Metallurgy
Materials and chemical technology advancements related to metallurgy and corrosion have enabled harsher service environments to be developed including; ultra deepwater field developments, sour and arctic conditions, high pressure/ high temperature, and high fatigue loading related to pipelines and steel catenary risers (SCRs).More material failures have recently been reported and may be attributed to poor materials selection, quality control and fabrication practice resulting in much higher repair cost and lost production.
Corrosion resistant alloys are being seen to give major long term benefits (OPEX), which are outweighing the short term higher capital costs (CAPEX) and an increasing awareness and concern for the environment and safety (HSE).
In order combat some of the concerns related to materials selection, OSG has developed the following capabilities;
- Metallurgy for line pipe, subsea equipment, topsides and offshore and onshore facilities, based upon the service requirements and cost, from the most straightforward to sophisticated alloys and high strength materials, including aluminum, titanium and ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, plastics, resin based composites and elastomers.
- Specific technology development regarding all aspects of clad and lined CRA pipe, cryogenics, high strain applications, arctic, HP /HT requirements and CO2 sequestration.
- Expertise regarding line pipe manufacturers capabilities worldwide and the various manufacturing processes (i.e. DSAW, seamless, spiral, ERW/ HFI, Clad, and Pipe in Pipe systems).
- Chemical composition and heat treatment requirements for specific applications.
- Mechanical property and dimensional tolerance requirements.
- Forging material issues for buckle arrestors, J-lay collars and flexjoints.
- Use of high strength steels such as API 5L Grades X80 and X120.
- Induction bend manufacturing (including chemistry, heat treatment and weldability).
- Specialist sour service testing (HPIC, SOHIC, HE, SSCC, full ring test).
- Assessing materials resistance to hydrogen sulphide, or other fluids and corrosive agents capable of causing crevice, pitting or stress corrosion cracking.
- Ensuring compatibility of materials with cathodic protection and other hydrogen evolution processes.
- Addressing low or high temperature material requirements and relevant testing.
- Coatings for onshore and offshore facilities(including insulation for HP/HT subseas structures and fire protection for onshore facilities and topsides).
- Advising on operational materials risks, risk and integrity management issues.
- Use and application of ferrous materials, CRA’s, non-metallics, clad materials and elastomers for the oil and gas industry in the areas of pipelines, structures, topsides, plant, refineries, piping, downhole, subsea hardware including wellheads, manifolds, PLEM, tubulars, flexibles, umbilicals.
- Corrosion protection by CP and coatings for pipelines, subsea equipment and topsides.