Thermoplastic Liners

A large Canadian operator has used HDPE lined tubing to solve rod on tubing wear and corrosion issues in over 300 wells in Southern Alberta. The wells are completed using 2 7/8-inch and 3 1/2-inch tubing all lined with HDPE. This field has experienced some unique corrosion issues as it has been on polymer injection since 2003. Some of the wells are completed with PC pumps but most are reciprocating beam pump wells. The wells are from 1,000 m to 1,200 m deep and produce medium API oil with high water cuts. Prior to using lined tubing, the tubing was only lasting 3 to 4 months with rod guides. Boron treated steel tubing was tried unsuccessfully in this field prior to using TPL tubulars. The first TPL tubulars were run in October of 2006 and they are now used in all wells operated in the area by this operator.

One independent operator has been using HDPE lined tubing to complete over 60 water injection wells ranging in depth from 1,150 m to 1,300 m with temperatures up to 60°C and pressures of approximately 6,900 kPa. These wells are injecting approximately 2,000 BPD of produced water in 1.600-inch ID drift and 2.000-inch ID drift lined tubulars. The first wells were installed in 1998 and they are all still operating today without any reported tubing leaks or failures.