Timberline Repair Tool for Damaged PE Pipe NW

Timberline Repair Tool for Damaged PE Pipe NW Natural Timberline Product Demonstration September 18, 2009 Portland, OR

Agenda for Meeting 10: 00 – 10: 15 – 10: 45 – 11: 30 – 12: 15 – 13: 00 Meet & Greet Power. Point – History of Project Repair Tool Demonstration Power. Point – Repair Process Discussion/Feedback

Introductions Timberline Tool – Kalispell, MT Oregon State University – Corvallis, OR Ripple Marketing – Bozeman, MT Watlow Electric Manufacturing – St. Louis, MO Entek International – Lebanon, OR

Timberline Tool Ken Green, Chief Executive Officer Jeanine Green, Chief Financial Officer John Clark, Mechanical Engineer Ripple Marketing Kitch Walker, Marketing Consultant Kurt Palmer, Marketing Consultant

Oregon State University Dr. Skip Rochefort, Ph. D, Associate Professor Dr. Nick Wannenmacher, Ph. D Kevin Harris

Suppliers Watlow Electric Manufacturing Mark Tettambel (Kansas City Sales Office) Seth Stewart (Product Engineer) Bob Cameron (West Coast Office) Entek Dr. International Rick Pekala (VP of Research & Development) Robert Waterhouse (……)

History of Innovation Timberline developed a revolutionary fire hose shut-off tool for wildland firefighters In 1989, Timberline incorporated to manufacture the firefighter’s clamp

Montana Power Company needs improved squeeze tools In 1991, Montana Power Company engineers suggested modifications to the firefighter clamp design to squeeze-off their PE gas service lines. In 1992, the new squeeze-off tool, Topside clamp, was introduced to the natural gas industry to improve their squeeze-off operations Vertical, top-down approach to the pipe rather than horizontal squeeze bars

Topside Tools Provides safe, reliable, quick operation without under-thepipe excavation TC 1 -S for ½” – 1” PE pipe TC 1 -S for ½” – 2” PE pipe

Natural Gas Industry needs improved keyhole tools In 1997, the natural gas industry turned to keyhole technology to maintain & repair their pipelines Timberline Top. Reach Tools fit the need for keyhole application

Top. Reach Tools Top-down approach to the pipe Does not require excavation under the pipe TR 150 for ½” – 1” PE pipe TR 250 for ½” – 2” PE pipe

DOE requests improved tools for natural gas industry In 2002, DOE requested keyhole tools for the natural gas industry to maintain & repair large diameter PE pipe “Top Down” approach critical

Top. Reach Tools Timberline partnered with DOE to develop keyhole squeeze tools TR 650 for 3”, 4”, 6” TR 270 for ½” – 2” TR 170 for ½” – 1”

DOE mandates delivery reliability of natural gas Natural gas industry needs improved tools that will ensure the safe reliable delivery of nations gas supply. DOE solicitation for: External method to repair natural gas pipelines Keyhole applications

Repair Tool Background In 2003, Ken Green, Timberline Tool & Dr. Rochefort, OSU submitted a proposal to DOE/NETL to develop a new repair process for the external repair of PE pipe DO/NETL Cooperative Agreement for R&D of new external repair method

NW Natural’s Involvement Critical Partner for Repair Tool Project In-kind Support Materials – Pipe for testing Field evaluations and demonstrations OTD Funding

Research Team Timberline Ken Tool Green, Chief Executive Officer Jeanine Green, Chief Financial Officer John Clark, Mechanical Engineer Ripple Marketing Kitch Walker, Marketing Consultant Kurt Palmer, Marketing Consultant

Oregon State University Chem. E Research Team Principal Investigator Dr. Skip Rochefort, Ph. D, Associate Professor Research Director Dr. Nick Wannenmacher, Ph. D Research Associate Lyuba Kabalnova, Ph. D

Oregon State University Chem. E Research Team Masters Degrees Granted on Project Kevin Harris, M. S. Ch. E 2007 Cheryl Carbone, M. S. Materials Science 2004 John Hunt, M. S. Ch. E 2003

Oregon State University Chem. E Research Team 8 Undergraduate Research Students 6 Ch. E/Env. E senior projects 19 HS students involved in summer research over 5 years

Integral Suppliers Watlow Electric Manufacturing - Provides controllers and heating element for patch Mark Tettambel (Kansas City Sales Office) Seth Stewart (Product Engineer) Bob Cameron (West Coast Office) Entek International – Provides the PE foam Dr. Rick Pekala (VP of Research & Development) Robert Waterhouse

Technology Assessment No method is currently available for external permanent repair of PE pipe. Current repair methods require costly excavation, isolation and removal of damaged pipe section Damaged section is replaced by fusing new section in place Service is interrupted

R&D for New Repair Method Cost Shared Project: 6 Year Project - $1. 5 million Cooperative agreement between Timberline Tool, US Department of Energy (National Energy Technology Laboratory) and Operations Technology Development Research Team Oregon State University, Chemical Engineering – Polymer Lab Timberline Tool – Mechanical engineering Field Testing Partners: NW Natural SW Gas Enbridge Sempra Nicor

Results of R&D Efforts Developed a unique mechanical tool that applies a thermo-chemical patch Fully encapsulates pipe at site of damage Accomplished without interrupting gas flow Implemented under a variety of environmental conditions Using current field technicians trained in process

Repair Tool Benefits Remote operation keeps the operator safely out of the trench Keyhole application minimizes impact to environment and neighborhood Time and labor savings due to reduced excavation and ease of application are significant Maintenance and repair costs significantly lowered – estimated average savings of $2, 250 per repair

Repair Tool Features Aluminum construction for high strength, light weight Portable - requires only one person to operate Mechanical operation for ease of use. Curved jaw completely encapsulates the pipe & immediately stops the flow of gas Applies a thermo-chemical patch One tool for many diameters (2”, 3”, 4”, 6”) Process performed safely above the hole

Repair Tool Demonstration

Repair Tool Components Ratchet handle Handle extensions Main assembly Jaws with inserts for 2”, 3”, 4” & 6” PE pipe PE composite patch with internal heater Tool Dimensions Length: 6. 5 ft (2. 0 m) Width: 11. 0 in (28. 25 cm) Weight: 53. 0 lbs (24. 00 kg)

PE Patch Components Revolutionary Composite Patch: 1. HDPE patch back 2. HDPE/UHMWPE Foam 3. HDPE mesh w/ internal heating element 4. HDPE/UHMWPE Foam 5. HDPE (packaging) HDPE Patch Back HDPE/UHMWPE Foam HDPE w/ Stitched Heater HDPE/UHMWPE Foam HDPE Sheet

Thermo-Chemical Fusion Bond Inoculating the PE foam layers with solvent Micrograph image shows that the bond between the pipe and patch is nearly seamless

Repair Process Step 1. Patch Insertion Step 2. Encapsulation

Repair Process Step 4. Completed Repair Step 3. Fusion Bonding

Testing on PE Pipe Quick burst, sustained pressure and accelerated age (long term) tests performed per: ASTM D 1598 ASTM D 1599 Results: Quick Burst – Passed Sustained Pressure – 200 psi > 5 months (test completed) Long Term – Passes 50 year mark & shows bond strengthens with age Quick burst test at 600 psi

Benefits of Repair Process Increases operator safety – out of trench, away from hazardous situation Reduces operating costs Time & Labor Materials Excavation

New Repair Solution Solves emergency repair problems due to third party damage, etc. Solves problems with the aging PE pipe system Leaking joints Pinhole leaks Gouges & scrapes Slow crack growth

Repair Tool Highlights Reduced risk & improved safety No loss of service to customer Less repair time Repairs pipe under pressure Smaller excavation Keyhole application Substantial cost savings

Cost Savings Average savings per incident = $2, 250 depending on the complexity There an estimated 150, 000 incidents/year Savings to the natural gas industry expected to be > $300 M annually

Discussion Repair Tool Keyhole Tools Tracer Wire Tool Other Tooling Needs

Ken H. Green Timberline Tool PO Box 1328 Whitefish, MT 59937 khg@timberlinetool. com 800. 735. 6845