Our Materials and Solutions Optimize Oil Production
1. From Well Bottom to Platform, Flexible Lines Feel the Pressure
Producing deepwater reservoirs, nowadays reaching depths of up to 3,000 meters, requires flexible lines that can withstand very high pressures over long periods in certain regions, especially offshore Brazil. The oil flows through them under pressure, at high temperature, and contains corrosive hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Since conditions rule out the use of polyethylene, we develop risers — flexible lines that tie the well to the platform — with our industrial partners. Arkema materials for the inner lining: bio-based Rilsan® polyamide 11 for difficult configurations (up to 700 bar and 65°C, for example) and Kynar® PVDF for very difficult configurations (700 bar, 130°C). Kepstan® PEKK may be added to the range later on, for extreme conditions of up to 160°C. Rilsan® is also a top choice for making umbilicals, or small-diameter flexible lines used to supply power to various systems on the seabed.
2. Petroleum Additives: Optimizing Production and Protecting Equipment
Oil (or gas) leaving a well always contains water. So, to improve water removal, Middle Eastern and African operators inject specialty products marketed by Arkema under the Prochinor® brand into wells and certain types of surface equipment. The brand is part of a very complete line of oil industry additives. They include Norust® to limit corrosion by seawater or hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), Bactiram® to kill the bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and Inipol® to prevent the formation of mineral, wax, gas hydrate or other deposits that could force costly production shutdowns. With over 600 products in our portfolio that draw on robust formulation expertise, we provide custom solutions for a very wide range of applications, from bottomhole to topside equipment (separators, tanks) and refining columns.
3. Sulfur Removal: A Vital Product and Service
Reducing sulfur in fuel, a cause of acid rain, is a major regulatory and environmental challenge for refiners. It is done by injecting sulfiding catalysts into reactors. These catalysts need to be activated themselves using a sulfur additive, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), of which Arkema is the world’s leading producer. To make sure DMDS is injected at the proper rate and safely, Arkema offers Carelflex®, the only solution of its kind in the world. Highly qualified technicians travel the globe to deliver the service onsite.
4. Molecular Sieves: Custom Solutions for Drying and Purification
Made from synthetic zeolite and sold as tiny beads or rods, Arkema’s Siliporite® molecular sieves have a porous crystalline structure that gives them a remarkable ability to trap the water molecules or sulfur compounds in gas and oil. Their action depends on the size of their mesh (a few angstroms; an angstrom is equal to one ten billionth of a meter or 0.1 nanometers). Added to adsorption columns carrying the flows to be treated, they are vital aids in refineries, petrochemical plants and gas treatment plants. Molecular sieves are used for everything from drying natural gas (which must have less than 0.1 parts per million of water to take on a liquefied form) to separating oil fractions and purifying refining products. Regenerated after each use, they currently have a life of four to five years.
5. Transporting Gas: You Can Smell the Safety
Natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and various other process gases are odorless. So early leak detection during gas transportation and distribution, a major safety concern, requires odorants based on sulfur additives. Arkema offers the world’s broadest line of products globally and in strict compliance with local regulations, under the brands Spotleak® (tert-butylthiol mixtures) for natural gas and Vigileak® for LPG. In addition to supplying them, we offer customers expert, integrated service delivery. The package includes custom transportation and logistics for odorants, technical assistance, and consulting and training for both retail gas distributors and production site operators.
6. 100% Bio-Based Solutions for Gas and Fuel Pipes
Rilsan® polyamide 11 offers a sustainable, high-performance option for a host of oil and gas product transportation applications, both onshore and off. Examples include long-distance gas pipelines in the United States and Australia, fuel pipelines between refineries and distribution centers, service station pump hoses and gasoline fuel lines in car engines. Kynar® is used to make reinforced thermoplastic pipes (RTP) and very tough flexible lines that are increasingly used at production sites in the United States (shale oil) and Saudi Arabia.
