Oilfield pipe protectors are a crucial yet often overlooked piece of equipment. While they may seem small when looking at the overall scale of the operation, they actually help improve on-site efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. These components are designed to protect pipes and their threads from getting damaged too heavily due to their usage and other external elements. Some of the benefits they can provide include:
Damage Prevention
Since pipes constantly transfer water, oil, and gasses across different systems, they are often the first ones to break down during oilfield operations. Companies need to ensure that pipes and pipe threads remain structurally sound in order to prevent downtime and hazards caused by leaks, spillages, hazards and other potential failures that may result from worn or damaged threads.
This is where pipe protectors come in. Preventing damage from corrosion and prolonged exposure to abrasive environments and extreme temperatures is one of their primary purposes. However, they can also protect the pipes from scratches, lacerations, and dents caused by poor transportation, storage, assembly, disassembly, and installation.
Pipe Lifespan Extension
Generally speaking, oil fields have a life span of 15 to 30 years, but can often last for 50 years if the site has an abundant deposit. Oil field pipes can last for 50 to 70 years, as well, especially if they’re maintained well. Knowing this, it’s important to ensure that your site’s pipelines are well-cared for, and the best way to go about this is to utilize pipe and thread protectors to keep them safe from damage, corrosion, and other external factors.
Keeping pipes in pristine condition helps your company from making untimely repairs and even replacements for broken pipelines. Not only does this cost money, but they also jeopardize your productivity, as maintenance work can cause an operation to slow down and, in extreme circumstances, maybe even come to a standstill.
Promotion of a Safety Culture
Investing in high-quality pipe protectors and implementing regular, in-depth maintenance work demonstrates an oil company’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees and the communities it operates in. This reduces the likelihood of accidents, as well as enhances the overall reputation and credibility of the industry.
Minimized Environmental Impact
Oilfields are often located in diverse and environmentally sensitive areas. As such, leaks or spillage due to damaged pipes can have devastating consequences for the environment, wildlife, and local communities. Pipe protectors play a crucial role in minimizing the environmental impact of oil field operations by reducing the risk brought about by these hazards.
On average, there are at least 300 major oil pipeline leaks recorded per year, and these have caused major repercussions to the environment, people’s health, and funds lost in repairs and compensation. In addition to keeping your site productive, using quality pipe protectors can help you from being added to that statistic and contribute to sustainable oil and gas operations in the long run.
Don’t Skimp on Pipe Protection for Your Oilfields
The purpose of protectors in maintaining the integrity, safety, and functionality of your oilfield pipes cannot be overstated. By recognizing the critical role of pipe protectors and prioritizing their use and maintenance, oil and gas companies can mitigate risks involved in oilfield operations. Find out more about the importance of pipe protectors by reaching out to product manufacturers today!