Oil and gas electrical connector specialist Rampart Products has specified VICTREX HT polymer for a new HPHT (high pressure-high temperature) KTK (Kintec) electrical connector for the efficient and safe transmission of power and data during the drilling process.
As oil reserves continue to be depleted, the industry is being forced to find oil in unconventional places that can expose equipment and components to higher temperatures and pressures as well as aggressive corrosive elements.
“Customers using epoxy connectors face a couple of potential issues,” explained Ed Beshoory, President of Rampart Products. “Consequently, we were looking into high performing materials capable of meeting multiple requirements. As a result, we are now using for the first time a Victrex material, VICTREX HT polymer, due to its consistent properties and processing.”
Using glass fiber reinforced epoxy can result in cracking and chipping, requiring oil service companies to replace the connectors. Rampart Products reported that the VICTREX HT-Based connector has more than twice the impact resistance of the glass-reinforced epoxy constructed connectors which provides greater reliability in use by reducing cracking and chipping.
In addition, the vibrations within the tool can cause dust to be generated from the epoxy connectors which may cause electrical shortages and costly downtime.
Connectors made from Victrex‘s high performing polymer can provide more stability in the drilling process by enabling the reliable transmission of power and data to the tool, compared to incumbent solutions, according to Rampart.
The New connector had to be rated for temperatures beyond 200°C and pressures at 1,380 bar providing also a reliable electrical connection whilst protecting expensive sensors and electronics. Additional requirements included compatibility with industry-standard pin patterns, extended mating cycles and assembly efficiencies.
To prove the reliability of the multi-pin connector made with the Victrex material, Rampart gained data from using a new test vessel. It allows real-world operational settings to test the performance at both high temperature and high pressure simultaneously in a precise manner.
Alternative evaluation strategies might typically be to test the connector at an appropriate temperature but at minimal pressure, or at high pressure and room temperature.
Going beyond standard testing protocols, such as NORSOK and ISO, allows Victrex and the industry to better understand how the materials operate in hash environments.
“Victrex typically tests polymers for longer, that is for more hours, and in real-world condition simulations such as higher temperatures and more aggressive chemical environments than those prescribed by the test protocols,” said Dr. Geoff Small, Energy Market Technology Manager at Victrex. “This provides a better prediction of how the polymer will perform in various conditions to contribute to the development of reliable applications.”
Beyond the upstream drilling market segment, Rampart believes their line of electrical connectors can be used in subsea environments, medical devices and in military applications.
Oilfield drilling equipment, particularly Measure Whilst Drilling (MWD) tensor systems, typically requires 7-14 KTK connectors. The electrical connectors made from the Victrex material can also be used in Logging Whilst Drilling (LWD) tools, and downhole battery pack assemblies.
Source : China Plastic & Rubber Journal
