Dow introduces NEPTUNE Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System

Dow Oil & Gas announced the launch of the NEPTUNE Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System, a breakthrough technology specifically engineered to with stand the increasingly harsh conditions associated with subsea oil production, experienced in Africa. Dow Oil & Gas is proud to announce that the system is now commercially available for subsea architecture applications through Dow’s global qualified coater network, with line pipe and field joint applications to be available soon in Africa.

This new system allows for reaching wells that are becoming deeper and hotter, such as the case of subsea wells in offshore Africa. The higher reservoir temperatures need an insulation which can cope with this effectively, as the deep water is very cold, yet the depth of the wells below the earth’s crust means they experiences extreme heat. The NEPTUNE will help to address and overcome the previous problems experienced in the region, as it serves as insulation against these extreme temperatures which can change abruptly. 

A simple, complete system designed for line pipe, field joint and subsea architecture applications from the wellhead to the delivery point, the NEPTUNE System outperforms existing subsea flow assurance wet insulation technologies, combining excellent thermal properties with the highest temperature performance end-to-end: from -40°C (-40°F) up to 160°C (320°F) during installation and use, at depths of up to 4,000 meters.

As subsea exploration efforts in the region require wells to be drilled deeper than ever before, the resulting rise in downhole temperature creates a need for reliable insulation that can effectively handle extremely high temperatures,” said Antoine Samaha, Regional Commercial Leader Oil & Gas, Dow Middle East & Africa. “The NEPTUNE system combines an ability to resist extreme temperatures with reliability, to create a technologically superior solution that builds on Dow’s extensive track record in the oil and gas industry.”

Designed in response to direct requests from offshore operators, the NEPTUNE System is the result of a Dow-led multi-million-dollar, multi-year research and development effort.  It is based on an entirely new chemistry developed by Dow for this application: a proprietary, hybrid polyether thermoset. It has undergone full-scale production trials by globally recognized and respected flow assurance insulation system coaters and additionally, the material has been rigorously tested to ensure it meets operators’ stringent design requirements for deepwater oil production.

Compatible with current industry production and installation methods, the NEPTUNE Flow Assurance Insulation system is an easy, all-in-one system with just two layers:

• NEPTUNE FBE Anti-Corrosion Coating, a fusion-bonded epoxy based on patented Dow resin technology.
• NEPTUNE Flow Assurance Insulation Coating, a proprietary, hybrid polyether thermoset material.

Competitive technologies can require up to seven layers. The dual-layer composition of the NEPTUNE System provides a distinct advantage by eliminating the need for a separate adhesive tie layer, simplifying the entire application process and reducing the potential for error.

“Our customers asked for an advanced flow assurance insulation system to withstand the increasingly harsh conditions they encounter in deepwater oil production, and we delivered,” said Larry Ryan, general manager, Dow Oil & Gas, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company.  NEPTUNE Technology builds on 25 years of success with Dow HYPERLAST technology, with more than 500 references worldwide, but now takes a giant step forward. The market knowledge, chemistry expertise and innovation capabilities of Dow combined with the application expertise of the coaters with whom we have collaborated have enabled us to deliver a flow assurance wet insulation solution with the widest temperature range available on the market today.