In this article, let’s talk about the titanium application in oil & gas.
Over the past 20 years, we are seeing more and more operating companies switch over from copper nickel to titanium for their heat exchanger and piping needs due to reliability concerns.
In recent years, the cases of titanium application in oil & gas projects is increasing, titanium has begun to be used for the making of downhole tubulars. These are components of oil and gas wells, requiring an excellent resistance to corrosion and amazing strength. Titanium is now used for HPHT well applications – high pressure high temperature – demonstrating not only resistance to corrosion but also to stress corrosion cracking.
The global marketplace of oil and gas has begun to increasingly rely on the use of titanium. With a high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance, the metal can be used for the most challenging applications. It is particularly beneficial for exploration, production and refining.
Titanium application in oil & gas industries is that titanium is widely used in such areas as exploration/production, pipelines, underwater operations, engineering/construction and refining.
The applications mainly depend on the unique corrosion resistance of the material in seawater but some use is made of the high specific strength of titanium alloys and also of their excellent resistance to cavitation and erosion. Potential and established uses of titanium include tube‐in‐shell and plate type heat exchangers, equipment for data logging, tanker purge systems, pumps and valves, fixtures and fittings, cathodic protection anodes and submersibles for underwater operations.
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Why is titanium so popular?
As the interest in hydrocarbon reserves becomes more prominent, the wells for extraction are reaching deeper levels. This means that the equipment used must be able to resist higher temperatures, as well as a higher level of pressure and tensile loading. Titanium seems to be the correct response to all of these requirements.
The high levels of titanium application in oil & gas industries have pushed the demand for titanium even further.
The alpha-phase titanium alloys offer the highest resistance to corrosion but it is important to know that all titanium alloys can resist fluid damage (and especially the one caused by seawater).
El corrosion resistance of titanium is ensured by the oxide layer present on the surface of the metal, which is also responsible for its added strength and stability.
Low-pressure seawater piping is made from titanium, as well as coiled tubing, bolts and various downhole tools. Drilling risers and riser taper joints are made from titanium and its alloys (different grades). In the future, manufacturers hope that the metal might be used for subsea piping.
Titanium, a versatile metal for the oil and gas industries
The oil and gas industries appreciate titanium for being a metal that is both versatile and valuable. Recognizing the incredible qualities of titanium, manufacturers have begun to add titanium to steel alloys. This increased not only the strength and density of the material, but also its corrosion resistance.
The titanium-steel alloy has a widespread use nowadays, especially for the lining of downhole tubing. Compressor parts are also made from high-strength titanium alloys. These are durable and guarantee a longer service life, in comparison to the parts that contained only steel alloys.
The fact that titanium is resistant to seawater is not news. However, it is worth mentioning that titanium presents excellent corrosion resistance to other environments as well, including those with carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
In the gas industry, it is a preferred choice, as it is capable of maintaining its strength at extremely low temperatures (used for the liquefaction of natural gas). The tubing of heat exchangers is made from titanium, these being used in liquefied natural gas plants. You will also see titanium being employed for the lining of pressurized vessels (such as those in LNG tankers).
Titanium in offshore
The offshore oil and gas industries rely heavily on titanium and its alloys, it has a wide range of titanium application in oil & gas industry projects. The metal is appreciated for its excellent corrosion resistance, not only in seawater but also in the petroleum refinery environment.
In the past few years, the titanium demand for offshore application has increased tremendously. This is especially seen in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, where titanium and its alloys are used regularly. The use of titanium has eliminated the corrosion problem faced with steel (crevice corrosion in particular).
Cold bending is used for the making of titanium piping, as this method reduced a huge percentage of the welding work. As titanium pipes have a low weight, the installation process is facile and does not require more than one person. Moreover, the pipes made from titanium do not require to be painted. Shot blasting and the treatment of pipe surfaces (post-installation) are not required either.
Titanium pipes are also used for fire systems. Thin-wall welded titanium pipes comply with existent fire regulations, having passed fire tests as well. They have an unparalleled resistance to shock, as well as a high tolerance to damage. This means that they have the best chances for survival in case of various disasters, involving fires, explosions and so on.
On offshore platforms, titanium fire water systems are commonly used. The same goes for titanium pipework, valves and nozzles. Even deluge system detectors and sprinklers are made from titanium. High-pressure heat exchangers are developed from titanium alloys, most commonly from Ti-6AL-4V. These have a reduced weight and volume, offering a considerable advantage.
Titanium in Refining
Titanium’s first major use in the industrial sector came about in the 1960’s as a solution to overhead condensers in refineries.
Since then, as titanium tubing prices have reached record lows, it has seen more and more growth as a solution to seawater and brackish water cooled heat exchangers. then start the titanium application in oil & gas.
And more recently, lower quality crude oil with increased levels of H2S and CO2 have pushed refineries to solve new corrosion issues – which usually leads to titanium tubes and channels, and even linings of scrubber sections.
We have seen this growth first hand over the past 20 years and can help you redesign the most cost effective solution for the issues in your plant.
In short, titanium plays a well-deserved role in the oil and gas industries. It is especially appreciated for its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, being suitable for seawater applications. The offshore industry relies heavily on the use of titanium and its alloys, whether for fire systems, heat exchangers or piping.
We will disscuss more topics about solutions of the titanium application in oil & gas in near future.