MALAYSIAN DISTRIBUTOR CARRIES OUT WELLHEAD REPAIRS FOR MAJOR OIL AND GAS OPERATOR
Malaysia-based Belzona distributor Worldwide Corrosion Services (WCS) recently completed vital wellhead repairs on an offshore platform for one of the world’s leading Oil and Gas operators. The project was for the repair and protection of 16 wellheads that had started to leak due to pitting corrosion.
Wellhead leaks can be a common problem on offshore platforms and result from the challenging environment in which they operate. Erosion and corrosion can cause pinholes and cracks in the wellhead that must be sealed as soon as possible to minimise any loss in production and, more importantly, ensure the platform’s safety. During a routine inspection, platform engineers had detected and reported gas leaks on 16 wellheads and contacted WCS to propose a repair and protection solution.
Composed of valves, spools, and various adapters, wellheads are located at the top of a natural oil or gas well and act as an interface between the casing strings in the wellbore and surface facilities. The primary function of a wellhead is to manage the pressure and flow of oil or gas.
The engineering team from WCS visited the platform and conducted inspections on each of the wellheads in question to ascertain the severity of the leaks. The teams discovered that each affected wellhead was suffering from varying degrees of corrosion and would need to be repaired using a range of Belzona products and techniques.
For a majority of the wellhead repairs, WCS proposed a system with the surface tolerant Belzona materials 1161, 1212, 5831 together with Belzona 9341 reinforcement tape; however, the more severely damaged wellheads would need to be strengthened further with an application of Belzona SuperWrap II.
The wellhead repairs project started with the application teams carrying out the necessary surface preparation. The teams used a selection of power tools to prepare each surface; upon completion, the surface profile of each wellhead was inspected and measured to ensure all requirements were met to guarantee maximum adhesion strength for the Belzona applications. To complete the preparation, a degreaser was used to clean the surface further and remove any remaining dust, debris and contamination.
Teams of three application specialists applied the bespoke Belzona system to each wellhead repair based on the type and severity of damage that had occurred. Where SuperWrap II was necessary, each application was carried out according to the Non-metallic and Bonded repairs section of ASME PCC2 Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping standard.
The wellhead repairs were facilitated due to the ease of use and fast-curing nature of Belzona products allowing WCS to complete the project in a timely manner. Such was the efficiency and effectiveness of the application that the client has now employed WCS to be on standby for any emergency repairs that may arise in the future.
Worldwide Corrosion Services have been the exclusive distributor of Belzona products in Malaysia for over 30 years; placing a key focus on customer service, the company prides itself on putting the needs of their clients first and foremost. Their teams of highly trained and experienced Belzona application specialists can provide repair and protection solutions for a multitude of industries across the Malaysian territories.
Wellhead Maintenance with Belzona
Offshore wellheads are under constant bombardment from the harsh environmental elements and the corrosive and erosive properties of the hydrocarbons flowing through them; this causes significant wear and deterioration to the wellhead, tree assemblies and casing strings. As the damage to a wellhead can quickly escalate, a comprehensive wellhead maintenance program is essential on all offshore platforms to ensure the safety and integrity of the well.
It is imperative that offshore platform operators have the appropriate wellhead maintenance programs in place as this enables them to identify problem areas and action repairs quickly and effectively. In addition, regular inspection and maintenance will considerably reduce the risk of wellhead failures that could lead to a temporary shutdown of the platform incurring substantial financial implications.
Belzona can provide a whole host of cost-effective solutions to accompany wellhead maintenance and repair programs, ensuring the wellheads continue to operate safely and effectively throughout their field life and beyond.
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