TPI January 2014

products & developments

Clean, capped, coiled pipes approved for

GPS Excel3C features factory-sealed pipe ends secured by a protective cap

longer storage PE pipe specialist GPS PE Pipe Systems has extended the safe open-air storage period of its Excel 3C (clean, capped, coiled) pipes from six months to a year, following independent tests by the WRc (Water Research Centre) and approval from the Secretary of State. A factory-clean pipe coil designed to reduce installation times and costs, Excel 3C removes the need for pre- chlorination prior to installation. With factory-sealed pipe ends secured by a protective cap and an integral towing head, it ensures that the pipe bore is doubly protected against the risk of contamination. At the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in New Orleans, the Dow Chemical Company announced a milestone in the commercialisation process for the Dow Neptune advanced subsea flow assurance insulation system. Neptune P insulation for line pipes and Neptune F insulation for field joints are now available for offshore flow assurance applications. “We are proud that customers can now confidently choose these key components of the Neptune system to meet their offshore flow assurance needs,” said Alexander Lane, Dow global business leader for oil and gas transmission. “We have been developing the end-to- end system and working to bring each component to market since launching the Neptune Technology early last year. Now, both of these line pipe and field joint coating components have successfully passed multiple rounds of full-scale rigorous testing, ensuring

GPS states that speed of installation, cost and environmental advantages have made Excel 3C a popular choice for many of the UK’s water companies, including Essex & Suffolk Water and Anglian Water, and the pipe’s benefits have now been further enhanced by its extended safe storage period.

safely stored for 12 months without biological compromise.

The WRc’s investigation checked for bacterial colonisation on the inside surface of the pipe on arrival at site and at regular intervals during the outdoor storage. The investigation demonstrated that Excel 3C could be

GPS PE Pipe Systems – UK oxana.latypova@gpsuk.com www.gpsuk.com

Insulation for subsea oil production applications

fusion-bonded epoxy. This simplified system eliminates the need for multiple materials and adhesive tie layers, which reduces the potential risks associated with bonding dissimilar and potentially incompatible materials and contributes to a thinner coating profile. “The commercialisation of Neptune P and Neptune F insulation is a significant step towards bringing the entire Neptune system to market,” said Larry Ryan, general manager, Dow oil, gas and mining. “This announcement comes on the heels of the Neptune system being selected as a winner of a 2013 OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award, which honours new, innovative and proven technologies that have broad market interest and a significant impact on the oil and gas industry’s future. We’re excited that customers can now use this industry-recognised technology and benefit from its elevated performance.”

performance in the high-temperature, high-pressure operating environments found in deep water, as well as in the sub-zero temperatures experienced during cold climate installations or under extreme service conditions.” The Neptune system was developed in direct response to requests from offshore operators for subsea flow assurance protection from the harsh conditions encountered in the evolving offshore production landscape, including broader temperature ranges and higher pressures. The insulation’s tested physical properties include flexibility down to -40°C (-40°F), thermal stability at service temperatures up to at least 160°C (320°F), and a consistently low K-factor. While competitive line pipe coating systems can require as many as seven layers, Neptune insulation has two: a robust and homogeneous layer of novel insulation over a proprietary

Dow Chemical Company – USA www.dow.com

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January 2014 Tube Products International