Heavy Plate from Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH for Exploration of the Largest Gas Field in the World

Millions of years ago dead microorganisms slowly sank into the warm seas, then decomposed on the seabed and were converted into energy rich organic substances. The mineral oils and natural gases that were created form the basis of modern life today, though it is true that the priests of the Parsees, who lived about 5,000 years ago in the area of present-day Iran, did already use outflowing gas for the eternal fire for their temple.

The currently best-known gas field, the so-called South Pars field, is located in the Persian Gulf. 100 billion m³ of gas are presumed to be there. As a rule oil and gas are transported in pipelines over great distances. Depending on the chemical composition, very high requirements are made of the steel from which the piping is manufactured and only a few manufacturers in the world are able to meet those requirements. The gas from the South Pars field contains high proportions of hydrogen sulfide. In particular it is the hydrogen that is derived from this chemical compound can cause lasting damage to the steel. The hydrogen enters the steel in its atomic form and collects in specific places. Recombination of the atomic hydrogen creates molecular hydrogen, which requires a considerably greater volume and finally causes the microstructure to fracture. This damage can be avoided by using special acid gas resistant steels, the main features of which, besides a very high degree of purity, are their low sulfur content and a very uniform, almost segregation-free microstructure. Two platforms located 100 km from the Iranian coast are planned to extract gas in an expansion phase of the South Pars field.
For this project the company Salzgitter AG / Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH has supplied approx. 75,000 to. of heavy plate, from which longitudinal seam welded pipes were manufactured for two lines. These connect a gas collector station in the Persian Gulf to a refinery on the Iranian coast.
The piping has been laid at a depth of down to 70 m. The requirements that were made of the steel exceed any normal requirements. For example, the assessment criteria for the acid gas test were intensified and not only the end product, but each production step was checked by external acceptance testers meticulously and with the conscientiousness of a notary public.
The quality of the material and the logistical processing of the entire order once again provide proof of our efficiency, metallurgy and our heavy plate production.