Polymer Lining – A Solution for Water Injection Corrosion Challenges in Asia

Abstract

Deterioration of carbon steel water injection subsea pipelines caused by internal corrosion is a common problem in oil fields around the world. Addressing this issue requires costly and complex water management solutions or could lead to reduced performance and total replacement of corroded pipelines. This paper shall present the Polymer Lined Pipe (PLP) technology, a field proven solution to the water injection corrosion challenges, extensively used in the North Sea. A description of the key building blocks and the recent technology qualifications shall highlight the latest product development. Eventually, the main fabrication and installation steps shall be presented in view of a regional PLP application. A regional business case comparing the three water injection corrosion approaches shall highlight the typical economic metrics that could be achieved thanks to the use of PLP technology. Today, this technology is accessible to operators in the Asia Pacific region with the recent opening of the Bintan Spoolbase in Indonesia enabling the deployment polymer lined water injection pipelines using the reel-lay method of installation. The strategic location of the spoolbase eliminates the significant intercontinental transit costs and the reel-lay method reduces offshore vessel days normally associated with conventional pipe-lay methods (S-lay and J-lay).