Papers
Plastic Pipes Conference Association # 2012 Barcelona
Kallum Morland, Blaine Weller
An enhanced reinforced thermoplastic pipe for higher temperature (RTP-HT) applications has been introduced utilizing a high performance grade of PE material (Bimodal HDPE-RT) to cater to oil and gas pipelines that experience continuous service temperatures of up to 82°C (180°F).
The primary use of RTP-HT has been in the upstream oil and gas industry for a range of oil and gas gathering applications. RTP-HT offers cost-effectiveness, resistance to corrosion, joint reliability, rugged design and demonstrated efficiency of installation.
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the design and performance verification approach of this innovative pipe product, particularly the compatibility of RTP-HT pipe in gas condensate containing high aromatic and cyclo-aliphatic hydrocarbons. An extensive test program, in addition to 10,000 hr regression hold testing, has been conducted to evaluate this innovative pipe. This test program includes thermal cycling, elevated temperature ageing, low temperature impact and rapid gas decompression testing. Testing was conducted in accordance with the requirements of API 15S. The test program to determine the chemical compatibility of RTP-HT consisted of exposing polymeric liner samples to highly aromatic and cyclo-aliphatic hydrocarbons at a maximum operating temperature of 82°C (180°F) and also with a 25°C (77°F) increase from the maximum operating temperature. The combined effects of temperature and aromatics were evaluated by mechanical property analysis of the saturated samples.
Similar tests were also conducted with pipe and field fitting samples. The results allowed for the determination of acceptable concentration levels of aromatic hydrocarbons at a variety of temperatures.
Related papers
Author(s) : René Hermkens, Ernst van der Stok, Johannes de Bruin, Jeroen Weller
The replacement of fossil fuels like natural gas by sustainable gases such as biogas and hydrogen can mitigate global warming. There has been some debate about the impact of sustainable gases on the materials used in the gas grid. An extensive study of the behaviour of PE, PVC, POM and rubber materials was therefore...
Author(s) : Ernst van der Stok, Jeroen Weller, Frans Scholten
This paper describes falling-weight tests as a first step towards determining the effect of residual stresses on the fracture behaviour of old PVC-U gas pipes at impact. Results showed that the level of surrounding pipe support, the quality of the material and the diameter of the striker had a major effect on the...
Author(s) : J. Weller, R.J.M. Hermkens, E.J.W. van der Stok
To prevent an enormous surge in the replacement costs of the Dutch PVC gas distribution grid a so-called Exit Assessment programme was started in 2004. This programme determines the actual quality of old excavated PVC-U and PVC-Hi pipes using a tensile-impact test at temperatures varying from -25°C to +47,5°C, whereby...
Author(s) : MSc. J. Weller, R.J.M. Hermkens
More than 75,000 km of PVC pipes are currently in use for the distribution of natural gas in The Netherlands, which make up over 60% of the distribution grid. To gain insight in the factors that influence the quality of those pipes a so called Exit Assessment programme was started in 2004. Part of this programme...
Author(s) : Nathan Lesage, Blaine Weller
Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP) combines high performing materials with high strength reinforcements in a unique construction to create a spoolable high pressure pipeline system. This construction is well suited to a variety of applications. The primary use of RTP has been in the upstream oil and gas industry for...
Author(s) : Weller
Members of the Association
