The effectiveness of stationary metal-to-metal seals is investigated with respect to contact pressure and length, load history, and the use of sealing compounds. Laboratory cup and cone tests were carried out, and experimental results were used to develop a sealability criterion. A sealability parameter is proposed and a critical value for it was obtained from experiments. The criterion was validated through full-scale tests of tubular connections and FEA. This criterion can be used for the comparison, qualification and future performance improvements of different metal-to-metal seals, in particular those used in the petroleum industry.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
seals (stoppers), surface topography, finite element analysis, sealing materials, leak detection, Sealability, Seal, Metal-to-Metal Seal, Sealing Compound, Cup and Cone
Topics:
Finite element analysis, Leakage, Metals, Pressure, Sealants, Stress, Geometry
1.
ISO/DIS 13679 Norm, 2002, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries—Procedures for Testing Casing and Tubing Connections.
2.
Villasante, J. A., Murtagian, G. R., Fanelli, V., Johnson, D., and Ernst, H. A., 1998, “Ensayos de Sellabilidad en Probetas de Laboratorio Tipo Copa y Cono,” Informe CINI 1377/98.
3.
Fanelli, V., Villasante, J. A., Murtagian, G. R., and Ernst, H. A., 1999, “Ana´lisis de Datos Experimentales de los Ensayos de Sellabilidad en Probetas de Laboratorio Tipo Copa y Cono,” Informe CINI 1405/99.
4.
Ernst, H. A., Fanelli, V., and Murtagian, G. R., 1998, “Modelo de Pe´rdidas para los Ensayos de Sellabilidad,” Informe CINI 1380/98.
5.
Fanelli, V., 1999, “Criterio de Sellabilidad en Uniones de Tubos Petroleros,” Tesis de Maestria en Ciencia y Tecnologı´a de los Materiales, Instituto de Tecnologı´a, UNSAM Argentina.
6.
Johnson, D. H., 1992, “API RP 5C5 Class Three Testings on Siderca SEC 3 1/2″, 9.2#, L80 Tubing,” CINI Internal Report.
7.
Benedetto, F., and Johnson, D. H., 1993, “Ensayos con Strain Gauges de Unio´n SEC 7″, L80, Cargas Combinadas,” CINI Internal Report.
8.
Silva, C, Daubian, P., Perrone, G., Nakoneczny, M., Johnson, D. H., and Ernst, H. A., 1998, “Qualification Test Program on Dalmine Premium Connection AMS 4 1/2″, 12.6# SD 95 According to SIPM Procedure 92-0147(EP2),” CINI Internal Report
9.
Assanelli, A., Toscano, R., and Dvorkin, E., 1997, “Finite Element Analysis of the AMS 9 5/8″, 53.5# P110 Casing Connection,” CINI Report 1048/97.
10.
Dvorkin, E., Assanelli, A., R. Toscano, R., and Calo, V., 1997, “Finite Element Analysis of the SEC 9 5/8″, 53.5 PC 110 Casing Connection,” CINI Report 1091/97.
11.
Assanelli, A., and Toscano, R., 1998, “Finite Element Analysis of the Antares MS 3 1/2″, 12.7# P110 Connection,” CINI Report 1248/98.
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 by ASME
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