en.Wedoany.com Reported - The University of Queensland (UQ) and the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC, Sydney) have jointly developed a more durable sucker rod guide (SRG) for Oilfield Piping Systems (OPS, Brisbane).
Sucker rods are critical components in artificial lift systems for the oil and gas industry, particularly for sucker rod pumps in oil wells. The sucker rod guide protects the rod by reducing metal-to-metal contact between the rod and the tubing. Current guides struggle to prevent premature tubing failure, especially in high-temperature environments.
ACM CRC is designing, developing, and commercializing a new composite material and design for rotating and reciprocating SRGs suitable for high-temperature well conditions. The SRG is a wear component installed on the sucker rod string. The primary outcome of the project is a "best-in-class" high-temperature composite sucker rod wear guide.
Tony Chapman, Operations Manager at OPS and Industry Partner Project Lead, stated that they plan to leverage proprietary and patented composite overmolding methods developed in collaboration with UQ to identify new SRG designs and expand the wear guide product portfolio to include SRGs for high-temperature applications. The high-temperature guide will be a key addition to the portfolio, meeting both local market demand and overseas demand through new export opportunities.
Natural gas is regarded as a key transition fuel for the foreseeable future, and there is strong demand for products that extend well life and increase productivity. Temperature and wear requirements for SRGs are also increasing, demanding greater durability.
The new thermoplastic matrix composite wear material being developed by ACM CRC will be capable of withstanding the harsh service conditions of deeper and more complex geological formations. The development process itself will also be refined to meet mass production requirements.
Dr. Luigi Vandi, Deputy Director of the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) and UQ Research Lead, explained that the material will be specifically designed for mass production of composites via injection overmolding. The compound will have optimized flow and solidification characteristics to improve part compatibility and cycle times during the mixing process.
Chapman noted that this means the process can be automated and improved, making it suitable for true mass production. It is expected to reduce labor input and cycle time by at least 50%. They will seek to implement these improvements in OPS's other guide manufacturing operations, thereby amplifying potential gains.
The improved SRGs and advanced manufacturing processes resulting from this project are expected to open new domestic and international markets. Luke Preston, CEO of ACM CRC, stated that the project's outputs are critical for upstream oil and gas operations, with sucker rods being key components of oil wells. The high-temperature well repair and drilling market, due to its deep and complex reservoirs, will also benefit. The natural gas industry, as a transitional energy source, requires durable and efficient infrastructure.
