Offshore staff
PANGBOURNE, UK – Castrol has introduced the Transaqua SP-HC hydraulic control fluid, designed to provide protection to subsea production systems.
It is suitable for Electro-Hydraulic Multiplex (EH-Mux) or direct hydraulic control systems in high-pressure, deepwater gas projects of more than 20,000 psi (1,379 bar), where entrained gas may contaminate control lines, with the risk of hydrate formation.
The product can be used throughout production and workover control systems, including downhole Subsurface Safety Valves (SSSVs) and intelligent well completions.
It is designed to provide protection against corrosion of carbon steels, with a capability to tolerate up to 30% seawater contamination based on vapor phase and immersion corrosion testing.
Another benefit, according to the company, is a high level of stability with common system contaminants such as seawater, from up to 50% and completion brines.
It can operate in temperatures ranging from -50ºC (-58ºF) to +150ºC (302ºF), and can also be mixed with other products in the Castrol Transaqua range and other water-based subsea control fluids.
“System protection from key challenges such as hydrate blockage is critical to achieve effective, reliable subsea production,” said Tronje Schneider-Pungs, Energy Lubricants sales director at Castrol. “Not taking appropriate action to ensure optimal performance could lead to huge revenue losses through deferred production and costly interventions.”
The company has developed and qualified the new control fluid in compliance with industry and equipment manufacturer quality standards. It is also tested and registered according to OSPAR environmental requirements in the UK and Norway, and others applicable to the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Azerbaijan.
02.23.2024
