There are a lot of factors to keep in mind when it comes to pipe protection. Read more below for everything you need to know.
Pipes are vital conduits that facilitate the proper flow of oil, gas, and water. Without pipes, the oil and gas industry will not function properly. That is why pipes need to be in excellent working order at all times.
Regrettably, the oil and gas industry has taken the brunt of most pipe failures that have occurred in recent years. For this reason, the protection of pipes throughout the transportation to storage processes must be heightened for optimal function.
What Happens When the Piping System is Damaged?
A damaged piping system or pipe can significantly impact the supply process within the oil and gas industry. Pipe failures can cripple the drilling company and negatively impact the supply of fuels to consumers.
To avoid such scenarios, many organizations within the oil and gas industry are presently investing heavily in pipe protection products in order to protect their assets sufficiently. These products ensure adequate protection of pipes and guarantee that projects will proceed successfully as planned or scheduled with zero hitches.
Types of Pipe Protection Components
Several types of components are available and used extensively for pipe protection within the oil and gas industry. Some pipes are coated with Cathodic Shielding, a specialized anti-corrosion protective material. Multiple coating options also abound, including fusion bonded epoxy – used on composite pipes – concrete weight coatings, single- and double-layer FBE, thermal insulation, etc.
Other pipe protection components are used in protecting pipes while they are in use, transported, and even stored. Some of the pipe protection products you should know include the following:
- Thread protectors
Thread protectors are among the most popular pipe-protection products used extensively today in the oil and gas industry. They are designed to offer protection to threads, preventing them from severe damage during handling and transportation.
- Pipe chocks
Pipe chocks are primarily designed to be nailed down on a surface made of wood. This helps provide a very stable resting position for every pipe involved in oil, gas, and water storage or transportation.
- Bumper ring
Bumper rings are utilized to prevent any damage caused by the friction of multiple joints of pipes.
- Stabbing guides
Stabbing guides are mostly used for preventing connection failure and face damage when setting up a string of pipes and connecting the box threads.
- Lifting bails
Lifting bails are otherwise known as ‘lifting caps.’ They are used for the safe lifting of drill pipes as well as other vital items.
- Tubular handling systems
Tubular handling systems are designed to provide an organized and stable system for pipe storage.
These are the most popular pipe protection products used extensively within the oil and gas industry. The most efficient pipe production components are made from unique combinations of plastic and resin.
Why Use Plastic Protection Products for Safeguarding Pipes?
Plastic – and metal, at times – thread protectors are actively utilized within the oil and gas industry for safeguarding pipes against severe damage that will hinder transportation and storage of oil, gas, and water.
Using plastics and other related materials for pipe protection has several benefits. They actively prevent thread damage and corrosion; thread protectors also require adequate care. Secondly, plastic pipe protectors are highly resistant to soaring temperatures.
However, despite the unique abilities of plastic pipe protectors to resist soaring temperatures, they should never be stored in temperatures exceeding 550 degrees Celsius.
Pipe Protection Products: The Maximum Benefits That a Mixture of Plastic and Resin Offers
Another type of pipe protection product that is steadily increasing in popularity is a mix of plastic and resin. Several benefits can quickly be derived from using this type of pipe protection product. This is primarily a result of the natural stability and durability of plastic as well as urea-formaldehyde properties in resin.
This is a formidable combination of components that offer great protection to pipes. Volume resistance, tensile strength, as well as low water absorption are just a few benefits associated with resins.
The use of plastic-based pipe protectors also does away with the need to worry or concern oneself about corrosion.
The mixture of these 2 unique and powerful materials – i.e., plastic and resin – provides the much-needed elasticity and stability required during the optimal use of pipes in the oil and gas industry.
This combination enables the plastic-resin pipe protection product to provide a smooth finish while molding easily into highly intricate shapes during operation. This is crucial for space rings that help stop or prevent pipes from bumping against each other during storage or transportation.
Purchasing Pipe Protection Products
If you want to purchase pipe protection products, make sure you only do so from a highly reputable or respected supplier. This supplier must be able to guarantee and verify – beyond reasonable doubts with tangible proof – the overall quality of the plastic-resin mixture.
The supplier must be able to answer any questions you may have about plastic-resin pipe protection products. They must be able to correctly and quickly supply all your plastic-resin mixture pipe protection products.
You can also purchase bumper rings. But make sure you purchase somewhat undersized bumper rings. This makes the ring have a snug fit during operations.
Ensure you purchase at least 3 bumper rings for every pipe length in order to position them on the opposite ends of the pipe as well as in the middle. These rings work efficiently – and effectively – to prevent pipes from knocking or bumping against one another.
Go through the full spectrum of pipe protection products the supplier has that offer 100 percent protection to your pipes during transportation, storage, or when they are in use.
Conclusion
The importance of pipe protection within the oil and gas industry cannot be overstated. Protecting pipes throughout every process, from transportation to storage, makes them function optimally for extended periods.
The use of bumper rings, thread protectors, stabbing guides, etc., help prolong the lifespan of pipes by safeguarding them at all times. There will be adequate protection for your pipe when transported, in use, and stored.