From exploratory surveys to the on-site wireline services at drill bore locations, work in the oil and gas sector occurs in some of the planet’s most diverse and challenging environments. For equipment to meet the challenges of the work, suitable materials are essential. Plastic offers versatility in material type and makes for strong, reliable construction, especially when paired with metal.
At Reliant Worldwide Plastics, our team understands the challenges of designing and operating systems such as the wireline at an oilfield. Let our experts provide guidance about plastics applications in the oil and gas field.
Wireline Challenges in Oil and Gas
In oil and gas, a wireline maneuvers equipment up and down in a wellbore to gather data about conditions for the well or for placing perforating gun systems used to create fractures. Wireline systems are critical elements in successful on-site oil and gas operations, but conditions can prove to be challenging. Some of the issues include extreme temperatures, highly corrosive environments, challenging tension profiles, and length periods of hardware use.
The oil and gas industry must rely on advanced engineering and materials selection to address these challenges. Plastics play a central role in supporting wireline engineering services and perforating systems.
Plastics for Oil and Gas Exploration
Working with an injection molding manufacturer can streamline the creation of final products, including perforating systems. Individual components intended for downhole use are simpler to engineer and execute in plastic. What makes today’s advanced materials the right fit for this space?
- Appropriate material properties: Modern thermoplastics and advanced composites exhibit temperature and corrosion resistance and are suitable for specific wellbore applications.
- Narrow tolerance: Wellbores are not forgiving spaces, and the effectiveness of tools such as wireline gun systems depends on the appropriate fit.
- Light weight: Reducing overall weight places less strain on wireline systems and contributes to a safer and more efficient working environment.
- High volume support: Oil and gas operators may consume some parts extensively, making rapid resupply essential.
Plastic Applications in the Oil and Gas Sector
With suitable material properties, plastics have many uses in today’s oilfields and gas wells. Plastics can even replace metal in some applications. Fundamental equipment, like a perforation tool, still relies on metal due to explosive charges in the equipment. However, plastic components are also commonly used throughout these frac gun perforating systems. Other applications include:
- Seals and gaskets in wireline systems
- Valve seats
- Pipeline connectors
- Bushings
- Frac balls
- Pump impellers and more
Plastic applications are available at every stage, not just at the well. Midstream applications, such as storage and transport, also use plastics similarly. Likewise, plastics, such as gas pump handles, are found even in downstream locations.
Quality Control and Strategic Sourcing
At Reliant, our mission is to support our customers through advanced engineering, high-volume manufacturing, and excellent service. Several elements of our expertise are particularly valuable to our oil and gas industry partners.
We maintain our commitment to quality control across the board. We invest extensive effort in pre-manufacturing design and the vetting of mold tooling, we ensure projects are set up for success. After manufacturing, keen attention to detail ensures that critical components meet your thresholds for safety and reliability.
We can also support sourcing advanced thermoplastic materials and the appropriate inventory staging. Let our team take the hassle out of planning for production and forecasting to avoid stockouts at the tool crib.
Achieve Consistent Outcomes With Reliant Worldwide Plastics
The oil and gas industry doesn’t take days off. Operations continue around the world and throughout the year. High-durability materials applied to well-engineered designs are central to ensuring that work maintains the extraction and delivery of crucial resources. Access to plastics that can resist extreme temperatures and working conditions is essential to keeping teams well-stocked with the necessary solutions. With Reliant Plastics, you can tap a trusted team to support your goals.
From sourcing the specific raw plastic materials you require to supporting injection molding projects for seals, shielding, housings and more, Reliant provides an end-to-end service. Find the support your organization needs to improve its supply chain and deploy the toughest possible products into the field. Chat with us today to learn more.