American Petroleum Institute

Qualification of Spoolable Reinforced Plastic Line Pipe - FIRST EDITION
 N RP 15S

Annotation

This Recommended Practice (RP) provides guidelines for the design, manufacture, qualification and application of spoolable reinforced plastic line pipe in oilfield flowline applications, including transport of multiphase fluids, hydrocarbon gases, hydrocarbon liquids and water. Such products typically consist of a continuous plastic liner reinforced with either glass reinforced epoxy—Spoolable Composite Pipe (SCP), or aramid fibers—Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP). They are continuous flowline systems capable of being reeled for storage, transport and installation. For offshore use, additional requirements may apply.

This document contains recommendations on material selection, product qualification, and pressure rating. Quality control tests, hydrostatic tests, dimensions, material properties, physical properties, and minimum performance requirements are included.

The qualification tests in the RP are designed around non-metallic reinforcements, exhibiting time dependent mechanical properties characterized by regression analysis. Metallic reinforcement is, therefore, specifically excluded.

The RP applies typically to spoolable reinforced plastic flowline systems up to 6 in. (150 mm) diameter, pressures of up to 5000 psi (34.5 MPa) and maximum temperatures of 200°F (93°C), although the principles described in this document can be extended to apply to products outside this range.

The RP is confined to pipe and end fittings or couplers, and does not relate to other system components. Where other system components (elbows, tees, valves etc.) are of conventional construction they will be governed by applicable codes and practices.

The RP covers pipe systems where the pressure and thermal loading is static or cyclic, with loads resulting from typical installation methods. It does not cover systems that are subjected to other types of static or dynamic loads.