Skip to content

Durable Solution Against Abrasion in Production Facilities: Pexgol at YPF

Performance evaluation of Pexgol lining under extreme service conditions.

Estudo de Caso Nº

175

Cliente

YPF
Argentina

|

2018

Condições de Trabalho

Temperature: 75°C / 167°F | Pressure: 8 kg/cm² | Fluid components: Hydrocarbons and produced water from wells (with sand presence)

Solução Pexgol

Pex-lined elbow

Aplicação

Pex-lined reducing elbow in oil production facility – Abrasion

Comprimento

N/A

Categorias

Durable Solution Against Abrasion in Production Facilities: Pexgol at YPF

The Challenge

YPF, Argentina’s leading oil and gas exploration and production company, was facing recurring failures in various components of the Aguada Toledo 3 Production Facility (Bat-AT3), particularly in the pump discharge circuit.
The failures were identified in flow restriction areas such as pump discharge reducers, flow control valves, and orifice plates. These components were internally coated with epoxy layers ranging from 250 to 650 µm in thickness.

YPF’s internal studies identified two main deterioration mechanisms:

  • Flow-assisted corrosion, considered the most likely cause.
  • Localized corrosion due to occluded cells, caused by partial detachment of the internal epoxy lining.

Material loss was estimated at 7 to 9 mm of wall thickness per year under continuous operation, with damage concentrated in reducers and elbows. Considering that the 6” circuit and the 6” to 3” reducing elbow had a wall thickness of 7.11 mm (SCH 40 steel pipe), these failures posed a serious risk to system safety and operational continuity.

The Solution

To mitigate the issue, YPF proposed testing a carbon steel component internally lined with Pexgol to assess its performance under real operating conditions. A 6” x 3” reducing elbow connected to the discharge of one of the pumps was selected for this trial.

The component was manufactured and inspected at Golan’s facility, where the internal Pexgol lining was applied. Once installed and put into operation, the elbow remained in service for 7 years without damage, despite the severe operating conditions.

The implementation of the Pexgol lining proved to be a highly effective solution, eliminating previous failures and significantly extending the system’s service life—without costly maintenance or unplanned shutdowns. This case reinforces Pexgol’s reliability in critical applications where corrosion and abrasion are ongoing challenges.

Estudos de Caso Relacionados

Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Food Transport Pexgol vs HDPE

Marine Farms
Chile

 | 

2017
Improving the efficiency of salmon farming with the superior solution of Pexgol pipes.

Pexgol’s Pipe Solution Enhances Salmon Farming

Mowi
Chile

 | 

2021
Transforming water transportation with Pexgol technology

Pexgol’s Solution for CFE: A Leap in Durability and Efficiency

Comisión Federal de Electricidad
Mexico

 | 

2023
Water Extraction From Deep Wells (150 Meters)

Water Extraction from Wells

Andacollo Mine
Chile

 | 

2015
Pexgol technology can overcome challenges in shallow well applications, offering an efficient and cost-effective solution for leading companies in the agricultural industry.

Success in Agricultural Desalination: Water Supply Challenges

BerryMex
Mexico

 | 

2019
Case Study: Pexgol’s Solution at the Palm Oil Plant.

Efficiency and Durability in Handling Muddy Water

Industrial Aceitera del Casanare
Colombia

 | 

2023