In the last decades, geosynthetics have acquired considerable popularity with various construction fields including oil & gas industry. Their use is associated with performance improvement and decrease in the project cost of construction and service. This article considers main types of geosynthetics and their use in oil & gas project construction.
Contents
Geosynthetics types
Geosynthetics types
Geotextile. Synthetic fabrics used for separation, filtering, drainage and reinforcement. Geotextile is represented by Geospan GT PP, Geospan PET and Geospan BB in Geospan range.
Geomembranes. Impermeable synthetic films used for waterproofing such as Geospan GT PP M and Geospan GT PP WA.
Geomats. Materials in the form of nets used for soil and asphalt course reinforcement.
For example, Geospan AS and Geospan SL.
Geogrids.Geocell materials used for soil stabilization.
Geogrid is represented by Geospan GC (GCP).
Geosynthetics use
Soil reinforcement and stabilisation
Woven geotextiles and geogrids are widely used in soil reinforcement while constructing pipelines, roads and drilling sites. These materials allow considerable increase in soil bearing capacity and decrease in its mobility, particularly important under permafrost and swampy conditions.
Waterproofing of reservoirs and underground storages
Geomembranes are used for waterproofing reservoirs and underground storages, preventing oil and gas leakage into environment. Their high strength and resistance to chemical impacts make them irreplaceable under the conditions.
Protection against erosion and land slides
Geogrids are used to protect embankments and banks against erosion. They prevent soil wash-out and facilitate its containment, which is particularly important for building oil pipelines and gas pipelines in the mountains.
Drainage systems
Thermally bonded geotextile and geocomposites are used in drainage systems ecacuating water from construction sites. They secure efficient drainage, preventing water accumulation and reducing pressure on underground structures.
Connecting roads
Geosynthetics are widely used in construction of connecting roads to oil & gas fields and refineries. Woven geotextiles are used to reinforce road pavements preventing its settlement and extending the road service life. These materials allow cost cutting in terms of the road infrastructure construction and service, particularly apparent under complicated soil and climate conditions.
Examples of geosynthetics use
Oil pads and wellsite arrangement
Geosynthetics are actively used in construction and arrangement of oil pads. Woven geotextile is used to reinforce drilling sites and connecting roads, as well as in arranging drainage systems around the wells to prevent water accumulation and soil erosion.
Pipelines
Geosynthetics play a key role in strengthening trenches and stabilizing soils during pipeline laying. Geotextiles aid in preventing pipeline deformation due to soil migration, while geomembranes secure additional protection against corrosion and leakages.
Oil & gas storage reservoirs
Geomembranes are widely used in waterproofing of reservoirs and underground storages. This enables prevention of oil and gas leakage into the soil and underground waters, particularly important for ecocatastrophe prevention.
Oil & gas refining facilities
As far as oil & gas refining sites are concerned, geosynthetics are used in construction of stable foundations under heavy equipment and installations. Geotextiles and geomats allow proper load distribution and soil settlement prevention, securing structure stability.
Coastal and offshore installations
Geosynthetics are widely used in construction of coastal and offshore installations such as jetties and platforms. Volumetric geogrids are used for erosion protection of shorelines, while geomembranes aid in soil reinforcement and structure stability arrangements under conditions of high humidity and stirring soil.
Economic value
Geosynthetics use allows considerable reduction of oil & gas infrastructure construction and service costs. According to some assessments, the saving may amount to 15% to 28% thanks to decrease in construction time and the volume of earthwork as well as increase in structure durability.
Conclusions
Geosynthetics use in oil & gas infrastructure construction is a promising development securing higher reliability and cost effectiveness of construction processes. Woven geotextile, geomembranes, volumetric geogrids enable solving complex engineering tasks and securing long-term operation of facilities under harsh environmental conditions.
