There are a variety of challenges related to sealing in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. Increasing oil extraction leading to higher pressures and temperatures, aggressive chemicals and rapid gas decompression (RGD) in new, more difficult drilling sites are creating operating environments beyond the capabilities of most elastomers. These demanding conditions can impact sealing performance and reliability, and ultimately may result in downtime.
So what can companies do to equip themselves for improved performance?
A white paper from DuPont Performance Polymers looks to address this question. Solving sealing challenges in upstream and downstream environments explores the sealing challenges in O&G and outlines the solutions available to companies in this field.
Challenges
High-pressure, high-temperature conditions pose new challenges for suppliers and operators of surface equipment because they create operating environments beyond the capabilities of many commonly used elastomer seals. Inadequate sealing materials used can impact mean time between repairs, production cost and lead to process upsets due to premature seal damage.
Insight
The new white paper from DuPont and Smithers Rapra offers engineers and managers in oil and gas drilling and exploration, on and off-shore, insight into the unique conditions faced by sealing parts in these applications, and guidance on suitable solutions for longer seal life and inherent process performance. Aspects of sealing challenges and solutions covered in the white paper include:
- Sealing challenges in O&G
- Rapid gas decompression
- Sealing performance measurement
- Solutions available
- Application areas
- Cost of ownership implications.
A free copy of the white paper can be downloaded at:
http://downloads.intertechpira.com/solving-sealing-challenges-upstream-downstream-environments-webinar/