Recent developments in titanium alloy application in the energy industry

Recent advances in titanium alloy applications in the energy industry have been realized through the development and qualification of two cost/performance-optimized α-β titanium alloys, Ti–6Al–4V–Ru and Ti–3Al–2.5V–Ru alloys; combined with the ability to manufacture lower-cost seamless pipes via high-yield hot-rolling processes and coiled tubing products in titanium alloys. These new lower-cost/high performance alloy tubular products provide project cost savings and/or technology enablement, and have already been successfully utilized in geothermal brine wells, offshore riser taper stress joints and deep water offshore drilling risers. Imminent large-volume applications include dynamic offshore risers for deep water production, deep sour gas well tubular strings, lightweight, flexible drill pipe for special drilling operations and various subsea and downhole coiled tubing applications.