Fortifying Subsea Wells: A Comparative Analysis of Mainwall Insulation Materials Used in Natural Gas Production

Abstract

A comparative analysis of mainwall insulation materials used in natural gas production FortiFying SubSea WellSFortiFying SubSea WellS B y v I l l E s I h v o , J A n n E n E r g , J u h A p y r h ö n E n , & l A r s B r E n n E atural gas recovery from subsea wells is increased by an artificial lift, which can be provided by a compressor installed at the wellheads. such a machine is driven by a high-speed, high-voltage electrical motor that is integrated into the same casing as the compressor. the motor is cooled by the process gas bled from the compressor itself. because the insulation system is in direct contact with the process gas, it must have good chemical resistance and high mechanical strength to withstand the environment.various types of mica-based mainwall insulations were exposed to an environment consisting of: 1) hydrocarbon gas, 2) condensate, and 3) a mixture of produced water and monoethylene glycol at 150 bar and 130 °c. changes in the mechanical properties were