oil and gas Archives - Unitherm Insulation Systems

April 26, 2012 by Kendal White

Pipes, pipes everywhere, but few that you can see: Solutions for underground equipment

We discussed recently the magnitude of the pipeline system [hyperlink] and the benefits we enjoy as a result, so I think it’s worth expanding on what these behemoths must bear in order to serve our shipping needs.

America is home to 2.3 million miles of pipelines that transport petroleum, sewage, slurry water, and ever beer. Envision that for a moment. 2.3 million miles—the American pipeline could wrap around the earth over 80 times.

According to the US Department of Transportation, to match the shipping capacity of even a modest pipeline, we would need “a constant line of tanker trucks, about 750 per day, loading up and moving out every two minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The majority of pipelines carry hazardous liquids or gas and, for safety and sightly-ness, they often reside underground. This means they must withstand enormous pressure as well as the relentless forces of water, ice, soil, and roots. If left unprotected, pipelines can physically crack or corrode over time.

Pipelines are not only vulnerable underground—the process of transferring and installing them has damaging effects as well. Because of potential risks, many oil and gas companies coat their pipes before moving them to the install site.

One company in particular needed to transport a pipeline .6 miles in length. The route to the install site forced the pipeline under a highway and a canal. They applied a standard paint coating and proceeded to drag the pipe several miles underground. The pipe emerged with substantial damage on the outer coating.

.6 miles of pipeline dragged underground

Before the next attempt, they applied SolarShell fiberglass laminate as a protective layer. The difference was clear. This time, the pipe emerged with no sign of damage. SolarShell not only reinforced the seams and overlaps, but protected all .6 miles of the pipeline.

SolarShell reinforces seams and overlaps

Because SolarShell cures quickly and can be applied by hand without any special equipment, the oil and gas company enjoyed quick turnaround on this project. Plus, the laminate allowed the pipe to flex and bend without cracking, making the install just as easy as the application.

Laminate allows pipe to bend and flex

Bend it, drag it, bury it. With a protective layer of SolarShell, our invaluable pipeline system can stay strong. Even if you don’t work with miles of pipeline, SolarShell can protect the cornerstones of almost any industry. That being said, I’ll leave you with an SAT-style analogy (which hopefully doesn’t conjure up memories of teenage test-day frenzy).

Pipelines : Oil and Gas ::
_______ : Your Industry

March 29, 2012 by Kendal White

Keep the World’s Pipelines in Good Working Order

We are a world on the move. Transportation is key to our way of life, and I’m not just talking about planes, trains, and automobiles here. Sure we move ourselves all the time, but think about all of the commodities we keep in transit. We send packages, parts, products around the world everyday. From space we probably look like busy worker bees in whirlwinds of constant motion.

The invention of modern vehicles transformed the way we operate in daily life—we revere innovators like Henry Ford and the Wright Brothers for their contributions, but rarely do we recognize how important pipelines are in our society

Pipelines allow us to transport any chemically stable substance. We’ve built pipelines for sewage, slurry water, and even beer. But arguably the most valuable are those transporting fuels. I would venture to say that no one in the oil and gas industry underestimates the value of the pipeline.

Since the 19^th century, we have amassed 2.3 million miles of pipelines in the US alone. Compared to other shipping methods, pipelines have lower cost per unit and higher capacity, and they can handle the dirty stuff we don’t really want spilling out into the environment. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that we take good care of our precious pipelines.

This is how SolarShell has entered the oil and gas industry. The fiberglass laminate is great for repairing steel, concrete, insulation glass, and wood applications, but its capabilities don’t end there. With an infrastructure as massive as the pipeline, we must always be planning ahead. SolarShell is a wonderful way to prevent corrosion and protect against future damage.

SolarShell is resistant to chemicals and thus perfect for protecting pipes. One oil and gas company coated the outside of a large pipe with SolarShell before installing and burying it underground. Pipes protected with SolarShell—whether buried, dragged, or exposed to the elements—show no signs damage.

Laminate curing in the sun

It would be nice if pipes and other important equipment could outlast the relentless forces of Mother Nature, but most of the applications we rely on require extra reinforcement. Luckily, laminates like SolarShell exist for that very reason. What is essential in your industry that could benefit from the added support of SolarShell?

September 7, 2011 by Kendal White

Petroleum Industry 1901-2011: A Timeline

The history of American oil and gas industry tells a sometimes forgotten story of innovation and progress. It not only serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come in the last century but also highlights our capacity for improving energy technology for the future.

1901 North American Oil Boom
The first oil “gusher” blows in Texas at the Spindletop field, boosting annual American oil production from thousands to millions of barrels per year. Interest in oil surges, ushering in the modern age of petroleum.

1913 New Methods of Refining Oil
In Germany, chemist Freidrich Bergius introduces a process known as high-pressure hydrogenation, significantly improving gasoline output from the refining process.

1930-1940 Nylon and Polyester Invented and Commercialized
Led by research at American DuPont Chemical, chemists develop groundbreaking synthetic materials from oil-refining byproducts. Within a few years, nylon, and polyester are used to produce clothing, parachutes and a variety of industrial materials.

1942 Fluid Catalytic Cracking
Exxon implements the world’s first commercial Fluid Catalytic Cracking system. FCC revolutionizes oil refining by creating a lighter, more usable product. FCC remains an important part of the oil refining business and is still used in refineries today.

1950-1970 Synthetic Oil
AMSOIL and Mobil Oil lead development of synthetic oils designed for high-performance military jets. In response to the success in military applications and a worldwide oil crisis, petrochemical companies introduce synthetic oils for automobiles in the 1970’s.

1970 Wave and Pulse Technology
US Department of Energy’s, National Energy Technology Laboratory aids in introducing seismic technology and mud pulse telemetry to the industry. Using seismic wave to locate oil and mud pulse telemetry to measure while drilling, oil companies save millions while locating and drilling for oil.

1990-2011
Fueled by the US Energy Policy Act of 1992, companies implement more efficient methods for producing and using alternative energy sources. These new energy efficiency standards lead to a surge in research and development and investments in alternative fuels and natural gas production.

Pipes, pipes everywhere, but few that you can see: Solutions for underground equipment

Keep the World’s Pipelines in Good Working Order

Petroleum Industry 1901-2011: A Timeline

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