Background+of+CO2+Corrosion


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 * Background of CO2 Corrosion **

According to the study of “Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies in The United States” in 2002, pipeline corrosion cost approximate $7 billion annually in the USA. This cost does not include the cost of downtime or lost oil and gas. In addition, this article also stated that the total cost of corrosion in the US pipeline system could grow up to 20 billion annually if the costs on production, process, and refining down time, and on the environment were included.

CO2 related corrosion failure accounts for 25% of all safely incidents, 8.5% increase of expenditure of capital, 5% of lost/deferred production, 2.2% of tangible assets, and 2.8% turnover.



The study also stated that with the currently available technologies there are approximate 30% cost of corrosion can be avoided.


 * Challenges **

The main challenges that oil and gas producers face regarding corrosion are: - Aging pipeline infrastructure - Cost of equipment and pipe replacement - Stricter regulations - Environmental issues


 * What is CO2 corrosion? **

CO2 corrosion or sweet corrosion is the corrosion of carbon and low-alloy steel by carbonic acid and its derivatives. Carbonic acid is formed by gaseous carbon dioxide first dissolving into water, and then reacting to it. There are three main types of CO2 induced corrosion in pipelines: · Pitting corrosion · Mesa-Type Attack · Flow-Induced Localized Corrosion

**Pitting Corrosion:** Pitting takes place at low velocities and at the dew point in gas-producing wells. And what happens is a small shallow is formed in the pipe wall, which is gradually corroded away until a sAs temperature and CO2 partial pressure increase, the pitting susceptibility increase as well.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Mesa-Type Attack:** Mesa attack is a type of localized corrosion and happens in low to medium conditions where the protective ion carbonate film forms but it is unable to bear the operating flow regime.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Flow-Induced Localized Corrosion:** This kind of corrosion happens in areas of transient and turbulent flow and it is when the protective barrier covering the pipe wall is stripped away, leaving a small exposed area for where all corrosion activities take place.
 * [[image:Flow-Induced.gif width="212" height="178" align="center" caption="Figure 5: Flow-Induced Localized Corrosion"]] || [[image:Flow_induced_localized_corrosion.JPG width="631" height="269" caption="Figure 6: Flow-Induced Localized Corrosion Process "]] ||


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Key Factors Influencing CO2 Corrosion **


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Methods of Corrosion Control **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Coating and Linings:** are inert barriers that are placed between the pipe wall and the flowing fluid and are often applied in conjunction with cathodic protection systems to provide the most cost-effective protection.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Cathodic Protection:** apply a direct electrical current to counteract the normal external corrosion of a metal pipeline.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Materials Selection:** making a selection of corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, plastics and special alloys.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Corrosion Inhibitors:** are chemicals that are injected into the pipeline that can reduce the pH, act as a barrier, and react with possible oxidizing agents and so on. They extend the life of pipelines and prevent system shutdowns and failures.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Sources **

[Author unknown] O&G next generation: Fighting Back [Internet]. [Cited 2010 November 27]. Available from: []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Kermani M. B., Morshed A. 2003. Carbon dioxide corrosion in oil and gas production: a compendium. Corrosion. 2003;59(8):659-683.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[Author unknown] Hydrocarbon processing: Flow -induced fatigue failure [Internet]. [Cited 2010 November 28]. Available from:http://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/images/22/25609/Babakr-Fig-12.gif

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Wang H.V., Allan K., Clariant Corporation. 2010. Internal pipeline corrosion study on the changes from oil to gas production. Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE No. 132854, June 2010, 13 pages

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Figures from:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[Author unknown] O&G next generation: Fighting Back [Internet]. [Cited 2010 November 27]. Available from: []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">[Author unknown] World Interesting Facts: Top 10 most expensive projects in the world [Internet]. [Cited 2010 November 27]. Available from: []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">[Author unknown] Corrosion & integrity solutions: Gallery [Internet]. [Cited 2010 November 27]. Available from: []

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