Why North American markets have shifted to spoolable pipe versus traditional pipeline materials and its implications for Australian operators
Nick Owens A , Mike Feechan A and Don McMillan BA Fiberspar
B Oil & Gas CBM Services
The APPEA Journal 52(1) 345-350 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ11027
Published: 2012
Abstract
During the past 12 years, spoolable pipe has become a widespread preference for in-field gathering and injection applications compared to welded steel and stick fibreglass pipelines. It is now broadly used in oil and gas fields throughout North America, with more than 300 end users, including every major operator.
To date, more than 25,000 km of spoolable pipe has been installed in North America for more than 450 operators. Fast installation, lower costs, safer installation, immunity to corrosion and low maintenance in service are the drivers for this rapid success. The technology is well on its way to displacing steel or stick glass-fibre reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipe as the technology of choice for lines up to nominal 6-inch in diameter. Compared to a single 8- or 10-inch line, companies are finding having multiple spoolable pipes in the same ditch to be more economical.
Field results have demonstrated spoolable pipe’s immunity to corrosion and have also shown how using spoolable pipes can save 25% or more in costs when compared to overall installed costs for welded steel or stick fibreglass pipelines by significantly reducing onsite construction expense, installation time and onsite manpower requirements, including skilled welding personnel.
Nick Owens has more than 10 years’ experience with the oil and gas industry in North America, Asia, North Africa and Europe. He graduated from Imperial College, London with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked for Fiberspar’s Canadian division for a number of years and has recently moved to Brisbane to set up their Australian operations. He has written multiple articles and technical papers. NOwens@fiberspar.com |
Mike Feechan is the senior vice president for Fiberspar Corporation. He has an honours degree in mechanical engineering from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and more than 30 years’ technical and business experience in the oil industry. Mike held several executive management positions, most notably as the director of technology at Halliburton Company, where he was responsible for the development of logging, MWD, LWD and directional drilling technology. He became involved with the development of spoolable composites in 1997 through the joint development project between Halliburton and Fiberspar. He joined Fiberspar as a senior vice president in 2001. Mike holds several patents and is the author of numerous technical papers and articles. mfeechan@fiberspar.com |
Don McMillan has more than 25 years’ experience with the oil and gas industry in Asia, Europe and Australia. He graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Engineering, and a postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Engineering. He consults to the industry and is at present assisting Fiberspar with their Australian operations. don.mcmillan@oilgascbm.com.au |
