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Accelerating Non-Metallics: Building Resilient Energy Infrastructures
26–27 February 2025, Abu Dhabi Energy Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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About the Symposium

SPE Symposium: Non-Metallics

About the Symposium

In the two years since this symposium last took place, there has been significant progress in deploying non-metallics to better serve the energy sector. Non-metallic pipelines, linings, facilities, storage systems, offshore and subsea structures, and repair systems have become integral to mainstream operations, with new developments and products continually emerging. These advancements harness the unique advantages of thermoplastics, thermosets, and composite materials, including lightweight construction, corrosion resistance, and flexibility.

The objective of this symposium is to build communal knowledge and provide assurance to contractors, operators, and designers of energy systems that the effective deployment of non-metallic solutions is both advantageous and safe. The symposium will serve as a platform for all stakeholders, including subject matter experts, manufacturers, and operators, to discuss the latest technological developments, challenges, and future ambitions.

The symposium will continue to focus on non-metallic solutions and stakeholders, including:

  • Monolayer or multilayer composite structures.
  • Thermoplastic-based materials, including pipes (RTP/TCP), liners, fittings, valves, tanks, etc.
  • Thermoset resin-based materials, including pipes (RTR), liners, tanks, etc.
  • State-of-the-art technologies for industrial composite products.
  • Non-metallic materials sourcing and manufacturing.
  • Advancing and refining composite production methods for various products.
  • Innovative technologies and materials pushing the limits of operational capabilities and expanding the operational envelope.
  • Increasing the role of non-metallics in addressing environmental and sustainability challenges.

Topics will include:

  • Deployment opportunities and case studies.
  • Value proposition, life cycle cost, and carbon footprint reduction.
  • Design and construction: specified versus as-built products.
  • Regulations and governance of non-metallics in new applications.
  • Structural health monitoring and in-situ integrity management of in-service commodities.
  • Material performance, including short-term and long-term integrity failure modes and mechanisms.
  • Emphasis on the role of modelling and simulation for composite applications.

SYMPOSIUM OBJECTIVES

  • Encourage the adoption of non-metallic solutions to enhance business performance and achieve sustainability goals.
  • Create a platform that facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences throughout the entire supply chain.
  • Connect solution providers with consumers to expedite the deployment of non-metallics and the development of related next-generation products.

Symposium Guidelines

Format

An SPE symposium serves as a transition event for a topic that has matured beyond the workshop format. It provides the opportunity for authors to publish papers, but the event may not be a fully papered programme. The committee may invite presenters and/or select speakers through the Call for Abstracts process. In many cases, symposia also feature an exhibition of the latest products and services.

This symposium will take place for two days with informal discussions prompted by selected keynote presentations and discussions. It will maximise the exchange of ideas among attendees and presenters through brief technical presentations followed by extended Q&A periods. Focused topics attract an informed audience eager to discuss issues critical to advancing both technology and best practices. The majority of the presentations are in the form of case studies, highlighting engineering achievements, and lessons learnt. In order to stimulate frank discussion, the press is not invited to attend.

Documentation

  • Work in progress, new ideas, and interesting projects are sought.
  • Professionally-prepared visual aids are not required; handwritten view graphs are entirely acceptable.
  • Note-taking by participants is encouraged.

Commercialism

In keeping with symposium objectives and the SPE mission, commercialism in ePosters or presentations will not be permitted. Company logos must be limited to the title slide and used only to indicate the affiliation of the presenter and others involved in the work.

Attendance

Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The committee encourages attendance from those who can contribute to the symposium most effectively either in discussions or with presentations. A mix of attendees in terms of geographic origin, companies, and disciplines will be encouraged.

Deliverables

  • The committee will appoint a “scribe” to record the discussions and to produce the full symposium report for SPE.
  • This report will be circulated to all attendees as the workshop deliverable within 4–6 weeks following the workshop. The copyright of the report is with SPE.
  • PowerPoint presentation materials will be posted on a specific SPE URL address after the workshop. Provision of the materials by the speakers will signify their permission for SPE to do so.

Attendance Certificate

All attendees will receive an attendance certificate attesting to their participation in the workshop. This certificate will be provided in exchange for a completed survey.

Continuing Education Units

Attendees at this workshop qualify for SPE Continuing Education Units (CEU) at the rate of 0.1 CEU per hour of the symposium.

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