Why North American markets have shifted to spoolable pipe versus traditional pipeline materials and its implications for Australian operators

Abstract

During the past 12 years, spoolable pipe has become a widespread preference for in-field gathering and injection applications compared to welded steel and stick fibreglass pipelines. It is now broadly used in oil and gas fields throughout North America, with more than 300 end users, including every major operator. To date, more than 25,000 km of spoolable pipe has been installed in North America for more than 450 operators. Fast installation, lower costs, safer installation, immunity to corrosion and low maintenance in service are the drivers for this rapid success. The technology is well on its way to displacing steel or stick glass-fibre reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipe as the technology of choice for lines up to nominal 6-inch in diameter. Compared to a single 8- or 10-inch line, companies are finding having multiple spoolable pipes in the same ditch to be more economical. Field results have demonstrated spoolable pipe’s immunity to corrosion and have also shown how using spoolable pipes can save 25% or more in costs when compared to overall installed costs for welded steel or stick fibreglass pipelines by significantly reducing onsite construction expense, installation time and onsite manpower requirements, including skilled welding personnel.