ExxonMobil approves thermoplastic composite pipe for offshore applications

July 14, 2020
ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions Co. has qualified Airborne Oil & Gas’ thermoplastic composite pipe product for applications globally.

Offshore staff

IJMUIDEN, the Netherlands – ExxonMobil Upstream Integrated Solutions Co. has qualified Airborne Oil & Gasthermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) product for applications globally.

Following an assessment of Airborne’s qualification test data and track record, ExxonMobil accepted the TCP jumper product for water injection purposes on its various offshore projects. 

According to ExxonMobil’s Krassimir Doynov, senior technical advisor flexibles, umbilicals and risers: “We see potential for the use of TCP as an intrinsically non-corroding and spoolable lightweight pipe that can be used in a range of static and dynamic deepwater applications.  

“Airborne…has satisfied our criteria for the qualification and design of TCP manufactured from glass fibers and polyethylene, which enables our upstream affiliates’ to consider this technology as a potential alternative to existing solutions for projects that use water injection jumpers made of rigid steel pipe and unbonded flexible pipe.” 

Henk de Boer Ph.D, chief technology officer with Airborne, said: “We have built a basis of track record on flowlines and jumpers in water injection, methanol injection, gas lift and hydrocarbon production applications.  

“Following years of qualification testing, our first product based on carbon fiber and PA12 (nylon) is also qualified, and we are progressing fast with the next material, carbon fiber and PVD.”

07/14/2020