A Tough Initiation for PE100 in Kuwait’s Oil Industry [PE]

Internal corrosion of steel oil and gas flow lines is a problem for many oil companies in the Middle East, especially for wells, where there are high levels of hydrogen sulphide. “Close-fit” internal lining with polyethylene pipes can significantly extend the lifetime of the flow lines but, whilst the use of polyethylene pipe for utility piping systems has grown considerably over the past decade in the Middle East, the Oil and Gas Industry has been fairly cautious in accepting this new material. However, this attitude is changing and they recognise the cost savings that can be achieved by using a new PE lined pipe or relining an existing flow line to extend its useful life. In recent years, Kuwaiti oil production has begun to suffer from an increasingly ‘sour’ supply due to presence of hydrogen sulphide. These concerns have led to this project, which will test out the feasibility of PE close-fit internal linings to protect their future oil flow lines.