To reduce exploration and production costs and risks in subsea oil and gas systems, Magma Global Limited has developed the flexible m-pipe technology. Their latest lightweight continuous pipe is both the largest and longest Victrex PEEK-based structure ever, achieved with the support and expertise of Victrex. It can be deployed to depths of 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) and handle pressures of up to 15 kilopounds per square inch. The composite pipe combines Victrex PEEK, high-grade carbon fibre and S-2 glass fibres to form a reliable subsea intervention line that meets the demand for a hydraulic pumping system that can handle high pressures and high flow rates.

Charles Tavner, commercial director at Magma Global Limited, explained in the run up to the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston: “Thanks to partnering with Victrex, we have been able to successfully develop our 10,000 foot solution for hydraulic pumping and light well intervention in the Gulf of Mexico. Victrex PEEK polymer’s high performance, and their material and processing expertise, has supported the new record-breaking flexible and spoolable m-pipe for the oil and gas industry”.

Magma is offering its m-pipe and integrated deployment package as a vessel back-deck system for rapid hydraulic light well intervention. The Magma deployment system has a modular reeler with m-pipe intervention line pipe handling system, built-in tensioner, level wind, controls cabin, hydraulic power unit, installation platform and winch, for rapid pipe deployment and retrieval. The m-pipe is a composite material based on Victrex PEEK polymer, carbon and glass fibres that delivers low fatigue, improved buoyancy in fluids and high resistance to corrosion compared to steel pipe.

“In oil and gas exploration the continuous need to extend scope and efficiency motivates us to develop reliable solutions further. In close collaboration with customers we consequently contribute to solve the toughest challenges”, explains Tom Swanson, energy director at Victrex. By specifying high-performance PEEK composites and polymers that Victrex has developed for this program, the m-pipe in the new Magma deployment system offers:

- capability to handle high temperatures;

- ability to deal with pressures up to 15 ksi;

- deep water capability down to 10,000 feet (3,000 metres);

- excellent fatigue life for thousands of reliable deployments;

- light weight for ease of installation and reduced pipe stress;

- smooth PEEK bore for efficient and rapid flow of intervention fluids;

- resistance to well completion and stimulation fluids and gases for operational reliability.

“Our Victrex PEEK-based m-pipe and deployment system offers regular, reliable low-cost hydraulic well intervention, and can be rented as a complete deployment package from Magma, on either a short-term campaign or annual contract basis. m-pip® reduces the cost of intervention at a time when the oil and gas industry is extremely challenged on operational costs, and is also striving to achieve efficiency and reliability. The Magma system is designed to minimise mobilisation time and maximise vessel utilisation by reducing hydraulic pumping time, reducing intervention costs by up to 30%”, says Tavner.