700 Downhole Tubular Coatings &

Linings

Abstract
In this section, there is general information about coatings and linings—selecting,
purchasing, handling, installing, and operating guidelines—drawn from field experi-
ence, industry publications, and vendors. Internal coatings and linings are two
choices for preventing corrosion in the steel base metal of downhole equipment.
Internal coatings enhance the flow of fluids and may help prevent the build up of
paraffin. Linings can salvage tubing.
The purpose of a coating or lining for downhole equipment influences both its selec-
tion and the means of achieving the desired performance. Connections are an impor-
tant consideration. For downhole tubing in oil and injection wells, the American
Petroleum Industry's (API) eight-round connections are commonplace, coated
routinely, and difficult to install holiday free
A high-integrity internal coating may be more difficult to achieve on premium
connections and typically requires more intensive evaluation and attention.
Consider selecting connections designed specifically for IPC and lined tubing. See
also Section 120 of this manual—for information on inspections and inspectors,
including specific procedures for downhole tubing—and the Quick Reference
Guide—for contacting Company's coating specialists, who are a primary resource
for these specialty coatings and linings.

Contents Page

710 Coated Tubing Versus Linings 700-3

711 Wells Suitable for Coating or Lining
720 Descriptions 700-4
721 Coatings
722 Linings
723 Connections
730 Selection 700-10
731 Economics

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732 General Guidelines

740 Application 700-12
741 Steps in Application
742 Holiday-free Coated Tubing
743 Used Tubing
750 Handling Coated or Lined Tubing 700-13
751 Coated Tubing
752 Lined Tubing
760 Installation 700-16
761 Coated Tubing and Accessories
762 Guidelines for Installing IPC Accessories
763 Guidelines for Installing Lined Tubing
770 Guidelines for Well Operation 700-19
780 References 700-21

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710 Coated Tubing Versus Linings

Coated tubing, commonly called internally plastic-coated (IPC) tubing, has liquid
or powder coating applied to the inside diameter (ID) to a thickness of 5- to 30-mils
dry film thickness (DFT).
The coated surface reduces the frequency of corrosion-related failures by a factor of
five (average). IPCs limit damage to local areas, avoid expensive fishing jobs, and
increase the percentage of salvageable tubing.
Note Fishing jobs refers to retrieving parted tubing.
Plastic-coated tubing may also reduce rig time. Corrosion can thin the walls of
uncoated tubing so badly that multiple parting failures occur when tubing is pulled
during workovers.
One hundred percent holiday-free coated tubing adds about ten percent to the cost
of a coating project but is justified for the following:
• Waterflood, water-disposal, and CO2 wells
• Corrosive services when anticipating long life and expensive rework
Lined tubing has much thicker internal-corrosion barriers which, with one excep-
tion, are physically inserted into the tubing. The exception is cement lining which is
spun centrifugally on the ID surface. Linings offer truly holiday-free systems.

711 Wells Suitable for Coating or Lining

The following types of wells are suitable for coated or lined tubing:
Wells that produce a separate water phase. At 25 to 50 percent watercut, a well
usually becomes corrosive.
Note Watercut is the percentage of water to total fluids produced, such as oil
plus water.
Marginal wells. Wells in these circumstances may not justify a workover. While
installing a coated tubing string may allow depletion of reserves, an uncoated string
may fail before reserves are depleted.
Note A succession of joints of tubing makes a string of tubing.
Waterflood or water-disposal wells.
Gas-condensate and high GOR (gas/oil ratio) wells. Gas wells are usually corro-
sive, particularly when producing connate water.
Note Connate water is defined as water trapped in a rock matrix.
Gas-lift wells with high-watercut. The well is especially susceptible to corrosion
if the gas contains carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide.
Note Gas-lift wells are those into which we inject gas to lift the oil out of the
reservoir.

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Offshore wells. Wells located in remote or offshore areas make workover and
chemical treatment expensive. The cost of a coated string is usually a fraction of the
cost of a well or workover.
☞ Caution Because the constant rubbing damages the coating/lining, wells using
sucker-rod pumps for artificial lift are not typically considered candidates for coat-
ings or linings.

720 Descriptions
All coatings are available as 100 percent defect (holiday) free; however, damage
may occur during handling, installing, and well operations. For maximum corrosion
protection, coated tubing may need a suitable corrosion inhibitor.

721 Coatings
Thin-film coatings are generally 5 to 9 mils DFT; thick-film coatings generally
10 to 30 mils DFT. See Figure 700-1.

Fig. 700-1 Properties of Coatings

Chemistry Type Thickness (mils)
Phenolic Liquid 5–9
Modified Phenolic Liquid 5–9
Epoxy-Phenolic Liquid 5–9
Epoxy Liquid 8–15
Epoxy Powder 12–20
Epoxy-Cresol-Novolac Powder 12–20
Nylon Powder 12–25

Phenolics
The Company has the longest history with phenolic coatings.
Advantages:
• Resistant to chemical attack (from pH 2 to pH 12)
• Withstand temperatures up to 300°F or higher
Disadvantages:
• Brittleness which limits their usefulness in preventing corrosion
• Limited DFT; not to exceed 9 mils DFT as brittleness worsens
• Gas-decompression problems, especially above 7,000 psi and if the coating is thick
• Susceptibility to mechanical damage from hitting or bending the pipe

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Uses:
• As a primer under other thicker, more flexible coatings
• In high-temperature environments
Note Phenolics may be the only available coating material that can withstand
very high temperatures.
• Primarily for flow enhancement
☞ Caution When using phenolics for corrosion control, consider a corrosion-
inhibitor-injection program to protect the steel in areas of coating damage.

Modified Phenolics
Modified phenolics were developed to overcome the blistering of phenolics in high-
pressure gas wells. Decompressing high-pressure gas caused straight phenolics to
blister because the gas could not escape from the coating fast enough. Modified
phenolics contain calcium silicate to enable them to outgas more quickly.
Advantages:
• More resistant to decompression damage than straight phenolics
• High temperature, chemical, and H2S/CO2 resistance similar to the straight
phenolics
Disadvantages:
• Brittleness

Epoxy Phenolics
Adding epoxy to the phenolics reduces the brittleness of the coating.
Advantages:
• Improved flexibility
• Improved alkali resistance
• Temperature resistant to about 250°F (some brands, even higher)
Disadvantages:
• Reduced temperature and chemical resistance
• Reduced acid resistance
• Susceptible to mechanical damage or defects from handling, installation, and
operations such as wirelining
☞ Caution Consider applying corrosion inhibitors to protect steel exposed by
damaged coatings.

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Modified Epoxies
Two types of modified epoxies are discussed below: powder-applied and
cresol-novolac.
Powder-applied epoxies. Powder-applied epoxies are more flexible and tougher
than liquid-applied epoxies, which are being phased out in the industry.
Advantages:
• Temperature limit of about 150–200°F
• Good chemical resistance to both acids and alkalis
Disadvantages:
• Somewhat brittle
• Corrosion inhibitors necessary if primarily for corrosion control
Cresol-novolac-modified epoxy. Adding cresol-novolac to epoxy results in
cresol-novolac-modified epoxy or epoxy-cresol novolac.
To optimize overall performance, vendors have varied the amount of cresol-novolac
for chemical resistance and flexibility. The propensity for mechanical damage may
limit this coating's usefulness in service.
Advantages:
• Greater chemical resistance than straight epoxies
• Temperature resistant to approximately 250°F
Disadvantages:
• Brittleness increases in relationship to increased chemical resistance

Nylon
Nylon is a relatively new coating for downhole tubing and accessories. A thermo-
plastic, rather than the thermoset of most IPCs, nylon has superior flexibility.
Advantages:
• Easy to apply
• One hundred percent holiday free
• Good chemical resistance up to about 180°F
• Very flexible and durable
Disadvantages:
• Extremely poor resistance to damage from wire-line tools
• Deterioration from acidizing when HCI above 15 percent or for extended
periods
Uses:
• Excellent for a low-temperature line pipe (small diameter) in corrosive service

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722 Linings
Linings are holiday-free systems and have thicker internal corrosion barriers than
coatings. Except for cement, which is spun centrifugally on the ID surface, all
linings are physically inserted into the tubing.
The four lining materials presently available are cement, fiber-glass, PVC, and poly-
ethylene. Suppliers are also investigating other materials such as carbon fiber. See
Figure 700-2.

Fig. 700-2 Properties of Linings

Lining Thickness (mils)
Cement 150–210
Fiberglass 60–80
PVC 60–80
Polyethylene 130–150

Cement
Cement lining has been available for many years.
Advantages:
• Cost effective
• Resists chemicals
• Withstands normal handling and installation
• Tolerates wireline work
Disadvantages:
• At a thickness of 150 to 210 mils, cement causes a significant reduction of the
tubing ID.
• Acids (HCl and mud acid) can damage cement.
Note Special additives are available to improve the acid resistance of cement.
• The weight of the cement limits the depth at which it can be used, with a prac-
tical limit of about 10,000 feet.
• For wells between 7,000 and 10,000 feet deep, the weight of the cement can
influence tubing selection.
• The temperature limit is about 300°F, primarily because of the plastic inserts
installed in the connections.
• Availability may be a problem in remote areas.
Uses:
• Holiday-free service in injection wells or non-rod-pumped producing wells

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• Good choice for salvaging used tubing

Fiberglass
Fiberglass-lined tubing is made by inserting a fiberglass tube of an aromatic amine-
cured epoxy inside the steel tube and then filling the annular space between the two
with cement grout. The resulting liner is about 60 to 80 mils thick.
Advantages:
• Holiday-free service
• Chemical resistance up to a maximum operating temperature of 350°F
Disadvantages:
• Some ID reduction
• Additional restrictions at flares on tubing ends
Uses:
• Primarily in injection wells
• Good service in non-rod-pumped producing wells
• Good choice for salvaging used tubing

PVC
PVC-lined tubing is similar to fiberglass-lined tubing, with either a cement grout or
an adhesive between the PVC and the steel tube. The thickness of the liner is 60 to
80 mils.
Advantages:
• Holiday free
Disadvantages:
• ID reduction
• Unsuitable for gas wells (the risk of liner collapse from gas permeation)
• Unsuitable with solvents (such as paraffin cutting agents)
Uses:
• Most suited to water injection wells up to about 150°F
• Good choice for salvaging used tubing

Polyethylene
Polyethylene-lined tubing is a recent development and has little proven field experi-
ence. The polyethylene liner is swaged down and pushed or pulled through the
tubing. It then re-expands into the tubing, leaving the polyethylene liner in compres-
sion. The end of the liner is molded to fit within the connection J area. The coating
industry is addressing concerns about gas permeation, softening at maximum
service temperature, and connection integrity.

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Check with the CRTC's coating specialists (listed in the Quick Reference Guide)
for the latest information on the status of polyethylene linings.
Advantages:
• Extremely rugged
• Holiday-free and mechanical-damage-free service
Disadvantages:
• Significant ID reduction (150 mils thick)
• Temperature limit of about 150°F
• Concerns about gas permeation
• Softening at maximum service temperature
• Concerns about connection integrity
Uses:
• Most suited to water injection wells up to about 150°F
• Good choice for salvaging used tubing

Carbon Fiber
An ultra-high-temperature carbon-fiber liner and premium connection system is
presently undergoing testing. This product may have a working temperature of up
to 450°F.

723 Connections
Most downhole tubing in oil wells and injection wells have API eight-round connec-
tions. They are easy to coat but difficult to install 100 per cent holiday free.
Premium connections may be more difficult to coat internally.

Coated Tubing Connections

There are basically two approaches for coating tubing with API eight-round
connections:
• Coat the exposed threads on the coupling ID with Ryton (the best-known
method).
• Select specially made couplings that have a Teflon or reinforced-elastomer
insert in the J-section.
Some premier connections with external torque shoulders do not require torque
gages for make up. Both couplings use a marking system to make up the coupling
to position; they may also solve the following problems:
• Turbulent flow or sand-impingement damage at the J-section
• Moderate wirelining
• Failed Ryton-coated couplings

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Advantages:
• Connection with a flush ID instead of the discontinuous J-section in standard
API eight-round couplings
• Better seal
• Protection for the coating on the pin-ends in the J-section from wireline tool
damage
Disadvantages:
• Cost about three times as much as a standard coupling

Lined Tubing Connections

Each lining has a different technique for protecting the coupling and pin-ends.
• For cement-lined tubing, polypropylene inserts are cemented into the end of
the tubing; and pin-ends are embedded in an acrylic putty.
• For fiberglass- and PVC-lined tubing, a nitrile rubber ring is fitted between the
two pin-ends.
• For polyethylene-lined tubing, an integral portion of polyethylene covering the
pin faces mates when connected.

Premium Connections
Non-API premium connections are highly specialized. Evaluate their suitability for
coating or lining on a case-by-case basis with the connection manufacturer and the
coating or lining applicator. Some premium connections may be unsuitable for
holiday-free coating application. Surface preparation (e.g., abrasive blasting),
coating, and make-up procedures must comply with the connection manufacturer's
recommendations.

730 Selection
For help in selecting coatings or linings, contact the coatings specialists listed in the
Quick Reference Guide.

731 Economics
Costs for coated or lined tubing and accessories vary significantly depending on the
size of the order, the location of the job, market conditions, and other factors.

Purchasing Guidelines
• For coated tubing and accessories, refer to Specification COM-MS-4732,
Oilfield Tubular Goods and Accessories—Internal Coating Application.

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• For cement-lined tubing, refer to API RP 10E

There are no Company or industry specifications for purchasing cement-lined
or fiberglass-lined tubing. Industry participants purchase these products from
major suppliers and accept their specifications. See the Quick Reference Guide
for a list of suppliers.
• For PVC-lined tubing, refer to API Specification 15LT
• There are no Company or industry specifications for purchasing polyethylene-
lined tubing.

732 General Guidelines

In this manual, there are only general guidelines for selecting coatings and linings
as it would be impossible to cover every conceivable well condition.

Environmental or Operating Conditions

In some situations, downhole environmental conditions or planned operating
criteria and procedures preclude effective use of coatings or linings. In such circum-
stances and if corrosion is anticipated, the only alternatives may be to install either
bare-steel tubing with corrosion inhibitors or alloy tubing.

Influences of Materials on Selection

Coating names are often different in the US market and overseas; some coatings
with the same name exist but may be a modified version. Manufacturing space and
equipment limit some manufacturer-owned application facilities so that they cannot
apply their full product line of coatings.
As few applicators offer cement linings in the US, the limitations of local applica-
tors' facilities influence the choice of coating system.

Assistance
For guidance on selecting coatings and linings, consult the Company's coating
specialists (listed in the Quick Reference Guide).
The following databases are also available:
• Company-purchased database of ARCO's lab test of coated tubing
• The Company's field-experience database
• The Company's lab-test database
The Company's databases are updated periodically to reflect the latest experiences
with tubular coatings and linings. Please send relevant field experience or lab test
information to the Company's coating specialists listed in the Quick Reference
Guide.

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740 Application
See Figure 700-1 which lists common coatings for tubing.

741 Steps in Application

To apply coatings, follow these steps:
1. Bake at about 700°F to burn off oil and loosen scale.
2. Abrasive-blast the surface to white-metal finish (NACE No. 1 or SSPC-SP 5).
3. Apply primer, if appropriate, and cure.
4. Apply the coating.
– Apply multiple coats of liquid coating with a spinning spray head.
– Apply powder coatings with a vacuum or blow-in process, from one or
both ends of the tubing.
5. Bake at about 400°F to cure the coating.
6. Visually inspect the coating; check thickness.
7. Holiday test.
8. Install couplings and thread protectors.

742 Holiday-free Coated Tubing

Refer to Figure 1 of Specification COM-MS-4732 and follow this procedure to
guarantee 100 percent holiday-free coatings:
1. Round the end of the threaded tube to a smooth radius.
2. Coat and holiday test the end of the tubing to the first major thread.
3. Repair any holidays according to the specification.

743 Used Tubing

Use any of the existing linings (see Figure 700-2) rather than coatings for used
tubing. Fiberglass lining can bridge small holes in steel pipe (up to about ½-inch in
diameter) and withstand pressure up to several thousand psi. Polyethylene liners
also have this capability but to a lower pressure.
Because coatings are relatively thin, they are not as effective for protecting used
tubing if the ID surface is roughened from corrosion. Thick-film powder-applied
coatings, especially nylon coatings, are better than thin-film coatings for recoating
corroded used tubing. It is possible, however, that both types of coatings may fail to
cover all peaks or bridge all gaps or pits on severely corroded steel surfaces. As a
result, these uncoated or unbridged areas become exposed to the corrosive environ-
ment and cause premature failure of the coating and the steel.

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The roughness of the surface (and not necessarily the depth of corrosion) deter-
mines the difficulty in applying a good coating. A uniform 50 percent wall loss
from generalized corrosion is easier to coat than a wall loss of only 5 percent
covered with sharp-edged pits. To determine whether or not the tubing is NSC (Not
Suitable for Coating), the coatings applicator should inspect each length of tubing
after cleaning and blasting and again after coating and holiday testing.

750 Handling Coated or Lined Tubing

751 Coated Tubing

Because of the brittle nature of coatings, damage to coated tubing and accessories is
virtually inevitable with the possible exception of those coated with nylon.
The guidelines in this section are intended to minimize damage to plastic coatings
from handling, installation, and well operations. Minimizing coating damage
prolongs tubing life by decreasing both the number and extent of locations subject
to corrosion attack and the number of locations that need protection from corrosion
inhibitors.
As long as defects are small (i.e., the coating is not coming off in large chunks or
sheets), the life of a coated tubing string can be significantly longer than a bare-
steel string.
Proper handling of IPC tubing and accessories prevents or minimizes damage to the
coating, metal, and threads. Excessive bending, deflection, or impact can damage
the coating.
☞ Caution Do not place clamps, hooks, bars, rods, or other foreign objects inside
the tubing or other coated equipment. Either make drifts or rabbits from rubber,
plastic, or wood, or rubber- or plastic-coat them. The tubing must be free of debris
that could damage the coating during drifting.
Note Drifting means testing the tubing for roundness; rabbits help test for and
clear obstructions in the tubing.
The coatings applicator spreads API-modified thread compound (or alternative
thread compound, when specified) on exposed threads with a soft-bristle brush (not
a wire brush) to clean threads or apply thread compound. The coatings applicator
also installs closed-end plastic or steel-reinforced plastic thread/end protectors,
which remain in place during handling, storage, and transportation.

Storing Coated Tubing and Accessories

Note the following guidelines when storing coating tubing and accessories.
Guidelines for Yard Storage.
• Rack the tubing to prevent excessive bending and damage during loading and
unloading.

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• Place pipe racks on stabilized soil.

• Do not pyramid-stack (cradle) tubing.
• Support tubing by three evenly spaced pipe racks that keep the pipe at least
18 inches above the ground.
• Place bolsters (hardwood stripping) between pipe layers, perpendicular to
the pipe.
• Align bolsters vertically one above the other and directly over the pipe racks.
• Place stripping on the racks to prevent direct contact between the pipe and
pipe rack.
• Install chocks (about one- or two-inch wood or plastic blocks) at both ends of
each bolster to keep the pipe from moving.
• Do not stack pipe higher than ten feet.
• Rack the pipe with all couplings at one end.
• Stagger adjoining lengths about the length of the coupling.
• Store IPC accessories on wood pallets, concrete pads, or other suitable installa-
tions that keep the accessories off the ground.
• Apply an external protective coating to control external corrosion.
• Inspect tubular goods (both IPC and non-IPC) stored outside at least every
six months to check for detrimental external attack from atmospheric corro-
sion. Coastal areas may require more frequent inspection.
Guidelines for Job- or Wellsite Storage.
• Store IPC tubing on properly loaded flatbed trailers, wooden sills, or prefabri-
cated steel pipe racks.
• Do not use old drums or other thin-walled materials as pipe racks.
• Use proper pipe chocks on both sides of the bottom tier to prevent rolling.
• Do not stack pipe higher than five tiers (layers).
• Do not stack other equipment on top of racked IPC tubing.
• Do not use racked tubing as a workbench.
• Rack tubing with the couplings facing toward the well.
• Store IPC accessories on wood pallets, concrete pads, or other suitable installa-
tions that will keep the accessories off the ground.
Loading and Unloading Tubing.
• Do not allow IPC tubing to drop or experience long, fast rolls.

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• Do not use cheaters to move or roll the pipe.

• Do not strike the pipe with any metal object.

Transporting Coated Tubing

Note the following guidelines when transporting coated tubing.
In General.
• Rack IPC goods for transport to prevent excessive bending and damage during
loading and unloading.
• Do not pyramid-stack (cradle) them.
• Load and unload tubing carefully, supporting each piece firmly and gently
lifting or gradually rolling them down sills.
• Avoid high-speed rolling to protect the coating and the threads.
• Do not hoist tubing from a single point.
• Use nonmetallic slings when loading or unloading with cranes; do not use
spreader bars.
• Select forklifts with forks of sufficient spread to avoid excessive bending of
the pipe.
• Never insert pry bars or similar objects inside the pipe.
Guidelines for Trucking.
• Use flatbed trailers.
• Do not use pole trailers.
• For Range 2 or longer tubing, use at least three bolsters on the truck bed and
between layers. Align bolsters vertically.
• Use nonmetallic tiedowns for accessories.
• Load tubing with all couplings facing the same direction.
• Re-tighten tiedowns to remove slack due to settling after traveling a short
distance. Add bolsters if more tiedowns are needed. Do not pull tiedowns so
tight that they bend or bow the tubing or accessories.
Guidelines for Rail Transport.
• Transport IPC goods and accessories in open gondola cars, following rules of
American Association of Railroads (AAR).
• Secure the load according to AAR rules to prevent coating damage when in
transit or from excessive bending with bolsters, stakes, headers, high-tension
banding.
• Do not allow the height of the load above the car floor to exceed ten feet.

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Guidelines for Sea Transport.

• Do not store IPC goods in or near bilge water, chemicals, or other corrosive
materials.
• Prevent excessive bending or coating damage in transit with proper dunnage,
such as bolsters, stakes, headers, high-tension banding, and clips.

752 Lined Tubing

Most of the information about handling coated tubing also applies to lined tubing.
While linings (especially polyethylene linings) are generally more rugged and
damage-resistant than coatings, they must still be handled with care. Treating lined
tubing in the same manner as bare-steel tubing can ruin a potentially holiday- and
damage-free installed tubing string.
The following are key points about coated tubing that also apply to lined tubing:
• Keep protectors in place until the pipe is about to be made up. Do not remove
thread protectors when the pipe is being hauled or handled.
• Do not insert bars, hooks, or any unloading tools inside the pipe.
• Do not drop the pipe or turn it loose to roll on the sticks.
• Do not hit the pipe with a hammer or other metal object, or in any way subject
the pipe to impact.
API RP 10E also gives guidelines on handling cement-lined tubing.

760 Installation

761 Coated Tubing and Accessories

• Arrange to have a vendor's representative present.
• Visually inspect IPC tubing before running.
– Reject joints with damage to coating, metal (body, upset, or coupling), or
thread.
– Remove the thread protectors for the inspection and then reinstall them,
leaving them on until ready to make up the connection.
• Pick up the tubing gently with the rig.
• Assign a person to tail the rigged tubing to the derrick.

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762 Guidelines for Installing IPC Accessories

• Visually inspect IPC accessories before installation.
– Unless impractical, reject pieces with coating, metal, or thread damage.
– Remove the thread protectors to inspect the threads, and then reinstall
them.
• Leave thread/end protectors in place until immediately before make up of the
connection.
– Visually inspect the threads again after removing the protectors.
– Clean and lubricate (re-dope) the threads in a way that will not damage the
coating.
– Apply thread compound.
• For connection make up, use equipment and follow procedures to protect
coating.
– Do not use pipe wrenches.
– For threaded connections, use large contact surface-area tongs, wrenches,
and backups.
– Start the make up of the connections by hand, and then follow with the
tongs in low gear.
• The guidelines for proper make up of API and premium connections for tubing
also apply to accessories.
• For drift bars or rabbits, use wood, plastic, or hard rubber or plastic- or rubber-
coated. Do not use steel, aluminum, or other metal drifts.
– Verify that the drift diameter is correct.
– Refer to API RP 5A5, Section 4.8, for verification of procedures and
recommended drift diameters.
• For both running and pulling pipe, use elevators, slips, and tongs (including
backups) that have 360-degree wrap-around surface-contact areas.
– Ensure that the equipment is in good condition and the proper size to grip
the tubing.
– Repair or replace any equipment showing excessive wear or sharp contact
surfaces.
Note Slip-and-tong damage (e.g., crushing) can crack the coating.
• Leave the thread protectors on until the pipe is vertical, and you are ready to
stab the joint.
When tubing is being pulled, install the thread protectors immediately after
breaking each stand or joint.

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• After removing the thread protector, clean and lubricate (re-dope) the threads,
being careful not to damage the coating.
– Use a soft-bristle brush to clean connections.
– Never use a wire brush.
– Visually inspect each pipe end again and reject damaged joints.
• Always use stabbing guides to prevent damage to the coating on the pin end.
– Stab each connection with a properly sized rubber, plastic, or plastic-
coated stabbing guide.
– Lower the tubing into the stabbing guide slowly to prevent coating or
thread damage.
• Start tubing make up by hand; then use the tongs in low gear, at less than
25 rpm.
– Use backup tongs during make up, set only on the box.
– Do not use pipe wrenches for make up.
– Do not use slips for back up.
• To ensure contact of the pin and the coating in the standoff area of the
coupling, make up API connections properly.
– Unless an alternate procedure is required, make up API connections to
position while monitoring the torque to API specifications.
– Expose no more than 1½ threads after make up.
– Use a torque gage that reads directly in ft-lbs.
– Calibrate the torque gage every three months.
• Make up premium connections according to the connection manufacturer's
written recommendations.
• Stop travel of the IPC string completely before setting the slips. Lower the
string gently into the slips.
• Do not strike the pipe with any metal object (e.g., a hammer or pipe wrench)
even when breaking out connections. Do not allow the pipe to hit any metal
object (e.g., the mast).
• To pull the tubing and set it in stands in the derrick, install thread protectors on
the pin-ends or place a resilient pad or carpet on the rig floor to protect the
coated end of the tubing while it rests on the rig floor. If we are to lay the
tubing down through the V-door, install thread protectors on all pin-ends.

763 Guidelines for Installing Lined Tubing

The guidelines for installing coated tubing also apply to lined tubing. Linings are
generally more damage-tolerant than coatings; however, mishandling can cause
damage that will spoil an otherwise holiday-free, damage-free tubing string installa-
tion. Key points are noted or repeated below:

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Coatings Manual 700 Downhole Tubular Coatings & Linings

• Arrange to have a supplier's representative on site during installation.

• Always use a stabbing guide.
• Run power tongs at low speed. This is especially critical when:
– The pin-end starts to contact the corrosion barrier ring (CBR) on
fiberglass- or PVC-lined tubing.
– The pin contacts the plastic insert on cement-lined tubing.
• Follow the supplier's instructions to insert CBR, Permitek, and so on.
• For linings with a CBR, run a properly sized (nonmetal) drift through each
made-up joint to ensure proper clearance through the CBR.
• When running cement-lined tubing, use a sinker bar to smooth out the acrylic
putty applied to the plastic insert in the box end.
• When pulling lined pipe, install a thread protector before laying the pipe on a
rack or standing it on end.
• Do not stand lined pipe on end—not even on a cushioned mat—without thread
protectors in place.
• Do not hammer on the pipe to loosen collars.
API RP 10E also has installation guidelines for cement-lined tubing, similar to
those listed above.

770 Guidelines for Well Operation

The following guidelines are based on the National Association of Corrosion Engi-
neer's (NACE) recommended practices for coated tubing, many of which also apply
to lined tubing.
Note Lined tubing is more common in injection wells rather than in producing
wells.
☞ Caution At times, it is impossible or impractical to follow the guidelines given
below. If so, expect damage to the coating and premature failure of the tubing. Even
when following these guidelines, expect some damage to the coating.
• Clearly identify those wells with coated or lined tubing and coated accessories
in the well files, in workover procedure sheets, and at the wellsite. Include the
coating/lining type and installation date.
• Make personnel aware that the well has coated or lined tubing so that they take
proper precautions.
• Use rod guides in rod-pumped wells.
• When practical, install IPC tubing following completion of wireline work,
perforating, cementing, etc.

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• When a workover requires fishing, squeezing, drilling, or caustic or acid treat-

ments, pull the IPC tubing and use a work string, if possible.
• Do not use a coated string as a work string if that string is later intended to be
production or injection tubing in a corrosive well.
• If caustic or acid treatments through the IPC tubing are unavoidable, use the
lowest possible concentrations of acid or caustic and minimize contact time
with the coating.
– Do not shut in wells with unspent acid or caustic in the tubing.
– Consult the coating/lining manufacturer or the coatings applicator for
information about coating chemical resistance.
– Keep records in the well file of chemical treatments through coated or
lined tubing and accessories.
• Because severe corrosion can occur at locations of major coating damage
caused by wireline tools, avoid wirelining through IPC tubing. (Using a work
string may save your coated tubing.)
• If wireline work through IPC tubing is unavoidable, follow these procedures:
– Inform the wireline operator that the well has coated tubing.
– Use streamlined wireframe tools, sinker bars, and rope sockets with
smooth, padded contours. Do not use angular or sharp-edged tools.
– Use single-strand, coated, nonbraided wireline. If you must use braided
line, make sure it does not have splices or burrs, which tear the coating.
– Keep wireline speeds—both going into and coming out of the hole—at
less than 100 feet per minute. The Company recommends a reduced speed
of 50 feet per minute.
– Maintain a stiff line with weight on the indicator. Do not let the tool
free-fall.
– Provide special protection—such as elastomeric shrink sleeves or plastic
coating—for fishing necks, pressure bombs, temperature tools, etc. Use
sufficient stand-off pieces in the tool string.
– Avoid knuckle joints, knuckle jars, tubing end locators, wireline grabs,
explosive jars, paraffin cutters, or scrapers.
– Use swaging tools rather than gage cutters.
– If possible, avoid swabbing through IPC tubing strings. If unavoidable,
swab as slowly as possible because the swab itself is usually braided line.
(Using a slick line would be better.) Swabs should be flexible, fabric-rein-
forced, or all rubber; they should not be wire-reinforced. Use double cups
or double mandrels, or both.
– Try to avoid downhole caliper surveys. If unavoidable, use calipers with
feelers designed not to cut, mill, or damage the coating.
• If possible, avoid coil tubing workovers in coated tubing. If unavoidable, use
plastic or aluminum centralizers and carefully manipulate the coil tubing. Do
not use aluminum with acid or caustic because it will corrode severely.

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• When hydrotesting IPC tubing, advise the testing company that the well has
coated tubing. Obtain special hydrotest tools with rubber-encapsulated parts
(seal rings). As an alternative, consider external pressure-testing devices.
• With coated tubing and accessories in gas service, depressure at a rate no
greater than 2,000 psi per hour.
• Train crews involved in drilling, workover, pulling, wireline, and other field
work in the proper handling of coated or lined tubing and accessories. Films,
seminars, and other aids are available in the industry, and vendors are generally
willing to provide training.

780 References
1. Boyd, J.L. and Al Siegmund. “Plastic Coated Tubular Goods: Proper Selection,
The Key to Success.” NACE Paper 214: Corrosion ‘89.
2. L. J. Klein. “Database Package: Coatings for Downhole Tubular.” CRTC Mate-
rials Engineering File 6.30. Chevron Corporation. March 5, 1990.
3. Mitchell, R.K., “Coated Tubular Testing, Field Test Results, Hobbs Division,”
June 18, 1987 and August 27, 1987.
4. Strickland, L.N., “Mitigation of Tubing and Mandrel Failures in High Volume
Gas Lift Oil Wells, Thompson Field, Ft. Bend, TX.” NACE Paper 70:
Corrosion 1992.
5. Turnipseed, S.P. Internal Plastic Coatings Qualification Tests: Interim Report.
Chevron Corporation. April 15, 1992.
6. ———. Final Report. Chevron Corporation. December 16, 1992.
7. American Petroleum Industry. Recommended Practice for Application of
Cement Lining to Steel Tubular Goods, Handling, Installation and Joining.
API RP 10E. Washington, DC.
8. ———. Specification for PVC Lined Steel Tubular Goods. API 15LT.
Washington, DC.
9. ———. API RP 5A5, Section 4.8, National Association of Corrosion Engi-
neers. Care, Handling, and Installation of Internally Plastic-Coated Oilfield
Tubular Goods and Accessories. NACE RP0291. 1991.
10. ———. The Application of Internal Plastic Coatings for Oilfield Tubular
Gords and Accessories. NACE RP0191-91. 1991.

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