Summary
Preferential weld corrosion (PWC) has long been a problem in the oil and gas industry for pipelines used in process facilities, seawater injection, produced-water service, offshore platforms, and downhole-production systems. This paper reviews recent PWC field failures in light of mitigation guidelines from existing literature. Environmental effects take precedence over chemical composition and microstructure in determining PWC susceptibility. Therefore, the primary approach to minimize PWC is continuous corrosion inhibition. The ideal PWC-prevention method would be the use of autogenous welds or welds made with matching consumables. However, this is not a practical option in the field where most pipelines are typically made from carbon (C) manganese (Mn) steels with broad chemical compositions, thereby making them susceptible to PWC. The feasible alternative is to use filler materials with strict compositional control concerning the following elements: nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), and chromium (Cr). In addition, increased-preheat and high-heat input welding processes should be employed to minimize PWC susceptibility.
Preferential weld corrosion (PWC) has long been a problem in the oil and gas industry for pipelines used in process facilities, seawater injection, produced water service, offshore platforms, and downhole production systems. This paper reviews recent PWC field failures in light of mitigation guidelines from existing literature. Environmental effects take precedence over chemical composition and microstructure in determining PWC susceptibility. Therefore, the primary approach to minimize PWC is continuous corrosion inhibition. The ideal PWC prevention method would be the use of autogenous welds or welds made with matching consumables. However, this is not a practical option in the field where most pipelines are typically made from carbon-manganese steels with broad chemical compositions, thereby making them susceptible to PWC. The feasible alternative is to use filler materials with strict compositional control vis-à-vis the following elements: nickel, silicon and chromium. In addition, increased preheat and high heat input welding processes should be employed to minimize PWC susceptibility.
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