Objective
From the mid 1990's through the end of the decade, new oils wells will be exploited in the North Sea (Central Graden) and in Russia (TYUMEN).
These oilwells will produce extremely corrosive fluids (H2S, CO2, Chlorides...) at elevated temperatures (400-450 deg. F) and elevated pressures. These parameters mandate the use of new high alloys types.
These new alloys will be die forged into wellheads and valve castings. The valve castings will be submitted to field tests. The above programme will enable offering European products with the following advantages :
- Good corrosion resistance,
- Increase of mechanical properties,
- Enhancement of equipment safety and reliability,
- Cast and weight reduction of equipments.
The innovative dimension of the project is guaranteed by:
- Invention of new nickel base alloys,
- Die forging technology which has never been used to this type and size of equipment.L%
In the context of the THERMIE project referenced OG./00116/93/FR/UK AUBERT & DUVAL has conducted the following :
1) 4 ingots of 35 Kg to select the best products,
2) 2 semi industrial casts of 1 T, in the 2 best products
3) 2 industrial casts of 8 T, the best one was selected
At each step, Aubert & Duval has studied :
- heat treatment - corrosion resistance
- mechanical properties - weldability
- forging behaviour - machinability with FMC
Aubert & Duval has demonstrated that very important and heavy parts could be closed die in one squeeze in the retained alloy and that all mechanical and corrosion resistance properties could be reached.
Small parts can be produced also without problem.
In conclusion, all objectives have been reached: mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, forging behaviour. This grade is now Nace approved.
The project aim is to realize various equipments for the oil industry bases on studies already performed on high all nickel based steel types.
Through perfection of these steel types, it will be possible to offer materials which are capable of resisting to elevated stresses.
These materials will display the following advantages :
- increased mechanical properties,
- increased resistance of equipment components to fluid corrosion,
- weldability,
- material costs reduction and mass reduction,
- enhancement of equipment safety and reliability.
From the mid-1990's through the end of the decade, approximately 100 wells are scheduled to be drilled and exploited in the North Sea's Central-Graben zone. These high-pressure reservoirs will produce extremely corrosive fluids (H2S, CO2, and chlorides) at elevated temperatures (400 to 450 degrees F.). These parameters mandate the use of nickel based high alloys which, at present, are only available through importation from the United States.
The new alloys will ensure enhanced safety and reliability for supplied drilling and completion systems.
The extremely corrosive fluids attacks conventional metals available today which implies costly maintenance and associated risks during the life of a well.
The prospective alloys will extend the life of the individual components through improved characteristics (i.e. improved mechanical properties, improved corrosion resistance) and will thereby permit significant reduction in maintenance costs.
Moreover, these materials will avoid consistent mobilisation of costly and burdensome equipment, personnel and other resources.
With these actions, AUBERT and DUVAL and FMC will have all elements to realise the following dissemination operations:
- Redaction of flag brochures for OPET networks.
- Redaction of technical notices for concerned alloys.
- International diffusion of documents about alloys and realisation.
- Participation international conferences: STAVENGER, DOT, ABERDEEN, OTC, SPE, NEFTYGAS.
- Information of certification authorities.
- Utilisation of commercial network.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
92200 NEUILLY
France