Company News Feb 27, 2007 12:00 PM
ThyssenKrupp Nirosta supplies special steels for offshore oil production
As important raw materials such as oil and natural gas become scarcer, world energy demand continues to rise. Energy suppliers are developing new oil and gas sources at ever greater ocean depths. To meet these special requirements, ThyssenKrupp Nirosta supplies various duplex steels for pipelines in the offshore industry. This material can be used under extreme conditions and is particularly suitable for offshore oil and gas exploration.
Oil and natural gas are transported via fixed and flexible pipelines which run along the ocean floor and are connected with platforms and tankers. Attempts are currently being made to drill at ocean depths of up to 3,000 meters. Waves and currents, saltwater and external pressure place extreme demands on the pipe material. From the inside, the connections can be attacked by the oil or natural gas. ThyssenKrupp Nirosta supplies duplex steels to meet these requirements. These materials are much stronger than other stainless steels. Thanks to their structure they offer the necessary hardness and do not rust despite contact with saltwater and oil. “Only duplex steel provides this combination of properties. Given high energy requirements we believe that demand will continue to grow”, said Dr. Georg Uhlig, product manager at ThyssenKrupp Nirosta, at a trade press workshop of ThyssenKrupp Stainless AG in Essen today. Recently, ThyssenKrupp Nirosta has supplied material for numerous oil drilling projects worldwide.
Another new addition to the ThyssenKrupp Nirosta range is so-called lean duplex steel. Thanks to its lower nickel content it is less expensive than standard stainless materials containing molybdenum while offering similar corrosion resistance. Depending on application it can be a good alternative to the established duplex steels and high-alloyed stainless steels.
Duplex steel is also widely used in chemical tankers, not only for the tanks but also for the extensive piping systems on board. It resists corrosion from seawater and chemicals and with its high strength opens up opportunities to reduce wall thickness.