Use of titanium alloys for dynamic risers: a literature review

摘要

The main topic of this short literature review is to describe the material related aspects concerning the production and purpose of flexible titanium risers for offshore oil and gas production. Metallurgy and alloying of titanium are briefly introduced. The review concentrates on the materials properties that are relevant for the intended use in marine environment. The focus is put on (alpha)+(beta) Ti-alloys, because earlier investigations have shown that this alloy family is the most suitable one for this purpose. Further topics which are taken into account are welding processes for titanium, weld properties and aspects of the associated weld defects as well. This literature review has been carried out at GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH within the framework of the project 'Titanium Risers for Deepwater Developments (contract nr. OG/175/95), supported by the THERMIE-JOULE Programme of the European Commission. The project consortium is formed by Stolt Comex Seaway Ltd. (UK), Seaflex AS (Norway) and GKSS (Germany). (orig.)