ISO 23936-4:2024

Overview

ISO 23936-4:2024 sets out the general principles, requirements, and recommendations for assessing the stability of fibre-reinforced composite materials in oil and gas production environments, including lower carbon energy applications. Issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard focuses specifically on composite materials made from polymers (thermoplastics and thermosets) and reinforcing fibres, such as glass, carbon, and aramid, in the form of continuous fibres or woven fabrics.

The document provides standardized procedures for comparative testing of composite materials when used in critical oil and gas equipment, such as pipelines, piping, liners, and downhole tool components. While it addresses ageing, durability, and stability testing, it excludes certain areas such as rapid gas decompression blistering, coatings, compounded particulate, and short fibre-reinforced composites from its scope.

Key Topics

• Material System Assessment: Provides guidance for evaluating fibre-reinforced composite materials, focusing on polymers combined with reinforcing fibres or fabrics.
• Testing Procedures: Defines comparative testing methods across multiple levels, from unaged baseline properties (Level 1) to advanced long-term ageing (Level 4).
• Environmental Stability: Outlines procedures for assessing composite stability in aggressive oil and gas media, considering factors like exposure to chemicals, temperature, and duration.
• Traceability and Documentation: Specifies requirements for full traceability through the supply chain and comprehensive documentation, including material data reports and Certificates of Conformity (COC).
• Identification System: Introduces a systematic code for identifying fibre type, resin type, laminate construction, and processing methods for specimens and materials.
• Cautionary Guidance: Emphasizes that properties reported for comparative materials testing may differ from real-world performance in finished equipment and recommends application-specific validation.

Applications

• Material Selection for Oil and Gas Equipment: Supports engineers, designers, and operators in selecting suitable fibre-reinforced composites for use in oil and gas production environments, including lower carbon energy applications.
• Design of Pipelines and Downhole Tools: Provides standardized procedures for evaluating materials used in non-metallic pipelines, liners, and tool components exposed to challenging media.
• Supplier and Manufacturer Assurance: Establishes material data requirements and quality control procedures crucial for suppliers and manufacturers aiming for compliance and reliability in the petroleum industry.
• Long-term Performance Evaluation: Enables attempts at service life estimation and prediction of composite degradation under varied operational conditions, guiding maintenance and replacement strategies.

Related Standards

• ISO 23936 Series: This standard is part of the broader ISO 23936 series on non-metallic materials in contact with oil and gas production media. It harmonizes with other parts that cover elastomers, thermoplastics, and general principles.
• ISO 15156 Series: Complements the ISO 15156 series, which deals with metallic materials in sour (H2S-containing) environments, by focusing on non-metallic and composite alternatives.
• Testing Standards Cited: References key international testing standards, including ISO 527-4 and ISO 527-5 (tensile properties of fibre-reinforced composites), ISO 14126 (compressive properties), and various ASTM and EN standards for characterization and quality assurance.

By following ISO 23936-4:2024, stakeholders in the oil, gas, and energy sectors ensure consistent, reliable assessment of composite material stability. This leads to better-informed material choices, improved safety, longer-lasting equipment, and enhanced operational efficiency in demanding production environments.

Keywords: ISO 23936-4, fibre-reinforced composites, oil and gas composite testing, composite material stability, non-metallic equipment, oil and gas pipelines, composite liners, quality control, composite material selection, international standard for composites.