Overview
ISO/PAS 16846:2025 - Oil and gas industries including lower carbon energy - Thermoplastics lined tubing for wells - specifies requirements for downhole thermoplastics lined tubing (TLT) used in oil and gas operations. The document covers configuration, materials, manufacturing, inspection and testing, documentation, marking, packaging, transportation, storage and use. It applies where TLT is in contact with media related to exploration and production, including multiphase flow and water injection, and is suitable for a range of thermoplastics such as PE, PE-RT, PE-UHMW, PE-X, PP, PA-U, PK, PPS, PVDF, PEEK.
Key Topics and Requirements
- TLT configuration and pipe ends: Defined geometry, connection types and coupling considerations for downhole use.
- Materials requirements: Criteria for backing pipe, polymer liner, CB (coupling bonding) rings and coated couplings; selection guidance for thermoplastic materials meeting relevant design specifications.
- Manufacturing processes: Selection of new or used backing pipe, threading, mechanical-fit or cement-backed lining methods, manufacture/installation of CB rings and couplings, and traceability practices.
- Inspection & testing: Detailed inspection scope including surface/dimensional checks, straightness, drift, hydrostatic testing, bonding strength, rapid decompression and combined loading tests; lot, batch and type testing approaches and acceptance criteria.
- Documentation & traceability: Required purchaser and manufacturer documentation, marking, packaging, transport and storage instructions to maintain product integrity.
- Use and application guidance: Annexes provide material characteristics, gas permeability and bonding strength test methods, plus guidance on TLT use in wells.
Applications and Who Uses This Standard
- Practical applications include installation and operation of polymer-lined tubing for corrosion resistance, chemical compatibility, and reduced scaling in downhole environments (production tubing, injection lines, retrofit lining).
- Primary users:
- TLT manufacturers and fabricators
- Oil and gas operators and well-service companies
- Subsea and downhole equipment designers and engineers
- Quality, inspection and testing laboratories
- Procurement, asset integrity and regulatory teams
Related Standards
Normative references cited in ISO/PAS 16846:2025 include:
- ISO 472 - Plastics vocabulary (terms and definitions)
- ISO 2859-1 - Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes (AQL)
- ISO 10405 - Care and use of casing and tubing
- ISO 10893-3 - NDT of steel tubes (flux leakage testing)
- ISO 11960 - Steel pipes for casing and tubing for wells
- ISO 13678 - Evaluation of thread compounds for petroleum industry
ISO/PAS 16846:2025 is essential for stakeholders specifying, manufacturing or verifying thermoplastics lined tubing for wells and supports compliant, safe deployment of polymer-lined solutions in oil, gas and lower-carbon energy wells.