Application of Spponable Composite Pipe To Oil Gas Industry Flowlines

In early 2000 Hydril Advanced Composites Group introduced an alternative for standard piping products to the industry. Initially utilized for flow lines, the product, called Spoolable Carbon (Fiber) Reinforced Epoxy (SCRE), has had rapid and widespread acceptance for that application. Other applications that the product has been used for include production tubing and injection strings. Early utilization has been limited by production capacity limitations. This SCRE is a continuous length advanced composite pipe that is delivered, stored and deployed on a spool. It provides corrosion resistance to both the flowing media and the environment. Additional advantages of SCRE include an inherent resistance to fouling and pressure losses, lightweight, a reduction in the number of connections and fittings required and ease of installation. Regardless of the price of gas and oil, the driver for selecting SCRE is clearly economic. All operators are interesting in reducing both capital and operating expenditures. When considered on an installed cost basis SCRE offers significant advantages. One operator reports that the installation cost of 2-inch - 1,440 psi SCRE product is approximately 70% of the installed cost of alternative products. This paper seeks to review the development and commercial introduction of SCRE and to review, in general terms, some of the applications in an oil and gas environment that have proven successful.