Key Considerations for the Design of Fiberglass (GRE) Lined Downhole Tubing

ABSTRACT:

Downhole production well tubing is exposed to severe corrosive environments. Plain carbon steel tubing usually does not exhibit an adequate service life in highly corrosive service and the common alternative, corrosion resistant alloys, can be relatively expensive.One lower cost option is to line a carbon steel host with a corrosion resistant fiberglass liner. In 2008, Shell undertook a testing program to study fiberglass lined tubing and validate the operating envelop of fiberglass lined tubing at higher pressures. The testing program discovered that the liner could move or shrink axially (e.g., > 21 mm) from the end of the tube at higher pressures. This axial movement would be detrimental to the protective lining system and allow corrosive exposure of the host pipe ID. Subsequently, a program of analysis was undertaken to investigate design changes that would minimize the liner movement and shrinkage. This paper presents key fiberglass lined tubing design considerations that resulted from these analysis and testing efforts.

Ross, G.R., McDonald, P.E., Dotson, R.L., Coe, D.H., Grimes, W.D., “Key Considerations for the Design of Fiberglass (GRE) Lined Downhole Tubing,” Materials Science & Technology Conference and Exhibition 2010 (MS&T 10), Houston, Texas, USA, 17-21 October 2010, Volume 1 of 4, ISBN: 978-1-61782-032-8