| |
 |
|
Use
of Composite Piping Offshore
The Need
|
The corrosive nature of
offshore facilities has owners looking for alternatives to traditional steel pipe. The
high cost to replace steel piping in retrofit applications and increased longevity in new
construction is driving the search for composite materials which are able to withstand the
severe conditions experienced by offshore facilities. In addition to the problem of
finding acceptable materials the use of composites must be accepted by owners,
contractors, regulatory agencies and insurance companies, all of whom are in a "steel
pipe" paradigm. |
|
The Technology
|
Advantages of composite piping compared to
steel piping are: inherent corrosion resistance, lighter weight, ease of fabrication,
lower maintenance costs, and lower life cycle costs. These result in reduced problems with
corrosion and blockage of fire lines, reduced hot work from welding, reduction in
structural support sizes and reduction in material handling during construction. The
limited use composite piping can be attributed to the lack of engineering experience on
the owner and designer side in addition to a lack of standardization of materials between
manufacturers. Not only will the use of composites increase in higher pressure process
piping there is hope that they can be used in various structural applications such as
tethers and production risers. |
The Benefits
|
In the offshore oil and gas industry, the cost
of manufacturing and erecting offshore oil rigs could be cut significantly if heavy metal
pipelines could be replaced with lighter pipelines made of composites. By reducing the
topside weight of deep-water offshore rigs, the Department of commerce estimates $250,000
could be saved per meter of water depth-an average of about $150 million per unit.
Composite material pipes also could be used for fire water piping, sea water cooling
draining systems, and sewerage without the worry of corrosion. About $20 billion is spent
annually by the petrochemical industry, the pulp and paper industry, and marine industries
in combating corrosion damage to conventional piping.
It has been estimated ("Composites" 1994) that the costs of a new, medium sized
offshore oil platform could be cut significantly if composites, specifically, Glass
Reinforced Plastics, were used. As a result of this type of estimate, Dupont feels that
offshore composites could be a $13 billion market within ten years. |
Status
|
Applications of composite piping are
increasing. Research at the University of Houston, in the Composite Engineering and
Applications Center, includes prediction of life expectancy, cost effective manufacture,
joining technology, inspection methods, standardization of materials systems, and database
development. This research will hopefully result in some performance based specifications
that will spur additional use of composites.
The Marshall Space Flight Center, Louisiana State University, and Specialty Plastics,
Inc., of Baton Rouge, LA, are developing high-performance composite materials to
dramatically enhance the physical properties of hardware used in offshore oil drilling
rigs. |
Barriers
|
Some barriers are lack of acceptance of
"plastic pipe", concerns about fire resistance, vulnerability to impact loading
and vibrations.
To date, the cost of composite materials, along with design and manufacturing complexity,
have restricted such materials to areas such a s national defense or high-performance
sporting goods. |
Points of Contact
- Dr. George Watson, Amoco Research Center,
Naperville, IL.
- Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers, Phone: (205)544-2647
- Kevin Schmit, PE.
Engineering Manager, EDO Specialty Plastics, 15915 Perkins Road
(70810) PO Box 83277, Baton Rouge, LA 70844-3277, email: kschmit@fiberbond.com
References
- 'Composites hit an oil boom',
Reinforced Plastics, December 1994.
- Nasa
Techtracs
- Sarplast
Website
Disclaimer Statement
|
Neither the Construction
Industry Institute nor Purdue University in any way endorses this
technology or represents
that the information presented can be relied upon without further investigation. |
KGM02/CHC
|
