiple disciplines with direct experience in pipeline engineering, industrial gas transportation, and safety regulations. The goal was to consolidate the accumulated knowledge on CO₂ transportation systems into a single technical framework, improving operational reliability and supporting the safe deployment of low-carbon energy infrastructure.
Boost to CO₂ infrastructure in the US.
With this new best practice, the API reinforces its role as a technical reference in the energy industry, providing operators and developers with a robust tool to manage the expected increase in CO₂ networks.
This publication comes at a key moment, when the expansion of CCS projects requires a clear regulatory basis to move forward safely and efficiently.
Source: API
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