Production of Wet Natural Gas Containing Corrosive Components: Four Case Histories

Abstract

In petroleum production, the problem of corrosive media attacking metallic structures is almost ubiquitous. Particularly severe environments are encountered in the production and transport of wet natural gas containing corrosive components, such as hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. When exploring new gas fields, it is therefore a prerequisite to take into account the corrosivity of the respective fluids in all stages of the field development, material selection, field layout, and facilities design. In preparation of the subsequent production phase, reliable corrosion monitoring programs have to be selected, established, and implemented as necessary. Furthermore, the financial aspects always play an important role, thus posing a real challenge for the engineer forced to seek a compromise between economics and design.This paper gives a comprehensive overview of these considerations regarding four different OMV gas fields, two in Austria and two in Pakistan, which were successfully developed and brought onstream between 1967 and 2003. These fields not only vary in their geographical position, but also in their gas compositions, production start, and the location of gas dehydration units.One major aspect dealt with in each of these cases was material selection, including metallic as well as nonmetallic and composite materials. Where the initial decision was made in favor of carbon steel, different methods of corrosion protection, the application of corrosion inhibitors, corrosion monitoring, and intelligent pigging are discussed in the paper.A comparison of the various methods of resolution worked out for all four case histories, as well as the experience gained in more than three decades of production and transportation of wet, corrosive natural gas is presented.Furthermore, results of the ongoing corrosion monitoring measurements in operation in the mature gas fields are discussed under the aspect of the remaining facility lifetimes.

Permeation Damage of Polymer Liner in Oil and Gas Pipelines: A Review

“…Carbon Steel (CS) is frequently used, but its practice was limited due to reduced corrosion resistance in the oil and gas environment [ 11 ]. CS, in combination with continuously injected corrosion inhibitors, is occasionally feasible and cost-effective [ 18 ]. On the other hand, corrosion-resistant alloys (CRA) are considered to be the best option, but their usage drops with time due to high capital cost.…”