Baker Hughes announced a joint technology development program with Petrobras to provide a definitive solution for stress corrosion cracking due to CO2(SCC-CO2) in flexible pipe systems.

The pre-commercial agreement encompasses development and testing, as well as a purchase option of the resulting next-generation flexible pipes, which will have an extended service life of 30 years in high-CO2 environments. The collaborative effort between Baker Hughes and Petrobras will be primarily executed at Baker Hughes’ Rio de Janeiro Energy Technology Innovation Center and nearby flexible pipe systems manufacturing plant.

“Baker Hughes has led the way in addressing SCC-CO2, and we will bring that expertise and experience to bear in developing the definitive solution to this critical industry challenge,” said Amerino Gatti, executive vice president, Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes. “By deploying flexible pipe systems that last for decades, Petrobras can more efficiently unlock the vital natural resources that power the region, while also safely returning CO2 deep underground.”