Replacement of Corroded Pipeline in Oil &Gas: Pexgol Solution in Argentina

Efficient solution for transporting produced water with hydrocarbons under demanding conditions.

Case Study Nº

191 Customer

Petróleos Sudamericanos

Argentina

2025

Working Conditions

Temperature: 40°C / 104°F | Pressure: 10 kg/cm² | Fluid components: Water and hydrocarbons

Pexgol Pipes

Pexgol 160 mm, class 15

Application

Formation water transport

Lenght

1140 m / 3740 ft

The Challenge

Petróleos Sudamericanos, an Argentine company focused on hydrocarbon exploration and production, faced an operational challenge at the Catriel Oeste ﬁeld related to the transport of produced water containing hydrocarbons.

The existing infrastructure showed critical deterioration due to accelerated internal corrosion caused by the chemical nature of the ﬂuid. This condition led to recurring failures in the pipeline, requiring welding repairs every six months. As a result, unplanned shutdowns occurred along with a continuous increase in maintenance costs, compromising the operational continuity of the system.

The project required transporting water with hydrocarbons at a temperature of 40°C and a pressure of 10 kg/cm² over a 1,140-meter pipeline using 160 mm (Class 15) pipe, under typical Oil & Gas operating conditions where system reliability is critical.

The Solution

To address this issue, a Pexgol (PE-Xa) piping system was implemented, selected for its high chemical resistance and its ability to operate reliably in aggressive environments. The solution eliminated the primary failure mechanism associated with corrosion, signiﬁcantly extending the system’s service life and reducing the need for corrective maintenance.

The material’s ﬂexibility and supply in long continuous lengths enabled a fast and efﬁcient installation, minimizing the number of joints and potential failure points. The project execution was completed in just two working days, including pipe laying, installation of four mechanical couplings at critical points, and hydrostatic testing to ensure system integrity.

As a result, the operation achieved higher reliability, reduced operational costs, and eliminated unplanned shutdowns, positioning Pexgol as an efﬁcient and long-term solution for ﬂuid transport applications in the Oil & Gas industry.