polymers for the oil and gas industry

ISO 9001:2008 Certified

Customized SolutionsFast, Easy Installation

Superior Operating Life

Brady Walther

High Performance

Polymers for Oil and Gas

April 12, 2013, Houston TX

THE USE OF ENGINEERED POLYMERS FOR THE

TRANSPORT OF HYDROCARBONS WITH HIGH

LEVELS OF CO2, H2S AND BRINE TO ELIMINATE

CORROSION EXPERIENCED WITH STEEL PIPE LINES

IN THE OILFIELD

ISO 9001:2008 Certified


Superior Operating Life

AGENDA

Key Design Considerations for Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes

Liners

Reinforcement

Outer Sheath/Jacket

Case Studies

2


Superior Operating LifeISO 9001:2008 Certified

History and Future of RTP Pipes

Available for 15 Years

Historical Focus

– Brine Flow Lines

– Natural Gas Lines

Rapid Low Cost Installation was the

Primary Driver

Lower Temperature Applications

(<140F)

Flowing Liquid Hydrocarbons

– Aromatics

– Condensates

Increased Exit Temperatures

– Horizontal Drilling Higher Flow

Rates

– Deeper Wells

H2S and CO2 Environments

• History • Moving Forward



What Are Reinforced (“RTP”)

Comprised of Three Distinct Layers

– Inner Liner for Fluid Transport

– Reinforcement Layer for Strength

– Outer Sheath/Jacket to Protect

Braid

Each Layer Designed for the

Application



Key considerations for Inner Liners

Chemical Compatibility

– Individual Components

– Interaction Among Components

Permeation

– Impact of Liquids and Fluids

– Impact of Temperature

Physical Properties

– Abrasion

– Cyclic Loading




• Nylon 11 Hydrolysis Impact in Pure Water and a CO2/Water Mix

• PPS Affects in Norsok M710 Solution for Typical Sour Solution

Volume (%) Composition

30 3% CO2, 2% H2S, 95% CH4

10 Distilled water (conductivity < 5 S)

60 70% heptane, 20% cyclohexane, 10%

toluene



Impact of Permeation

PPS H2S vs. CO2 Permeation Data

cc/M2-day

0.028

171

0.066

317

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

H2S CO2

23C 40/35C

H2S at 23 and 40 C and CO2 at 23 and 35C Source: Mocon



Impact of Temperature on PermeationCO2 Transmission Data

cc/M2-day

HDPE at 23 and 30C, MOCON Data Source

Nylon at 25C and 35C



Physical Properties of the Liners

Material

Mg

loss/1,000Cycl

es

304 Stainless 50 mg

Nylon 5 mg

PPS 17 mg

TFE 500

PP 15-20

• Taber Abrasion Performance

• Cold Temperature Cyclic Loading

Source RAL & George Fisher

• 1,000 Cycles with 300PSI

Amplitude

• 2 Degrees F

• Inspection for Crack



Key Design Considerations for Reinforcement Layer

Long Term Static Design Strength

Cyclic Loading Strength




Long Term Static Design Strength

Long Term Testing Per ASTM D2992

– Slope of Line is a Function of Reinforcement material

– Basis for all RTP’s



Impact of Cyclic Loading Utilizing Aramid Fibers

275PSI Rated Pipe

300PSI Pressure Cycle Amplitude

100,000cycles (20 year Design

Cycles for APP)

1 Cycle Per 2 Seconds

No Change in Unreinforced Product

Sample Number Burst Pressure

(PSI)

Sample 1 1,885

Sample 2 2,016

Sample 3 1,958

Baseline 1,984

Sample Average 1953.3

Standard Deviation 65.6



Impact of High Temperature and Acidic Environment on

Aramid Fibers

All Aramids are not the Same

Assume the Outer Jacket of RTP will be Breached

Test for Temperature and Environment



Key Considerations for Outer Jacket

Abrasion Resistance

Compatibility with Outside

Environment

Toughness

– Cold Temperature

– Rapid Impact



Case Study: High H2S Gas Line

750PSI Sour Gas

– 80,000PPM H2S

– 100,000PPM CO2

– 45C Operating Temp.

PPS Lined RTP Inside of Steel

– Annulus Sealed

– Monitored with Nitrogen for H2S

Pick Up and Pressure



Results After 18 Months

No Change in Fiber Strength in

High H2S/CO2 Environment

Consistent PPS Micrographs

Aramid Fiber

Break Strength

(N)

New Un-aged 900 +/- 80

Aged Fibers 910 +/- 90



Case Study: High Temp High CO2 Oil Flow Line

95C Operating Temperature

> 25% CO2

Oil/Brine/ Gas Flow Line

PPS Lined, Nylon Jacketed



Results after 2 Years

Ground was Saturated

– Nylon Subject to Hydrolysis

– Outer jacket replaced with Modified

PP

Coated Carbon Steel Couplings

Corroded

– Sand Abrades Coating

– New Lines with Solid Duplex 2205

Stainless



RTP Pipes Can be Used in Severe Oilfield Environments

Liners Must Be:

– Compatible with the Mix of Solutions

– Able to Handle Permeation at Temperature

Reinforcements Must Be:

– Withstand Long Term Loads (Static and Cyclic)

– Compatible with the External Environment

– Different Grades of Reinforcements Has Different Properties

Outer Jacket Must Protect the Reinforcment

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