Innovative Technologies
Protecting our assets and environment
WA:ERA's facilities
research expertise has maintained a clear focus on meeting the
research and development needs of the oil and gas industry in the
areas of offshore infrastructure on the seabed (subsea and
pipelines), through the water column (risers) and on the surface
(floaters).
The ultimate aim of our research is to use advances in technology to reduce whole-of-life infrastructure risks and costs to industry, while maintaining a reliable, long-term and environmentally responsible gas supply in sensitive marine environments.
"Research is not a cost, but should be seen as investment that carries a very attractive rate of return. The US Department of Defense has demonstrated that every dollar spent on corrosion research returns 50 dollars in reduced maintenance and replacement costs." Professor Rolf Gubner, Chevron-Woodside Chair in Corrosion Engineering.
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Research
snapshot: The Western Australian Corrosion Research Group
(WACRG) at Curtin is developing the ability to test the
effectiveness of volatile corrosion inhibitors to tackle 'top of
the line' (TLC) corrosion. TLC is a significant problem associated
with the production and transportation of wet gas that can cost
millions of dollars a year in the replacement of pipelines affected
by the unavoidable transportation of corrosive elements such as
water, carbon dioxide and organic acids. WACRG has developed test
rigs which allow more rigorous testing and consequently the ongoing
modification and optimisation of corrosion inhibitors.  |
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The True Triaxial Stress Cell (TTSC), the first of its kind in Australia, is an operational technology designed to improve access to oil and gas located deep beneath the Earth's surface in highly unstable geological environments, by providing accurate simulations of the 3D stresses involved. |
Storing carbon dioxide deep underground
Continuing to provide the world with increasing amounts of energy in an emissions-constrained global environment is a continuing challenge for the petroleum industry. Carbon dioxide storage, one of a number of technology options that could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, carries strong synergies with oil and gas technologies, processes, environments and capabilities. The existing relationships between WA:ERA and the petroleum industry provide a significant springboard for the extension of carbon storage research in support of emissions reduction. WA:ERA scientists have participated in major commercial Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects internationally, including Sleipner, Weyburn, Gorgon, and In Salah, and are active in the global network of CCS research. They have already demonstrated significant expertise in optimising the potential for CO2 underground storage through applied research under the auspices of the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) Otway Project, Australia's largest CO2 storage project, and continue to play an important role in the project.
People, education and engagement
Educating and training the next generation of scientists, engineers and skilled industry professionals capable of addressing the energy challenges of the future is an important objective for WA:ERA.
WA:ERA's academic and industry members are investing heavily in the development of the infrastructure necessary to attract, educate and retain students in disciplines critical to the growth of the oil and gas industry.
