New Technologies and New Standards required as Oil & Gas Companies move into more Hostile Environments

The constant drive to exploit new reserves across the world is taking oil & gas companies into ever more hostile and extreme environments, calling for the development of new technologies across the supply chain. Moreover, with the recent slump in oil prices, there is particular pressure for solutions that deliver the most cost-effective use of resources.

UK-based Fine Tubes and US-based Superior Tube have been at the forefront of supplying highly corrosion-resistant tubing solutions that support a ‘fit and forget’ approach to help minimise the cost-intensive production downtime necessary to install replacements. One of their key approaches has been the use of more exotic high performance alloys, moving away from standard 316L type grades towards duplex and super duplex stainless steels as well as titanium and nickel alloys.

Fine Tubes and Superior Tube manufacture seamless precision tubing, in straight lengths, which are used for instrumentation equipment in onshore control panels, topside processing facilities, offshore subsea manifolds and templates up to 2,000m under the sea. Technological developments allowing for greater lengths have enabled the connection of remote and satellite wells to both fixed and floating central operating platforms.

Fine Tubes also produces coiled tubing, which is used for downhole hydraulic control and chemical injection lines, subsea hydraulic power and chemical injection lines and smoothbore control lines used in fibre optic applications. Using special orbital welded joints, coils can be manufactured in lengths of up to 13,500m.

With the increased demands placed on equipment in oil & gas production, the consequences of failure are immense, and industry standards are not just stringent but under constant review to ensure that they cover the latest technologies and materials. Fine Tubes, for example, recently received NORSOK approval to supply the industry with super duplex UNS S32750 after previously having been awarded NORSOK approval for the 6Mo alloy.

Besides meeting those standards, Fine Tubes and Superior Tube are also at the forefront of setting them. As a member of the AWES (Advanced Well Equipments Standardization Group) Steering Group, Fine Tubes has been developing a new recommended practice for the  design, manufacture and testing of TEC (Tubing Encased Conductor) cables and control lines. An armoured electrical cable used to provide power and communications to a downhole tool, TEC is typically encased in a longitudinally seam welded metallic tube to protect its content is extremely harsh, hot and corrosive environments.  Membership is by invitation only, and Fine Tubes received its invitation in recognition of the company’s tube making expertise and heritage.

Mark Ayers, Director Oil & Gas Products and Fine Tubes’ representative on AWES commented: “Our participation in the development of this new standard demonstrates our commitment to excellence in critical application design. We have a particular expertise in manufacturing tubing in welded & cold-drawn coils, from 1,000 to 20,000 feet in length, in stainless 316L and nickel 825 alloys, in both standard and unique sizes for the mechanical protection of TEC & TEF (Tube Encased Fibre) cables.”

Whether developing new technologies or contributing to new standards, Fine Tubes and Superior Tube are helping the oil & gas industry to deal successfully, safely and cost-effectively with ever more challenging environments.