A Flexible Solution for Formation Water UnderDemanding Conditions

A solution designed to operate safely and reliably under high temperatures and demanding installation conditions.

Case Study Nº

194 Customer

Pluspetrol

Argentina

2026

Working Conditions

Operating temperature: 72.5°C / 162.5 °F | Operating pressure: 9 bar | Flow rate: 1,000 m³/day | Fluid: Water with hydrocarbons (<2%)

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol 160 mm, Class 24

Application

Formation Water Transport

Lenght

1.050 m / 3444 ft

The Challenge

In 2026, Pluspetrol needed to develop a new pipeline for the transport of formation water at its La Calera process plant in Argentina. The application required transporting 1,000 m³/day of water with less than 2% hydrocarbons, operating at a temperature of 72.5°C and a pressure of 9 bar.

The project conditions represented a signiﬁcant challenge. On one hand, the construction complexity of the terrain required a pipe capable of easily adapting to the topography and simplifying installation tasks. On the other hand, the high operating temperatures required a robust solution that could ensure continuous and reliable long-term performance.

In addition, the project had to be executed within a very tight schedule, while maintaining high safety and quality standards throughout the entire installation process.

The Solution

To meet these requirements, Pluspetrol selected a 1,050-meter pipeline of 160 mm Class 24 Pexgol PE-Xa pipe, especially suitable for high-temperature formation water applications.

The combination of the material’s inherent ﬂexibility with its excellent thermal and chemical resistance enabled an efﬁcient installation, even in areas with construction restrictions. The system was complemented with Victaulic Style 905 double mechanical connectors, providing a safe and reliable joint for the project’s operating conditions.

Among the main beneﬁts valued by the client were the fast installation, ease of handling due to the pipe’s low weight, the possibility of using long sections and transporting the pipe in coils, as well as the material’s ﬂexibility and long service life. These characteristics helped reduce installation time, simplify on-site maneuvers, and ensure reliable operation under demanding temperature conditions and the presence of hydrocarbons.