Crude oil pipe having layers of graduated permeability to hydrogen sulfide

摘要

A pipe for transporting crude oil comprises a layer of polymeric material for containing oil within the bore of the pipe, the polymeric material being surrounded and supported by a reinforcement structure comprising high tensile reinforcement elements which are protected from corrosion by gases passing from the polymeric layer through the reinforcement structure. The reinforcement element may be provided with a protective sheath, for example of low permeability material or a material which possesses electrolytic action, or the reinforcement element may be embedded in a matrix of high permeability material such that a preferential path is provided for the passage of gases through the reinforcement structure.