ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE PIPES: The Petroleum and Natural gas industry of United States experienced somewhat called a “dark era” during the years 1939 to 1945 (World War 2), due to the crisis in the transportation of petroleum globally. Oil tankers were used to transport petroleum from Texas oil fields to the east coast. The East coast was the largest petroleum consuming region in U.S and tankers were used to transport petroleum to this region. The involvement of United States in World War 2 lead to the bombardment of this essential link by German submarines which in turn affected the oil supplies of the eastern coast. During this time period, the demand for petroleum and natural increased rapidly in the U.S. and the world markets. The increasing demands of petroleum and gas successively demanded a more secure and efficient method of transporting oil from Texas to the eastern coast.

Under such circumstances, there was a need for an alternative method to transport oil and natural gas. This new approach demanded long distanced pipelines incorporating large diameter pipes^[1].

Transportation of petroleum and natural gas through the pipeline from west to east was a potentially appealing option for U.S. government since it was safe from submarine attacks and was unsusceptible to weather changes. This new methodology for the transportation of petroleum and natural gas over long distances powered the “post-War economic boom” (Trench 2001: 1) and it also modified the operations as well as the functionality of petroleum and natural gas industries.

ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE PIPES, Steel is one of the hardest forms of metal was used as a transporting medium for petroleum and natural gas. The manufacturing of steel pipes that were used in industries was in accordance with the specifications mentioned by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM).

During 1980-1994, U.S. oil research and production steadily plunged; forcing a considerable increase in U.S. imports of petroleum. Furthermore, in 1994 about 50 percent of the oil was imported to fulfil nation’s needs. To reduce oil imports and subsequently increasing oil productions, the industry needed insubstantial material that could easily replace the traditional pipes, made of heavy alloys, used in oil platforms ^[1].

Replacement of heavy alloy pipes with insubstantial pipes will result in numerous advantages that include reduced weight on oil platforms, reduced maintenance cost, immunity to weather changes, no transportation cost.

The alternative to these pipes (ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE PIPES) is to use composite pipes that were made of plastics. Numerous plastics can be used to achieve the same purpose but our area of focus would be RTRP (reinforced thermosetting resin pipe). The key objective of this study is to highlight the advantages of composite pipes over steel pipes and implementation of these pipes in oil and gas industry. However, this evaluation concentrates mainly on a particular type of composite pipes that is RTRP (reinforced thermosetting resin pipe).

OIL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

After World War 2 the petroleum industry grew at a very assertive rate. Furthermore, in 1980-1994, U.S. oil research and production steadily plunged, forcing a considerable increase in U.S. imports of petroleum. Moreover, in 1994 about 50 percent of the oil was imported to fulfil nation’s needs ^[3].

To reduce oil imports and subsequently increasing oil productions, the industry needed insubstantial material that could easily replace the traditional pipes, made of heavy alloys, used in oil platforms.

About570, 000 miles pipelines were seen capable of being built during 1980-1994. A recent study estimates that around 43,000 miles pipelines would be required to satisfy the diversified market. Another study for North America proposes that about 50,000 miles of new pipelines were built in 2001-2010 at a cost of 80 billion dollars ^[3].

Currently, the challenging task for pipeline designers is to fulfil the nation’s demand while keeping cost constant. To overcome these increasing demands, preserving safety and reliability, U.S. government and pipeline designers are finding out methods to replace conventional steel pipes with a much more reliable and easier option. Their alternative method proposes the use of composite pipes instead of steel pipes.

Using composites instead of steel type creates a new type of pipe which is much stronger, durable, light weight and is resistant to corrosion. These days’ composite pipes are gaining attention in oil industry due to their non structural property. They are much safer and are unsusceptible to environmental changes.

NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

The forty year interval between1948-1999 witnesses the formation of about 570,000 miles of transmission pipelines. Approximately, half of 532,000 miles of natural gas pipelines were present in North America during 1998

Between 1948 -1999 about 570,000 miles of transmission pipelines were being built. As of 1998, there were more than 532,000 miles of natural gas pipelines, with almost half in North America (ref 1). New natural gas pipeline projects are being announced all over the world.

A recent study indicated that the desire for natural gas will increase about 2 percent per year till 2020^[2]

Pipelines for transmission of natural gas all over the world which are to be completed within two or three years is about 37,000 miles. About 8000 miles of these pipelines are for north-America.

A recent study estimates that” by 2015 around 43,000 miles pipelines would be required to satisfy the diversified market” ^[3]another study for North America proposes that about 50,000 miles of new pipelines were built in 2001-2010 at a cost of 80 billion dollars ^[3].

The energy information agency of U.S. estimates that prices of natural gas will vary from $3 to$4 through 2020.

The challenging task for the pipeline sector is to fulfil the nation’s demand while keeping cost constant. To overcome these increasing demands, preserving safety and reliability the U.S. government and pipeline designers are finding out methods to replace conventional steel pipes with a much more reliable, easier and cheaper option that can be used for the transmission of natural gas from sub heads to households and merchants.

Current research shows that transmission pipeline for natural gas needs to be operated at higher pressure.

To overcome these increasing demands (ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE PIPES), preserving safety and reliability, the U.S. government and pipeline designers are finding out methods to replace conventional steel pipes with a much more reliable and easier option. Their alternative method proposes the use of composite pipes instead of steel pipes.

ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE PIPES: IMPLEMENTATION OF RTRP RATHER THAN STRUCTURAL STEEL IN INDUSTRY

This article consists of 82 pages and 17545 words. In order to have full access to this article, email us at thdocumentco@hotmail.co.uk

Ref No: 1301

Contents

CHAPTER1-INTRODUCTION

OIL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Recent Posts

Recent Comments