Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Qualifications of Polymeric Materials and Related Challenges in Flexible Pipes for Offshore Applications 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Presentation Outline Introduction of flexible pipes Qualification programs Ageing tests Assessments Validations Implementations Closing comments 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Basic Features of Flexible Pipe Carcass: Provides collapse resistance Inner liner: Contains the process fluid within the pipe bore (PVDF, XLPE, PA) Pressure armour: Provides resistance to internal pressure & radial compressive loads Tensile armour: provides resistance to axial tensile loads Outer sheath: prevents seawater ingress into the annulus (PA, HDPE) 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Basic Features of End-Fitting O-Ring Outer Gasket Inner Gasket Lip Seal Insulation Ring An end-fitting joins the flexible pipes Epoxy 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Flexible Pipe General Arrangement TOPSIDE END FITTING SUBSEA END FITTING PAD EYE PULL HEAD BEND RESTRICTORS BEND STIFFENER MWA CLAMP BULL NOSE PULL HEAD MALE REACTION FLANGE TRANSPORT & INTERMEDIATE FLANGES 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Applications Dynamic riser /static flow lines for transportation of fluid hydrocarbons/gas, and chemicals Dimensions ID: From 2” to 15” Length: From a few hundred meters to kilometers Working conditions Water depths: From a few 100 meters down to 2000 meters Temperature: From subzero up to 130°C Pressure: From 345 bar to 900 bar Environment: Harsh chemicals(pH=4-12),corrosive gas(H2S,CO2) Service life Minimum of 20 years 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Qualification Programs Standards API 17J (ISO 13628-2) API 17TR1 API 17TR2 Client specifications Scale Small (Lab.) Mid Full Mechanical bending rig for lateral buckling 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Property Requirements 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Test Procedures 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Ageing Tests Materials: Identical to those employed in the pipe (i.e. extruded) Conditions: Within the design/service range of the pipe Test environments: Depending on the materials position in the pipe Duration: Change in the key properties reaches to steady state 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Ageing/Failure Mode Physical Creep, Fatigue, Blistering, Crack, Rupture, Chemical Hydrolysis, Oxidation, Thermal Physicochemical Embrittlement, Weathering, Relaxation Creep into Gaps 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Factors Influence Ageing Mode Structural Morphology: crystallinity vs. amorphous Bond chemistry: covalent vs. non-covalent Functional group with heteroatom Environment Chemical agent Heat / UV-irradiation Stress/load 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Assessments Key properties Tensile strength, E-modulus Dimensional stability Chemical integrity Physical integrity 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Validations By thirds party (e.g., Bureau Veritas) Implementations Compiling qualifications of all the materials employed in the pipe in individual material dossier The obtained knowledge through qualifications are basses for the design guide and developments of the pipes 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali

Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali Closing Comments Challenging process Highly complex system No trivial design Tough applications Laborious/Costly Conservative business field 19 June 2014 Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali