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FRE (Fiberglass Reinforced Epoxy) pipe provides 10 years of maintenance-free service

Journal Article · · Pipe Line Ind.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6273832

Arco Oil and Gas Co. has experienced 10 years of nearly maintenance-free pipeline service at its Willard unit secondary recovery project in the Wasson (San Andres) field of West Texas. The reason is non-corrosive fiberglass reinforced epoxy (FRE) pipe. Previously a smaller steel pipeline had been used, but it had to be replaced because of higher flow rates. Replacement was made with FRE pipe. Fiberglass pipelines are used to carry oil, saltwater and natural gas from a well to a test station and on into a central facility for separation and treatment. At the Willard unit, the central facility is fed from 14 test stations which, in turn, serve 12 to 30 wells each. Currently, the wells are producing 9500 bopd, 50,000 bbl of water/day, and solution gas. Typically, ca. 1.5 miles of FRE pipe runs from a test station to the central facility. Smaller diameter fiberglass pipe runs from each well to a test station.

OSTI ID:
6273832
Journal Information:
Pipe Line Ind.; (United States), Journal Name: Pipe Line Ind.; (United States) Vol. 56:4; ISSN PLINA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English