Plastic material solutions for the oil and gas industry
The oil and gas industry demands high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP), high mechanical strength and chemically resistant materials, suitable for the most extreme environments. Modern technical plastics have a major contribution to make towards improving existing solutions in the oil and gas industry, thanks to state-of-the-art materials that offer a greater range of benefits. Façade Creations has invested heavily in research and development to find innovative solutions to new technical challenges. With expertise in developing and manufacturing high-performance and engineering plastic materials, our product portfolio has been enhanced to meet the specific requirements of the oil and gas industry, suitable for a wide range of applications. With extensive experience in the oil and gas sector, Façade Creations works closely with customers to achieve the optimum solution to suit their application’s requirements. Our technical material experts can provide customers with a qualified material recommendation, which can be confirmed by practical testing.
Current systems in place in the oil and gas sector largely use modern materials such as polyimide, PTFE, cast nylon (PA 6 C), PPS, PAI and PEEK. In addition, our PEEK products are tested in accordance with NORSOK M-710, which verifies the material’s resistance to the severe conditions of the environment it will be exposed to.
The oil and natural gas industry is typically broken down into three categories: upstream, midstream and downstream. Oil exploration, extraction and production are the main activities of upstream oil companies.
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Solutions for the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry
The upstream oil and gas industry consists of exploration activities to access hydrocarbons, while also considering safety factors to help reduce negative environmental impact. Exploration can be onshore or offshore. The characteristics of Façade Creations’ high-performance and engineering plastic materials meet the technical requirements for many of the systems involved, leading to optimal production, efficiency, safety and greater equipment lifecycles, while also combining strength, chemical compatibility, wear resistance, conductivity and flammability performance, along with temperature and pressure functionality.
Façade Creations supplies a vast range of products used in upstream oil and gas exploration, including components for blowout preventers (BOP), seal components, electrical connectors, back-up rings, valve seats, housings, high-pressure packing, seal rings and steam seals.
Solutions for the Midstream and Downstream Industry
Midstream
The midstream segment of the oil and natural gas industry refers to everything required to transport and store crude oil and natural gas before they are refined and processed into fuels and the many other products used in everyday life. Midstream also includes pipelines and all the infrastructure needed to move these resources long distances, such as pumping stations, compressors, tank trucks and rail tank cars.
Downstream
The downstream industry includes everything involved in refining and transporting petroleum products to end users – everyday necessities such as diesel, natural gas, gasoline, heating oil, lubricants, asphalt, insecticides, medicines and propane, as well as sub-products such as the chemicals used as base materials for fabrics and plastics.
The characteristics of Façade Creations’ high-performance and engineering plastic materials meet the technical requirements for many of the systems used in midstream and downstream applications, providing optimal production, efficiency, safety and greater equipment lifecycles, while combining strength, high-temperature and high-pressure resistance, mechanical shock resistance, chemical compatibility, friction resistance, conductivity and flammability performance. Our broad product portfolio is used in midstream and downstream applications such as packing rings, valve rings, piston rings, wear bands, bushings, valve seats, lip seals, steam seals and steam bearings.
Benefits from Façade Creations for the Oil and Gas Industry
- Portfolio
- Highest standards
- Global presence
- Efficiency
Custom sizes – or just large!
Façade Creations has extensive experience in the manufacture of PEEK tube, offering a wide range of standard tube sizes and wall thicknesses. Custom sizes are also available, with the ability to adapt to large dimensions. Alongside this, the material blend can be customised by adding fillers and additives to suit the needs of specific applications. A variety of applications in the oil and gas industry can benefit from our PEEK tubes due to their outstanding properties.
Only the highest standards are good enough for us
Our PEEK shapes products are tested according to NORSOK M-710.
We are where you are
Façade Creations’ branches have been strategically placed globally to ensure that we are close to our customers.
Low weight and increased lifetime
Good resistance to common fluids, no corrosion, high thermal resistance, good wear resistance and low friction are properties our materials hold, contributing to reduced maintenance costs and increased equipment lifetime. The use of our low-weight polymers can also reduce energy costs and improve performance and efficiency.
One-Stop Shop for Oil and Gas: Competence from a Single Source
With our many years of experience, we are the expert for your customised application in the oil and gas industry. We can advise you on the selection of the right material, the right processing technology, and the design of the end product. As a full-service plastics supplier, we have a fully integrated value chain, offering everything from compounds, stock shapes or filaments to finished products from a single source.
Finished Oil and Gas Parts from Façade Creations
- Machined parts
- Injection-moulded parts
- Profiles
- Customised tubes
Oil and Gas Products from Façade Creations
- Composites
- Shapes
Material Solutions for the Oil and Gas Industry
NORSOK M-710 compliant materials
Our PEEK products are able to achieve compliance for use in highly demanding oil and gas applications in accordance with NORSOK M-710, Edition 3. This standard sets out testing requirements – including ageing in seawater and distilled water – that verify a material’s suitability for long-term use in aggressive downhole and subsea environments.
Good for bearings, friction and wear
For applications such as bearings, where one part slides over another, there is often extreme wear. Thermoplastics work well in these applications, where low friction is crucial to reliable, low-maintenance operation.
Heat-resistant plastic materials
Façade Creations offers a wide range of high-performance plastics suitable for the most demanding environments, with long-term maximum usage temperatures of up to 300°C, depending on the application.
Application Examples for the Oil and Gas Industry
Electrical connectors
Made from a high-performance PEEK material.
Throughout the oil and gas production industry, the transportation of electricity is a key factor. This electricity is transmitted using a network of electrical connectors. These electrical connectors are subjected to an aggressive operational environment, as well as potentially high pressures and temperatures. Our PEEK-based materials offer the combination of electrical insulation, chemical resistance and thermal stability these components require.
Seals and back-up rings
Made from a high-performance PEEK material.
In the oil and gas industry, oil seals are used to prevent dust, dirt, water and other harmful substances from entering and damaging machinery. Seals are a vital component, helping to protect components such as tight-fitting ball, sleeve and roller bearings. It is vital to ensure the most appropriate material is used to produce seals, depending on the environment they will operate in, as different environments may require materials with different degrees of resistance to chemicals and temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions on Oil and Gas Plastic Material
Are Façade Creations products compliant for use in oil and gas applications?
We offer semi-finished products that are compliant for highly demanding oil and gas applications. Testing is performed according to NORSOK M-710, Edition 3.
Does Façade Creations guarantee material traceability?
Yes, Façade Creations guarantees traceability for every single order, so that the highest safety standards can be implemented.
What is the difference between testing with distilled water and seawater?
Both relevant international standards specify testing with distilled water, although using seawater might tend to get nearer to the real operating environment. Comparison ageing tests using both seawater and distilled water have not shown major differences between the two environments.
Is a list of NORSOK-qualified materials available?
There is no publicly available listing of qualified manufacturers or materials under a formal NORSOK qualification approval strategy, nor are there currently plans to introduce one.
