HDPE pipe for crude oil flowline

[tjwoca]

We have an oil well that produces 30 bbl of crude oil per day, with very little water and a negligible amount of associated gas and are looking to connect it to a remote tank farm ~5km away passing through an environmentally sensitive area. Does anyone have any experience with the use of HDPE pipe (PE100 or similar) for the flowlines. I know that it has been used in certain circumstances, but I am also aware that the HDPE can be affected by the aromatics in the crude oil (if any) and they cause the pipe to swell and lose its strength. Also others have indicated that all HDPE will permeate some amount of product through the wall. Vendcrs have indicated that they can perform tests by immersing the HDPE in the crude oil samples for certain periods of time and then perform weight loss and strength tests on the pipe then. I am not sure that it will get the right result if it is not immersed with the total well fluid (ie. including the associated gas).

I would appreciate any comments from others' experience with this product in crude oil gathering line service.