A Look Back at Innovation (and Cigarettes) on the Pipeline Right-of-Way

 

Let’s start with the real question—because you know it crossed your mind too: back in the 1970s, how many packs of cigarettes did a pipeline crew go through in a single day? A carton? More? Honestly… I’d believe it.

Different time, different jobsite culture. And while a lot has changed since then, one thing hasn’t: the constant push to solve problems in the field.

We’re still in Bakersfield, California, in the early days of wrap-around shrink sleeve technology. At this point, the industry was transitioning from tubular sleeves—an important innovation, but one that came with limitations.

This particular project introduces a new challenge: an insulated pipeline.

The original tubular sleeves developed by Raychem were designed to slide over the pipe before welding. That works well—until insulation enters the picture.

With an insulated line, a tubular sleeve would have needed to:

• Be large enough to fit over the insulation during installation
• Still be capable of shrinking tightly down onto the steel pipe

That’s a big ask.

This is where the wrap-around shrink sleeve starts to shine.

Instead of sliding over the pipe, it wraps around the joint after welding—making it far more adaptable, especially in cases like insulated lines or field repairs.

It’s another example of Raychem doing what they did best:

• Thinking ahead
• Solving problems before they became widespread
• Constantly innovating for new applications 

It’s a mindset you still see today from companies like Henkel—always working multiple angles and anticipating what the market will need next.

Now, if you take a closer look at this particular installation… it’s not winning any awards.

There are visible wrinkles in the closure strip—something that would raise eyebrows today. But context matters:

• The technology was brand new
• Installers were still learning the process
• Best practices were being developed in real time

So if you happen to be the installer from 1976 reading this—no disrespect. You were laying the groundwork the rest of the industry would build on.

Raychem / Covalence / Seal for Life WPC100M

 

WPC100M: A Proven Field Joint Coating with Decades of Reliability

For more than 30 years, WPC100M has been a trusted field joint coating—particularly in offshore applications. Its long-standing track record speaks for itself, making it a familiar and reliable solution for contractors and operators around the world.

One of the key advantages of WPC100M is its butyl mastic sealant, which makes the system extremely forgiving when it comes to surface preparation. Unlike many onshore coating systems, WPC100M does not require an anchor pattern to perform effectively. While it is widely recognized for offshore use, it’s worth noting that WPC100M is also commonly and successfully used in onshore applications.

From a performance standpoint, WPC100M offers impressive temperature capabilities. It is rated for service temperatures up to 212°F when applied over insulated or concrete-coated pipelines, and up to 176°F when in direct contact with soil or the ocean floor. These properties also allow WPC100M to function effectively as a jacket continuation, adding to its versatility in the field.

WPC100M is available in 11", 17", 24", and 34" widths, with custom sizes also available. This flexibility allows it to accommodate a wide range of pipe diameters and project requirements. Combined with a **rapid installation time—often just a few minutes per joint depending on pipe size—**WPC100M helps keep projects moving efficiently without sacrificing performance.

Compatibility is another strong point. WPC100M works seamlessly with nearly all commonly used factory-applied coatings, including polypropylene, making it easy to integrate into existing pipeline coating systems.

With decades of proven performance, fast installation, and broad compatibility, WPC100M remains an excellent choice for a wide range of field joint coating applications—both offshore and onshore.

Covalence Shrink Sleeves

 Covalence Heat Shrink Sleeves for Field Joints

In the oil and gas industry, protecting pipelines from corrosion is critical to long-term performance and safety. One of the most vulnerable points on a pipeline is the field joint—the exposed area created when two factory-coated pipe segments are welded together during construction. This uncoated zone must be properly protected in the field using a coating that restores corrosion resistance, bonds reliably to the adjacent factory-applied coatings, and withstands environmental and mechanical stresses. One of the most trusted solutions for this purpose is Covalence™ heat shrink sleeves, formerly known as Raychem.

Covalence heat shrink sleeves have been used worldwide for decades to protect field joints on pipelines coated with Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE), 3-Layer Polyethylene (3LPE), 3-Layer Polypropylene (3LPP), and other common coating systems. These sleeves consist of a cross-linked polyolefin backing combined with a high-performance adhesive layer. When heated, the sleeve shrinks tightly around the joint, and the adhesive melts, forming a durable, moisture-resistant seal that prevents corrosion.

The benefits of Covalence sleeves are numerous. They offer excellent adhesion to bare steel as well as to factory coatings, ensuring a continuous protective barrier across the field joint. Installation is efficient and consistent; technicians wrap the sleeve around the pipe, apply heat using a torch or induction equipment, and the sleeve conforms tightly to the surface. This quick and repeatable process minimizes downtime on the job site and supports project efficiency.

Covalence sleeves are also designed to withstand the tough conditions pipelines often face. Once installed, they resist impact, abrasion, and soil stress, making them suitable for use in demanding scenarios such as directional drilling, rocky terrain, or road crossings. The company offers a range of sleeve products to meet various pipeline conditions and requirements. For example, DIRAX sleeves are specifically designed for horizontal directional drilling, WPCT sleeves are used for moderate-temperature buried pipelines, WPC100M is suited for standard field joint applications, and TPS sleeves are sold as tubular or slip on shrink sleeves.

Another important advantage of Covalence products is their compatibility with global industry standards. These sleeves are designed to meet or exceed specifications from organizations such as ISO, CSA, and AWWA, and are approved by many of the world’s leading oil and gas pipeline operators. Their performance has been validated in countless projects across a wide range of environmental conditions—from arctic climates in Alaska and Russia to high-temperature installations in the Middle East.

The application process for Covalence heat shrink sleeves involves several key steps. First, the weld area must be cleaned to the specified standard, usually near-white metal blast. Then, the surface is preheated to activate the adhesive and ensure proper bonding. The sleeve is positioned around the joint with overlap onto the adjacent coating, and heat is applied to shrink the sleeve and flow the adhesive. After installation, the sleeve conforms tightly to the pipe surface and forms a reliable seal. A visual inspection and optional holiday testing confirm the success of the installation.

In summary, Covalence heat shrink sleeves offer a field-proven, reliable, and efficient solution for protecting field joints on oil and gas pipelines. Their strong adhesion, mechanical resilience, ease of installation, and global track record make them a preferred choice among pipeline engineers and contractors. As oil and gas infrastructure continues to expand and age, using proven technologies like Covalence ensures pipelines remain protected and operational for decades to come.

 Covalence Shrink Sleeves (formerly Raychem)

Seal For Life’s Covalence brand offers a comprehensive range of heat shrinkable products designed for corrosion prevention, mechanical protection, and sealing of pipelines, including field joints and pre-insulated pipe systems. Below is an overview of their main product offerings and applications:

• Covalence provides both 2-layer and 3-layer heat-shrinkable sleeves.

• These sleeves feature irradiation cross-linked polyethylene or polypropylene backings, combined with adhesive layers (either visco-elastic mastic or co-polymer hot melt) tailored for different pipeline operating temperatures and environments.

• The 3-layer systems often include an epoxy primer for enhanced adhesion and are compatible with modern multi-layer mainline coatings, creating a monolithic protection system.

• : A two-layer field-joint coating system designed for corrosion protection of pipelines operating at ambient temperatures. It is among the most widely used solutions for girth weld protection.

• : High-performance, three-layer sleeves with epoxy primer, designed for pipelines with higher operating temperatures and demanding environments. These sleeves offer excellent resistance to cathodic disbondment, hot water immersion, and soil/thermal movement stresses - HTLP60 & HTLP80

• : Specifically engineered for directional drilling and applications requiring extra mechanical strength - DIRAX & CCS Material used to make Caseals and Flangeseals.

• : Designed to provide durable sealing solutions for pre-insulated pipe joints, protecting against moisture ingress and maintaining thermal integrity.

• : Includes joint casings, foaming hole closures, primary joint foam seals, end caps, and sealants to support a wide range of pipeline configurations and field conditions.

• High electrical resistance and low permeability for optimal corrosion prevention.

• Designed for easy installation with minimal tools and surface preparation.

• Approved by major testing agencies worldwide, ensuring suitability for diverse field conditions and compliance with global standards such as ISO, EN, AWWA, NACE, and GOST.

• Proven performance record in major pipeline projects globally, including oil, gas, and water transmission lines.

Product Type	Layers	Key Application	Notable Features
WPCT	2	Field joint corrosion protection	Ambient temperature pipelines
HTLP Series	3	High-temp, high-stress environments	Epoxy primer, soil/thermal resistance
Fiberglass-Reinforced Sleeves	2–3	Directional drilling, mechanical stress	Extra strength, abrasion resistance
Pre-Insulated Pipe Sleeves	2–3	Pre-insulated pipe joints	Moisture and thermal protection

Covalence’s heat shrinkable products are trusted globally for their reliability, versatility, and ease of installation, making them a leading choice for pipeline protection and sealing needs.