Fpm Material Development for Rapid Gas Decompression Resistance

Elastomer O-ring seals are used in the oil and gas industry under very hostile environment and the complication of extraction conditions (deep drilling) leads to more severe requirement of parts (higher pressure, higher temperature, etc..).

Elastomers, due to their relatively high gas solubility, and to their ‘multi-phase’ structure (filled compounds with different ingredients) are particularly exposed to Rapid Gas Decompression damages. The high temperature and sour gas make the situation worse by reducing the strength of the rubber.

In this paper, firstly, current RGD-testing standards were compared; tomography method to characterize and grade rubber compound failures after RGD was also presented. Then, important parameters to take into account when developing a RGD-resistant rubber compound were discussed.

In our study, two work paths were specifically studied :

-Improvement of rubber reinforcement, with the optimization of the filler system

-Curing system optimization, in order to improve mechanical properties and consequently RGD resistance

Working on these two items allowed us to develop a FPM compound which passes the last upgrade of RGD standard, one of the most severe current RGD standards (400 bars, 127 bars/min).