A novel retrofit solution for existing pipelines

Enbridge invests $6.6M in Smartpipe technology that enables hydrogen, CO2 transportation

Enbridge continues to take action as a leader in the energy transition.

We announced our latest undertaking today—a US$6.6-million investment in Smartpipe Technologies Inc. Based in Houston, Smartpipe has developed a high-strength, composite liner that can be pulled through existing pipelines.

There are a number of potential benefits from Smartpipe’s novel retrofit, including its ability to facilitate transportation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO₂), thus enabling the use of existing infrastructure in the energy transition.

Using Smartpipe’s internal replacement sleeve could also result in less environmental disruptions for communities or environmentally sensitive areas, and create less emissions from construction—with a 70% reduction in emissions compared to traditional construction methods.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Smartpipe was awarded Best Pipeline Integrity Technology at the 2023 Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards for a fall 2023 project with Enbridge in Roanoke County, VA that saw its trenchless high-pressure reinforced thermoplastic pipeline produced onsite and pulled into a length of our East Tennessee Natural Gas System pipe with minimal disturbance to the current land use as an operating farm and adjacent residential community, eliminating the need for entire right-of-way excavation,)

“Enbridge is always interested in pursuing opportunities that have the potential to enhance our position as a leader in safe and sustainable energy transportation,” says Caitlin Tessin, Enbridge’s Vice President of Strategy and Market Innovation. “We are working diligently to bridge to a cleaner energy future, and this technology improves the safety of existing pipelines and supports the transportation of low-carbon energy sources like hydrogen.”

The immediate use by Enbridge will likely be in urban areas, where excavation or pipeline maintenance would be disruptive and time consuming. In these instances, a fiber-optic line embedded in the Smartpipe allows for continuous monitoring of the existing pipeline.

“Enbridge has been a solid partner in the development of this technology,” says Gary Littlestar, the CEO of Smartpipe Technologies. “Public safety and environmental security have been our foundation from inception, and these core values align perfectly with our partner, Enbridge.”