Abstract
This paper presents the main research results and examples of structural aluminium alloys (SAA) effective use in the oil and gas wells construction onshore and offshore. The known application cases are drill pipes, tubing and casing. Competitive properties of SAA for hydrocarbons exploration and production were identified as strength-to-weight ratio, high total corrosion resistance, including dissolved hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, absence of cold-shortness effect. The issues with the natural properties of aluminum alloys requiring process and structural corrections were addressed as well. Technical solutions to neutralize characteristics, which limited SAA use in the wells construction have been advised and examples of implementation shown. Among them, technology of surface layers modification, coatings and methods of isolation contacts with other material, system of integrated corrosion protection and optimization of operation environment. Aluminum drilling riser (ADR) is one of the most striking examples of the object from SAA. ADR presents integrated solution of SAA application problems. Finally, SAA could successfully address well construction corrosion issues.
Highlights
Despite some obvious and proven structural aluminium alloys (SAA) advantages in comparison with conventional tube semis, application of aluminum tubular products remains rather limited
Despite some obvious and proven SAA advantages in comparison with conventional tube semis, application of aluminum tubular products remains rather limited. This circumstance can be explained by certain conservatism of the engineering community that still relies on generally accepted opinion on aluminum alloy drawbacks
Many experts believe that these negative properties prevail over such advantages as hydrogen sulfide corrosion resistance, stability of properties at low temperatures and a huge advantage in strength-toweight ratio of the tubular structure – a freely suspended SAS string is almost twice as long as the string made of steel
Summary
Despite some obvious and proven SAA advantages in comparison with conventional tube semis, application of aluminum tubular products remains rather limited This circumstance can be explained by certain conservatism of the engineering community that still relies on generally accepted opinion on aluminum alloy drawbacks. Difficult conditions of field development result in substantially higher costs of well drilling, completion and operation, which were aggravated by the industry transition towards lower oil prices. This is why the authors again offering to consider alternative "aluminum" solutions of the problems in well construction
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
