A flexible solution for corrosion mitigation

摘要

The first successful application of a solution for repairing damaged flexible risers without using costly intervention techniques has been carried out for an independent operator in the North Sea. It is not uncommon for the outer sheath of flexible risers and umbilicals to be damaged during installation or to become ruptured by annulus vent blockages. According to Oil & Gas UK, the annulus integrity of flexibles represents 35% of all flexible pipe-related issues worldwide. If the problem is left unaddressed, it can lead to rapid corrosion of tensile armor layers and premature pipe failure. The enclosed area inside an I-tube is particularly problematic because there is restricted access for inspection, and damage often occurs around the splash zone level where oxygenated seawater can cause aggressive corrosion. Flexlife recently carried out a successful first application of its FlexGel product in a UK North Sea operation for an independent oil company. FlexGel is an oil-based product that is nonsoluble in water with a density that can be tuned depending on the application. It was devised to mitigate corrosion of damaged areas of flexible risers or umbilicals within I-tubes and help safely extend the operating life of assets within the oil and gas production process.