case studies
The VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer family of thermoplastic products has helped make important advances in the exploration and production of energy, particularly oil and gas.
A range of applications incorporating VICTREX PEEK polymer have provided longer equipment service life in more severe conditions, including higher temperatures and pressures. It has been instrumental in helping companies achieve higher production rates, reduce downtime, and lower maintenance requirements.
Kutting, Ltd.: Liner Tubes for High Performance Offshore Hoses
The Challenge
Kutting Ltd., the leading independent manufacturer of fully compliant hoses for the offshore industry, was interested in developing a new range of hoses that will offer the oil and gas offshore industry substantially improved permeation resistance, higher chemical resistance and improved temperature resistance compared to existing products in the market.
Kutting supplies hoses for offshore applications including subsea umbilicals. Umbilicals take many forms and may contain electrical cables and hoses of different types, sizes and pressure ratings, including high collapse resistant (HCR) lines for chemical injection. Umbilicals can be static or dynamic or a combination of both and lengths may vary from short, in the case of hydraulic flying leads (HFL), to the long, in the case of Production Control Umbilicals.
As the energy industry moves to more aggressive and demanding operating environments, technology is playing a significant role in the drive to reduce the overall cost of hydrocarbon recovery and develop alternative energy. The selection of the correct material is often seen as a key component for success when seeking to overcome these challenges.
The Solution
Incorporating liner tubes made from VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer, Kutting brought forth its new PEEKline hose range featuring a proprietary design that takes advantage of the polymer’s high mechanical properties, maximizes chemical, thermal and permeation resistance and meets the strictest requirements of the oil and gas offshore market.
The permeability of VICTREX PEEK to hot gasses and liquids, including hot methanol, is an estimated 100 times lower than existing polymer hose materials and has a 260°C (500ºF) continuous temperature.
“As oil and gas exploration and production companies around the world face increasingly challenging conditions such as deeper water, more corrosive environments, and higher pressures and temperatures, the reliability of subsea equipment has become paramount,” said Robert Navo, global oil and gas manager at Victrex. “As a result, Victrex has worked closely with Kutting to support the development of its new PEEKline hose range.”
Navo added, “VICTREX PEEK polymer is being specified more and more for oil and gas applications to help improve operating performance and reduce the risk of downtime associated with component failure. Victrex works with leading companies, such as Kutting, to develop new technologies to meet the ever-changing needs of the energy market.”
< Back to Case Studies
