Joining Composite Pipes Using Hybrid Heat-Activated Coupling and Adhesive Bonding

Deepwater activities are the future of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry. Huge reserves have been located in the Gulf of Mexico as well as off the Coast of West Africa and Brazil. The development of floating production platforms and vessels offers challenges to the facilities engineer who must consider new materials to meet stringent topsides weight limitations. A critical technology for facilities piping in offshore platforms is joining technique. This paper discusses the development of a hybrid joining approach by using heat-activated coupling and adhesive bonding. The technique procedure is presented via specimen fabrication. A total of eleven coupled specimens are prepared and evaluated using standardized internal pressure tests. The feasibility of this new joining technique in offshore piping is discussed based on the internal pressure test results.