Materials
Composite Drill Pipe An Available Option
Lincoln has been producing flexible composite drill pipe for short-radius, horizontal drilling since 1991. Its nominal 2.375 inch /60.3 mm (OD), 30 ft/9m long pipe shaft is filament wound with 12K carbon fiber combined with glass fibers in epoxy resin over an elastomeric liner. Standard API rotary shoulder too
Read MoreIssues With Design
Though steel is the traditional material for coiled tubing because of its low price, it is susceptible to corrosion, fatigue failure (caused by repeated coiling and uncoiling), and troublesome joints. In larger sizes, its weight can increase transport difficulties. With the advent of secondary recovery methods
Read MoreSpoolable Composite Tubular Applications
Applications for spoolable composite tubulars can be divided into three major areas — onshore, offshore and downhole. Onshore applications, which include production and gathering lines that convey fluids between wells and surface facilities, are well-suited to spoolable composite tubing and RTP. Offshore appli
Read MoreLooking Forward
Current composite tether designs are leveraged to take advantage of existing oil-field manufacturing facilities. The wirerope stranding facilities, umbilical closing machines, steel anchors and installation methods used today for steel and synthetic cables can immediately accommodate rope-style composite tethe
Read MoreComposite Pipe Valves Offer Corrosion-Free Performance
Composite valves and actuators have gained entry into offshore facilities, as well. At about one-third the weight of steel, fiber-reinforced composite flow control components are a welcome addition to piping systems and increasingly in demand for marine environments as a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alte
Read MoreModular Cable Offers Flexibility
The Composite Carbon Cable system developed by Doris Engineering, IFP, Soficar and Freyssinet is based on a different design. Their concept is to assemble a tether from uniformly sized strands or “modules” made up of parallel rods. Each module is hexagonally shaped, allowing any number of modules (strands) to
Read MoreOngoing Research And Onshore Applications Lead The Way
Deep subsea developments require integrated service umbilicals (ISUs) to transport hydrate control fluids, such as methanol, and hydraulic fluids to control valves at subsea wellheads. ISUs are typically made from small-diameter (typically 0.25 inches/6.5 mm up to 2 inches/50 mm) stainless steel tubes and/or s
Read MoreComposite Production Riser Projects
ABB Vetco Gray is currently developing a 10.05 inch (ID), all-carbon fiber, top-tensioned production riser, designed for use on TLPs and spars. The design enables operation at an internal pressure of 6,000 psi and a mean bulk temperature of 175°F. Ten prototypes are currently undergoing static and fatigue test
Read MoreStudies Support Viability Of Composites
Numerous studies have compared the performance and cost of steel and composite tendons. Conoco, Norske Conoco A/S (NCAS) and KOP headed several projects to qualify composite TLP tethers prior to launching a full sea test. In a recent study, they compared steel and composite TLP systems in water depths up to 9,
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