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Skin Effect Heat Management System

Skin Effect Heat Management System (SEHMS) technology is a proven electrical heating solution used for long-distance piping and pipelines. SEHMS generates heat on the inner surface of a carbon steel heat tube welded to the carrier pipe.

Cairn Oil & gas

An electrically insulated, temperature-resistant conductor is installed within the tube and connected at the circuit end. The tube and conductor are powered by an AC voltage source in a series connection. This heating method is called skin-effect heating, as the circuit current is pulled to the inner surface (~1 mm) of the heat tube due to the skin effect and proximity effect between the heat tube and conductor.

To support crude oil transportation from Rajasthan to Gujarat, we constructed the Mangala Development Pipeline (MDP) – the world’s longest continuously heated and insulated pipeline (~705 km).

To address this challenge, we implemented a continuously heated and insulated pipeline, maintaining optimal temperature levels for uninterrupted flow. A dedicated SEHMS and power generation infrastructure ensure the crude remains mobile across the entire length of the pipeline.

  1. The pipeline originates at the Mangala Processing Terminal in Rajasthan and extends to the Gujarat coast at Bhogat via Salaya, passing through eight districts and over 250 villages.
  2. It includes four branch lines ranging from 2.5 km to 21 km, delivering crude along the route.
  3. Given the high viscosity and waxy nature of the crude, it is critical to maintain temperatures above the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) of 65°C throughout the pipeline.

Since its commissioning in June 2010, the MDP has played a vital role in crude transportation, setting new benchmarks for pipeline heating technology and operational excellence.