Dow Introduces NEPTUNE™ Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System

Dow Introduces NEPTUNE™ Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System

-Sets new performance standards for subsea flow assurance insulation in offshore oil production pipelines

-Proprietary new chemistry enables a complete wet insulation with the widest temperature range available

-Simple, two-layer system designed for use in all pipeline applications simplifies the application process and reduces room for error

May 31, 2012 – Dow Oil & Gas announced the launch of the NEPTUNE™ Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System, a breakthrough technology specifically engineered to withstand the increasingly harsh conditions associated with subsea oil production, experienced in Africa. Dow Oil & Gas is proud to announce that the system is now commercially available for subsea architecture applications through Dow’s global qualified coater network, with line pipe and field joint applications to be available soon in Africa.

A simple, complete system designed for line pipe, field joint and subsea architecture applications from the wellhead to the delivery point, the NEPTUNE™ System outperforms existing subsea flow assurance wet insulation technologies, combining excellent thermal properties with the highest temperature performance end-to-end: from -40°C (-40°F) up to 160°C (320°F) during installation and use, at depths of up to 4,000 meters.

This new system allows for reaching wells that are becoming deeper and hotter, such as the case of subsea wells in offshore Africa. The higher reservoir temperatures need an insulation which can cope with this effectively, as the deep water is very cold, yet the depth of the wells below the earth’s crust means they experiences extreme heat. The NEPTUNE™ System will help to address and overcome the previous problems experienced in the region, as it serves as insulation against these extreme temperatures which can change abruptly.

“As subsea exploration efforts in the region require wells to be drilled deeper than ever before, the resulting rise in downhole temperature creates a need for reliable insulation that can effectively handle harsh conditions associated with this type of oil production,” said Antoine Samaha, commercial director Middle East & Africa, Dow Oil & Gas, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company. “The NEPTUNE system combines an ability to resist extreme temperatures with reliability, to create a technologically superior solution that builds on Dow’s extensive track record in the oil and gas industry.”

Designed in response to direct requests from offshore operators, the NEPTUNE System is the result of a Dow-led multi-million-dollar, multi-year research and development effort. It is based on an entirely new chemistry developed by Dow for this application: a proprietary, hybrid polyether thermoset. It has undergone full-scale production trials by globally recognized and respected flow assurance insulation system coaters and additionally, the material has been rigorously tested to ensure it meets operators’ stringent design requirements for deepwater oil production.

Compatible with current industry production and installation methods, the NEPTUNE Flow Assurance Insulation system is an easy, all-in-one system with just two layers:

NEPTUNE™ FBE Anti-Corrosion Coating, a fusion-bonded epoxy based on patented Dow resin technology
NEPTUNE™ Flow Assurance Insulation Coating, a proprietary, hybrid polyether thermoset material.
Competitive technologies can require up to seven layers. The dual-layer composition of the NEPTUNE System provides a distinct advantage by eliminating the need for a separate adhesive tie layer, simplifying the entire application process and reducing the potential for error.

“Our customers asked for an advanced flow assurance insulation system to withstand the increasingly harsh conditions they encounter in deepwater oil production, and we delivered,” said Larry Ryan, global general manager, Dow Oil & Gas. “NEPTUNE™ Technology builds on 25 years of success with Dow HYPERLAST™ technology, with more than 500 references worldwide, but now takes a giant step forward. The market knowledge, chemistry expertise and innovation capabilities of Dow – combined with the application expertise of the coaters with whom we have collaborated – have enabled us to deliver a flow assurance wet insulation solution with the widest temperature range available on the market today.”

NEPTUNE™ Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System
Installation method
Reel, S-lay, J-lay
Depth rating
at least 4,000 m
Subsea service temperature, °C
-40 to 160
Thermal conductivity under SST conditions†
0.152
Density (ASTM D792, 23°C)
1.1
Heat capacity (ASTM E1269, 0 to 160°C)
1.2 to 1.7
†160°C at 300 bar for 28 days


About Dow Oil & Gas
Dow Oil & Gas is committed to maximizing value for our customers by offering innovative, customized solutions tailored to the ever-evolving needs of the oil and gas industry. Backed by the proven resources of The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, Dow Oil & Gas offers advanced chemical innovation, intimate industry knowledge and exceptional service. More information can be found at www.DowOilandGas.com.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Dow in Africa
Dow established its first sales office in Africa more than 50 years ago. Today the company enjoys a growing commercial and manufacturing presence with 11 locations across the continent in Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Dow's growing presence in Africa demonstrates the company's commitment to the continent and aims to deliver industry leadership, technical innovation and expertise with a commitment to sustainability to help transform the region into a key player in the global chemicals industry. Dow is focusing all its efforts towards being an active social and community member and an employer and partner of choice on the continent. Through innovative and sustainable initiatives like the Habitat for Humanity project in Egypt and Osizweni Mobile Science lab in South Africa, Dow is playing a pivotal social and development role in the region. Dow serves approximately 700 customers across 38 countries in Africa. For more information about Dow in Africa, please visit www.dow.com/africa

For more information and resources on the NEPTUNE™ System, please visit www.dowflowassurance.com/neptune