Materials System Specification
Materials System Specification
Materials System Specification
Contents
1 Scope ................................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations ................................... 2
3 References........................................................ 2
4 Modifications of API RP 15CLT. ........................ 4
Revision Summary................................................. 11
1 Scope
1.1 This specification defines the minimum mandatory requirements for qualifying
the liner and liner-pipe assembly used in composite lined carbon steel downhole
tubing and casing. These tubular components are utilized for handling and
transporting water, liquid and gases hydrocarbons, and multiphase fluids.
This specification is a supplement to standard API RP 15CLT:2007
“Recommended Practice for Composite Lined Steel Tubular Goods”.
1.2 Composite lined tubing typically consists of a fiber reinforced polymer liner
within the steel host, providing protection of that steel host from corrosive attack.
Both API and premium connections can be employed, typically using corrosion
barrier rings to maintain corrosion resistance between ends of adjacent liners.
1.3 This qualification procedure applies to composite lined carbon steel for systems
operating at pressures up to 10,000 psi (69 MPa) and maximum temperatures of
150°C (284°F).
1.4 This specification is not intended to define the requirements for qualification,
quality control, application, and documentation of the host steel downhole tubing.
For steel downhole tubing, please refer to 45-SAMSS-006 “Casing, Tubing,
Conductor, and Accessories Requirements per API SPEC 5CT, API SPEC 5CRA,
and API SPEC 5L”.
Any conflicts between this document and other applicable Mandatory Saudi Aramco
Engineering Requirements (MSAERs) shall be addressed to the EK&RD Coordinator.
Any deviation from the requirements herein shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302.
3 References
Material supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition of the
references listed below unless otherwise noted:
British Standard
BS EN 13121-2 GRP Tanks and Vessels for Use above Ground -
Part 2: Composite Materials -Chemical
Resistance (10/14/2003)
The following paragraph numbers refer to API RP 15CLT:2007, which is part of this
specification. The text in each paragraph below is an addition, exception, modification,
no change or deletion to API RP 15CLT:2007, as noted. Paragraph numbers not
appearing in API RP 15 CLT:2007 are new addition to the document.
2 References
3 Glossary
Flare or End Cap: Molded polymeric component used to cap the cut
end of the liner and also cover any movement of the liner away from the
edge of the steel.
The carbon steel tubing shall have the required resistance to sulfide stress
cracking as defined by ISO 15156, based on the bore fluid composition.
5 Qualification Program
The capability of the materials used in liners, flares, and CBR shall be
demonstrated by the successful completion of the tests described in this
section.
Special chemicals used eventually for short period of time during the
lifecycle of the composite lined carbon steel goods, special well treatment
services such as acidification or scale remover chemicals, required short
term exposure test as described in NACE TM0298. The total assessment
Mechanical (strength or modulus) properties shall be lower than 25% to
consider that the material is suitable for the service, at least for 20 year
life cycle. The buyer may require special assessment of the chemical
resistance of the liner material under operational conditions. The test
conditions should be agreed between the Manufacturer or Vendor, and
the Nonmetallic Standards Committee Chairman.
The GRE line tubular connection seal system (flare and CB ring) can be
interchangeable with multiple connections (new VAM, VAGT, SEC,
TPS, etc.). In this case, the vendor must provide qualification test at
least for the two most representative connection systems (i.e., new VAM
and API) used by Saudi Aramco. For the rest connections, performance
can be demonstrate through field experience and technical
documentation. In case new connection designs are incorporated by
Saudi Aramco, they shall be tested and qualified accordingly if no
historical performance is available.
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
©Saudi Aramco 2019. All rights reserved. Page 8 of 17
Document Responsibility: Nonmetallic Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-045
Issue Date: 3 June 2019 Qualification Requirements for Composite Materials
Next Planned Update: 31 January 2022 used in Lined Carbon Steel Downhole Tubing and Casing
Liquid and gas mixtures as well as temperature and pressure used shall
be representative of the well operating conditions. Lined samples should
be exposed to the representative fluid mixture at the required pressure
and temperature until saturation for a period not less than 7 days,
followed by decompression at a minimum rate of 100 psi/min until full
depressurization is reached. After depressurization cycle, shall be then
visually inspected for voids, cracks, and delamination. No defects,
reaching the metal surface are allowed.
Some gas applications may require to test GRE lined downhole tubing at
higher depressurization rates. In these cases, the qualification shall be
done at the specific operation depressurization conditions.
The make and break connection tests shall be carried out at least five
times following the connection manufacturer’s procedures. There shall
be no galling at any time, and no significant changes in makeup
properties from the standard product. There should be no damage to
liners, flares, or CBR. Actual torque values shall be available for review
by the Buyer’s Representative.
GRE lined casing and tubing in contact with sealing elements (packers)
shall be functionally tested at rated pressure to make sure there is no
visual damage or cracking as result of contact pressure. Usually, the
packer sealing element design is modified to minimize any grip or mark
on the GRE surface.
The drift diameter of the lined tubing shall be quoted by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer shall check, using a caliper, that each joint meets the
required drift diameter. No obstruction or damage of the liner/flare is
acceptable.
The liner shall be free from visible cracks, holes, protrusions, foreign
inclusions, or other injurious defects, as established by the manufacturer.
The liner shall be uniform within the manufacturer’s acceptable limits in
terms of color, roundness, density and physical properties. The defect
types, acceptance criteria, and recommended corrective action are listed
in Table B.1 in Appendix B.
In case of reuse of GRE lined downhole tubing after pulling out of the
well, the liner shall pass boroscope visual inspection as per Table B.1 of
Appendix B and flares and CBR rings shall be replaced.
7.2 Marking
8 Documentation
The full information that shall accompany a purchase order for composite
lined tubing is outlined in Appendix C.
Revision Summary
16 January 2014 Major revision to capture comments from Operations/end users.
1 January 2018 Editorial revision to modify paragraph 5.1.4.
31 January 2019 Major revision to overly with API 15CLT.
3 June 2019 Editorial revision to adhere with the new guidelines set forth by the revised SAEP-301,
paragraph 5.6.2.
A.1 General
All criteria should be assessed after the relevant immersion time periods.
A.2.1 Appearance
Color of the mold surface, after immersion in the medium, color change
should be assessed on a scale of 0 to 5. No change to the translucent
initial color (performance level - 0) to complete color change and
darkening (performance level - 5).
The performance level score from each test should be multiplied by the
weighting factor for each criterion and combined to form a total for the range of
tests carried out (Table B.1). The total should be compared with the maximum
total, obtained by summing the product of each weighting for each criterion with
the poorest performance rating for each of the tests carried out. For example, if
color, tackiness, crazing, retention of flexural modulus and retention of (flexural
or tensile) strength are the measured criteria for immersion/double side exposure
then the maximum (worse) score would be
( 2 x 5 ) + ( 4 x 5 ) + ( 5 x 5 ) + ( 5 x 10 ) + ( 5 x 10 ) = 155.
(Note: Higher score means lower performance)
Where no deterioration has occurred over the duration of the assessment, i.e., the
assessment score is less than 50 % of the total possible score then, the material
performance for long term exposure (6.1.1.1) should be appraised as suitable for the
services. In the case of the short exposure fluid (6.1.1.2), the score should be lower
than 25%.
B.1 General
Corrective
Defect Type Description Criteria
Action
“Bright solid” area in laminate due
Delamination to lack of bond between resin and
None permitted Rejected
(internal) fibers. Separation of layers (plies)
within laminate.
Area of incomplete surface film
where the reinforcement has not
Dry spot None permitted Reject
been wetted by resin, leaving bare
exposed fibers.
Rupture of laminate with complete
penetration. Majority of fibers
Fracture None permitted Reject
broken. Visible as lighter colored
area of inter-laminar separation.
Light area with or without broken
Impact damage None permitted Reject
fibers
Inclusion Foreign matter wound into laminate None permitted Reject
Lack of fibers Resin/fiber ratio too high None permitted Reject
Diameter greater than
0,8 mm, and/or depth
Small crater in the inner surface of
greater than liner
the laminate, with width (max.
Pit (pinhole) thickness or 10% of Reject
diameter) similar to or smaller than
liner wall thickness,
depth
and/or damaged
fibers
The Buyer should provide the following information with all purchase orders for
composite lined tubing.