The unique environment in the oil fields and its effect on the performance of the drilling and production machinery
The problem of losses due to the corrosion of well drilling and production equipment is receiving increasing attention from operators and contractors. These losses usually include unproductive rig time and loss of equipment. Corrosion problems are being recognized by a larger segment of the drilling industry than ever before. This concern may be due to sea water and/or the type of muds run in many areas today. The trend away from highly treated, heavy weight, high pH (11-12) muds containing diesel oil to the lightly treated low pH muds containing no oil is clearly more conducive to corrosion. The lighter weight water base muds contain a much higher water fraction than the heavier fluids, and the corrosive water base is in direct contact with the drill pipe and casing. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are entrapped by the high gel structure of these muds which makes them more corrosive as well. Consequently, the trend toward low solids, water base muds aggrevates the corrosion problem although it offers benefits in penetration rates.
- Research Organization:
- King Fahd Univ. of Petroleum and Minerals, UPM Box 1753, Dhahran 31261 (SA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7072715
- Journal Information:
- Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Vol. 33:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
CORROSION
DRILLING FLUIDS
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
FIELD PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
OIL FIELDS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PH VALUE
SEAWATER
WELL CASINGS
WELL DRILLING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DRILLING
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MINERAL RESOURCES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
TESTING
WATER
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
360105 - Metals & Alloys- Corrosion & Erosion