BASF collaborates with Perma-Pipe Oil and Gas for deep ocean developments

BASF supplied Elastoshore ZeroHg technology to Perma-Pipe, allowing Perma-Pipe to apply its Auto-Therm GSPU "wet" insulation to the flowlines, risers, pipeline end terminations (PLETS), manifold, jumpers and shrouds required for the subsea developments.

Perma-Pipe insulated more than 81,000 feet, or 16 miles, of 4 and 6 inch flowlines and risers for the subsea developments. BASF’s Polyurethane Solutions team worked closely with Perma-Pipe to develop customized Elastoshore products that fit Perma-Pipe processes for both line pipe and custom coating applications.

The resulting Perma-Pipe Auto-Therm GSPU technology is being used in more than 100 miles of flowline and riser pipe insulation currently installed in the Gulf of Mexico.

"Our customized polyurethane solutions enable Perma-Pipe to factory insulate pipe and field equipment of various shapes and sizes with minimal adjustments to the process,” said Dr. Karl Gust, Market Manager, Polyurethane Solutions for BASF in North America. “We recently moved the manufacture of our GSPU product line to our Polyurethane Solutions Systems House in Houston, and believe it is critical to keep our product manufacturing as close to our customers as possible."

The WHO DAT deep ocean field is located in the Mississippi Canyon numbers 503 to 547 situated under 3000 feet of water. The field required the insulation of 51,000 feet of flowline as well as four PLETS, eight jumpers and fifteen shroud covers. The field became operational in December 2011.

The Mandy deep ocean field is located in the Mississippi Canyon Blocks number 199 situated under 3000 feet of water and required the insulation of 31,000 feet of flowlines and risers as well as four PLETS, six jumpers, nine shroud covers, and one manifold. Installation of the equipment was carried out in March 2012, with the field becoming operational in April 2012.

"Keeping the same chemistry of wet insulation for the flowlines and subsea equipment is an advantage for our operators,” said Hank Reuser, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Perma-Pipe Oil and Gas. "Using the same materials, Auto-Therm GSPU, for the entire scope of flow assurance promotes consistency, and a strong sense of confidence."