TPT January 2010

T echnology U pdate

PP compound used in pipe coating for off-shore pipelines

LYONDELLBASELL Industries has launched a new polypropylene (PP) compound that addresses customer needs in the rapidly- expanding market for flexible pipeline systems used in off-shore, deep-sea oil exploration. The new Hifax EBS 153D NAT product was developed for use in multi- layer syntactic coating structures for flexible risers and flowlines, in order to create high- impact strength, improved flexibility and good compression strength in semi-flexible pipeline coating applications. The company claims that, compared to standard PP compounds used in syntactic pipe coating, Hifax EBS 153D NAT features unmatched softness, an essential advantage for flexible off-shore pipeline utilities. “LyondellBasell’s new grade addresses growing market needs, as flexible pipes are becoming the preferred solution in oil exploration,” commented Sean Comerford, LyondellBasell’s technical service manager for pipe coating. “Today’s installation techniques require extensive bending of the pipes, and customers are requesting

highly flexible coatings provided by products such as Hifax EBS 153D. The PP materials traditionally used for syntactic layers are more rigid; a semi-elastomeric coating layer based on Hifax resin enables customers to reduce the risk of stress and breakage in the coating during pipeline winding and installation. It also eases exploitation because the energy dissipation of the total pipeline system improves when exposed to seadrift.” The new resin also meets the demanding requirements of new polypropylene coating structures designed to provide high thermal insulation and high heat resistance. Off- shore pipelines laid in deep water environments present new and more demanding operating requirements for pipe materials. For example, deep water lines are exposed to extreme cold water temperatures on the exterior of the pipeline, while oil temperatures inside the line exceed 130°C. Coating systems must therefore ensure not only anti-corrosion protection, but sufficient insulation properties to

avoid increased viscosity of the crude oil during transport from the seabed to the oil platforms and floating vessels. Coating pipelines at greater depths presents additional challenges. Coating layers must provide resistance to high compression as well as shear stresses that the pipe sections are subjected to during laying operations. LyondellBasell Industries – The Netherlands Website: www.lyondellbasell.com

The new compound is used in flexible pipelines

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J anuary 2010

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