Inhibition of sweet corrosion in subsea flowlines
- Shell Offshore, Inc., New Orleans, LA (United States)
Corrosion inhibition is the principal means of corrosion control in sweet service flowlines between subsea wells and processing platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. In view of the temperatures and the well conditions, hydrate control chemicals have to be injected as well. The paper addresses the challenges of selecting corrosion inhibitors that are suitable for the prevailing flowline conditions, are compatible with hydrate inhibition, and with the materials of the subsea umbilical. Initial experience based on limited field monitoring data is reviewed. Key findings include the need to carefully consider partitioning of inhibitor components in the various liquid and gas phases along the line, the difficulties experienced with interpreting monitoring results and the perceived need for more detailed in-line corrosion monitoring. Inhibitor effectiveness is discussed in terms of a surface blocking model. One candidate inhibitor was rejected as it was ineffective under conditions of low water cut in hexane (simulated dense gas phase). Another inhibitor appears to exhibit different steady states depending on its concentration in the aqueous phase.
- OSTI ID:
- 352543
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980316--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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