NORSOK

NORSOK

The new compliance qualifies not only the resin, but also—mandatory in this qualification process—the process and machinery used in conversion of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) into semi-finished and finished products, offering the highest compliance ranking of the supply chain to the market. It is a major accomplishment as the industry prepares for future ISO 23936-1 standards. All tested materials passed the various NORSOK M-710 criteria, which cover such aspects as swell, Young’s Modulus and visual inspection. Based on these results, the qualifying institute, ‘Element™ Materials Technology,’ was able to certify that extruded PEEK plate, PEEK rod and PEEK tube are resistant to 10% H2S sour gas at temperatures up to 200 °C. “NORSOK M-710 Rev3 has not yet been released, and ISO 23936-1 is being revised, so we exposed our PEEK material to the most severe conditions, as specified in the latest draft versions of NORSOK M-710 Rev3 and ISO 23936-2:2011. Machined test bars were exposed to 10% H2S in 100% gas phase, conditions that are five times more severe than the sour gas phase described in NORSOK M-710 rev2.” NORSOK and ISO standards The NORSOK standards were developed by the Norwegian petroleum industry to ensure safety, add value, and improve cost effectiveness of the industry’s developments and operations. Standard M-710 defines requirements for critical non-metallic sealing, seat and backup materials for permanent use subsea. The standard also applies to topside valves in critical gas systems. The ISO 23936 (petroleum and natural gas industries – non-metallic materials in contact with media related to oil and gas production) standards are issued by the International Organization for Standardization. They are separated into several sections: ISO 23936-1 (Thermoplastics), -2 (Elastomers), -3 (Thermosets) -4 (Fibre reinforced composites) and -5 (Other materials).