Success case: implementation of a gas pipeline with flexible piping in Amazonas
In 2012, FlexSteel provided 105 km of high quality flexible tubing for Petrobras in Urucu, which ensured the flow of oil and gas fields near the Solimões River Basin, in Amazonas. The pipeline was installed within the Amazon rainforest, in a sensitive tropical forest environment.
An imperative point of the project was to limit deforestation during installation, minimizing the environmental impact and maintaining development with construction along the pipeline. Petrobras needed to ensure that the new pipeline could resist the corrosive effects of the gas produced, while maintaining flow reliability. In addition, the solution needed to be installed directly on rough terrain with minimal construction complexity.
The solution: flexible piping deployment
FlexSteel recommended 6” 2,250-psi (155 bar) flexible tubing - with steel core and high-density polyethylene liners - designed to resist the corrosive effects of gas. The solution was substantially better than in steel tubes, being installed efficiently with the least possible impact, with machine optimization and lower manpower. In addition, FlexSteel developed a plan to train Petrobras employees on best practices for handling pipe and fittings using its own processes.
The result: quick installation and less environmental impact
Three teams completed the installation of the 105km produced gas line in just four months, a 65% reduction in time compared to carbon steel.
The outer and inner layers of the FlexSteel flexible tube provided the operator with a pipeline that ensured production flow. Using smaller teams, reducing equipment and completing the installation quickly, the FlexSteel solution generated a substantial gain for Petrobras. In addition, deforestation was limited during installation, which minimized the environmental impact along the right of way. Finally, given that the FlexSteel pipeline does not require routine maintenance, Petrobras allowed the vegetation to return to full effect. FLUXO represents FlexSteel exclusively in Brazil.