THE USE OF REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC PIPE IN CO2 FLOOD ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY

Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP) is a new technology that is reducing the cost of constructing oil and gas gathering pipelines while improving reliability. The following material will be described: RTP construction, materials, performance, compatibility, joining systems, installation methodologies, and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) specific test results. RTP combines high performing materials such as bimodal high density polyethylene with high strength reinforcing fibers in a unique construction to create a spoolable high pressure pipeline system. This construction is well suited to upstream flow line and gathering applications as well as distribution applications. The primary benefit of RTP is realized by the installation methodologies available which contribute overall project savings of up to 30–50% for typical oil and gas applications. Additional installation benefits include reduced right of way requirements, reduced safety hazards, and reduced environmental impact. For applications which corrode steel, the additional corrosion resistance benefits of RTP are extremely compelling. The cost of constructing pipelines has been steadily increasing in past years due to many factors including the rising cost of steel and limited availability of skilled labor. There continues to be a desire to tie in new gas wells faster due to limited construction timeframes. Pipeline corrosion is a major problem for the industry. RTP provides solutions to all of these challenges.© 2008 ASME