Oil and Gas Exposures of Composites

MERL’s specialised pressure vessel facilities for the oil and gas industry have allowed MERL to offer these services to oil and gas companies interested in using filament wound or other composites in oil and gas exposures. Composites in the oil and gas industry are often referred to as FRPs (fibre reinforced plastics). Their use is increasing albeit in low critical systems. One growing area for their usage is in risers in order to reduce weight, particularly in deeper water. However, filament wound FRPs are in use as corrosion protection liners in service and MERL has conducted screening tests for clients on various different configurations. In one project, different glass and carbon liners with either thermoset or thermoplastic resins were evaluated at temperatures up to 160°C in a variety of oil field fluids including HCl, methanol and wax and scale dissolvers. One exposure under HPHT conditions involved a production fluid comprising a model hydrocarbon, gas, corrosion inhibitor and seawater at pressures up to 5000 psi. Post exposure evaluation tests including hardness, mechanical properties, SEMs and gravimetric measurements were taken to identify the better performing liner. Thermoplastic FRPs are also candidate materials and they offer high service temperatures and generally higher toughness.