JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012 - 77

certification

Certification of composite pipes for the oil & gas industry
The oil & gas exploration and production sector has been expanding rapidly in India and should attract enormous capital investment in future. As a more eco-friendly and cost-effective mode of transportation, composite pipelines are receiving growing attention. Most of them are buried, making them safe, efficient, and largely unseen. As a result, given the large-scale construction and development activities arising from the accelerated growth of the infrastructure industry, the pipes and pipe fittings sector is certain to record significant expansion.

SAngeetA BAkSi (1), SoumitrA BiSWAS (2) ADvAnceD compoSiteS progrAmme, technology informAtion, forecASting & ASSeSSment council (tifAc), DepArtment of Science & technology (govt. of inDiA), leenA moDi (3), JAyrAh ShAh (4), epp compoSiteS pvt. ltD., rAJkot (guJArAt) SuBhASh chAnDrA lAkkAD (5), ADJunct fAculty, inDiAn inStitute of technology BomBAy

omposite piping applications are developing steadily as a function of the current state of the art. In the last five years, composite pipes have become established in India and are now gaining wide acceptance in the potable water transportation, sewage, desalination, offshore oil production, pulp & paper and power plant sectors, among others. The demand for composite pipes from the oil & gas sector alone is expected to grow at a 9-10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years, driving overall demand in India to grow at an 8-9% CAGR. Due to their corrosion resistance, composite pipes have been used extensively in the oil & gas industry for the past two decades. Significant advances have been made in the areas of composite pipe work and fluid handling. The high cost of steel piping replacement in retrofitting applications and the increased longevity of composites in new construction are driving the use of these materials, which can withstand the severe conditions of

offshore environments. In the offshore oil & gas industry, oil rig construction costs could be reduced by replacing heavy metal pipelines with lighter ones made of composites. Composite pipes could also be used for fire water systems, sea water cooling, and drainage or sewerage systems. The cost advantages of composite products are much greater when they replace the expensive corrosion-resistant metals such as copper-nickel alloys, duplex/super duplex stainless steel, or titanium used in offshore platforms for various applications.

and heat loss. Another major benefit of GRE pipes is that once installed, they are virtually maintenance free. In the oil & gas industry, high-pressure applications for composite pipes include 4,000 psi 4” pipes in oil field service, 2-16” pipes for water filtration projects and 12” pipelines operating at 290 psi at temperatures up to 50°C in salt water/ crude oil. In offshore environments, GRE piping systems offer a complete solution against highly corrosive fluids at various pressures and temperatures, and adverse soil and weather conditions, especially in oil exploration, desalination, chemical plants, fire mains, dredging, and potable water applications.

GRE technology
Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) pipes are commonly used in oil transportation applications where resistance to crude oil, paraffin build-up and high internal pressure is required. The smooth internal surface of GRE pipes produces reduced friction and high flow rates. The chemical resistance and service temperature of composite pipes transporting a particular fluid depend on the resin formulation and additives used, among others. The low thermal conductivity of GRE pipes as compared to steel (only one percent of steel values) minimizes insulation costs

Composite pipes

No73 June 2012

/ jec composites magazine 77

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #73 - June 2012