drilling, production and pipeline assets P R O D U C T I O N
T E C H N O L O G I E S The visible, above-surface rust on oilfield rigs is just one of the challenges the energy industry faces. The increasing number of remote onshore and offshore locations, coupled with secondary and tertiary recovery techniques, amplify the potential for costly corrosion. Features and Benefits Inhibitors Help to prevent all forms of corro - sion attack on casing, tubing and surface equipment, main taining overall integrity Composed of specifically formulated organic compounds Form a protective film on the metal surface May be added directly to pro - duction fluids, without special mixing equipment or agitation Chemically stable and formulated to temperatures of 350 F (177 C) Easy to handle on location even at 45 F (50 C) Meet stringent QHSE and environmental requirements Testing Services Duplicate field conditions in the lab to ensure product performance Evaluate products electro chem - ically and with coupons to evaluate surface effects and inhibitor effectiveness In the field, a sidestream apparatus can assess inhibitor performance under high-shear and high-temperature conditions Perform a wide range of ecotoxicological tests M-I SWACO Production Chemicals helps you control corrosion with solutions that fit your needs anywhere in the world In oil and gas production, carbon steel is widely used as the material of con- struction for downhole tubing, vessels and piping. Although it is inexpensive compared to stainless steel, carbon steel is susceptible to corrosion attack from CO 2 and/or H 2 S present in pro- duced water. A number of variables affect the rate at which corrosion occurs, including CO 2 and H 2 S content, temperature, pH, water cut, salinity, pressure, and liquid and gas velocity. To combat corrosion, inhibitors are traditionally used to reduce the corro- sion rate. They are applied either by injecting continuously into the pro- duced fluids or via batch treatment at regular intervals. The inhibitors used are generally organic in nature and work by forming a protective film on the metal surface that inhibits the water from contacting the surface. Our wide product range gives you flexibility in fighting costly corrosion M-I SWACO Production Chemicals specialists can supply and apply an extensive range of inhibitors for treating corrosion in all areas of oil and gas production, including down- hole tubing, topsides production facilities, and oil and gas pipelines. Among these are: Inhibitors approved for subsea use in deepwater fields Inhibitors for both sweet and sour conditions Inhibitors for both continuous injec- tion and long-term batch treatments Multifunctional products, such as a combined scale/corrosion inhibitor, for operations with limited chemical-injection or limited storage facilities Chemical treatments specifically designed to prevent corrosion in water- and produced-water- injection systems Hydrostatic test chemicals for pre- venting corrosion and microbiologi- cal activity when pressure testing or mothballing pipelines or vessels Corrosion inhibitors that meet stringent environmental regulations Corrosion inhibitor selection The first step in selecting corrosion inhibitors for use in oil and gas pro- duction applications is to evaluate their performance in the laboratory. M-I SWACO Production Chemicals uses an array of tests that duplicate field conditions for accurate appli ca- tion and more effective results. Depending upon the application and the recommended inhibitor, we can use some or all of the following tests: Kettle Test. The kettle, or bubble, test is a relatively quick, straight for- ward procedure that is typically per- formed at ambient pressure and temperatures up to 200 F (95 C). The test fluids (brine or brine/hydro - carbon) are normally saturated with CO 2 or a CO 2 /H 2 S mix. Using Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR), the test electrochemically meas- ures corrosion rate over a 24-hr period. For brines with a very low salinity (less than 1,000 ppm), AC impedance provides a more accurate corrosion rate. Inhibitor efficiency can be cal cu- lated based on the corrosion rates before and after inhibitor injection. Rotating Cylinder Electrode (RCE) Test. The RCE test evaluates inhibitor performance under moderate flow conditions. The test utilizes the same principles as the kettle method Corrosion Rate vs Time for Addition of 20 ppm Corrosion Inhibitor 250 Corrosion rate (mpy) 200 150 100 50 0 0 2 4 6 8 12 14 16 18 20 10 Time (hrs) except that the specimen electrode is mounted on a shaft that is rotated at up to 10,000 RPMduring the test. This creates shear stresses of up to 100 Pa on the electrode. As in the kettle test, the corrosion rate is electrochemically measured via LPR or AC impedance. Rotating Cage Autoclave Test. The rotating cage autoclave test, also known as the high-shear autoclave test, assesses inhibitor performance under very high shear conditions. Testing utilizes an autoclave that contains the fluids to be evaluated. Weight-loss coupons are placed inside a cage that can rotate at up to 1,500 RPM in the heated fluids. The high rotation speed creates very high shear stresses on the leading edge of the coupon (up to 1,000 Pa). The test can be conducted either sweet or sour, under high tempera- tures (up to 400 F [200 C]) and high pressures (up to 1,450 psi [100 bar]). High-Temperature, High-Pressure (HTHP) Autoclave Test. Special autoclaves can be used to assess corrosion-inhibitor performance at high temperatures and pressures. This is a static test that uses coupon weight loss to determine corrosion rate. Coupons are placed in an auto- clave containing the test liquids and the vessel is heated and pressurized to the required level. The test can be performed up to 400 F (200 C) and 700 psi (50 bar), and also under sweet or sour conditions. Field evaluation of corrosion inhibitors Once inhibitors have been selected in the laboratory, a corrosion sidestream apparatus assesses inhibitor perform- ance in the field. The sidestream unit attaches to the production system (typically downstream from the sepa- rators), and the separated water passes through the apparatus. The corrosion rate of the produced water is meas- ured using LPR, although for oily waters, Cormon CEION probes are more suitable. The sidestream can be used to optimize the dose rate of the incumbent inhibitor, or it can be used to evaluate the performance of several inhibitors under field conditions. In addition to corrosion sidestream testing, inhibitor performance can be evaluated through iron counts. By measuring the iron concentra tion in the system before and during corrosion-inhibitor injection, we can determine corrosion-inhibitor efficiency and make adjustments if necessary. Research and development M-I SWACO Production Chemicals is a clear leader in the development of new inhibitor chemistries. Utilizing global technology centers based in Europe, the Middle East, the Asia- Pacific region and North America, our experienced personnel provide solutions that offer improved efficiency, lower costs and lower environmental impact. These centers are supported by a research laboratory in Stavanger, Norway, that houses state-of-the- art corrosion-testing equipment. Additional support is provided by an environmental research facility in Bergen that ensures all products comply with each countrys environ- mental requirements. The laboratory is GLP-approved and performs a wide range of ecotoxi cological tests including biodegra dation (OECD 306), bioaccumulation (OECD117, 107) and toxicity. In order to supplement the research that is performed internally, M-I SWACO is very active in spon soring research with external insti tutions such as the Institute for Energy Technology (Norway) and Ohio University. Spon - soring these research projects enhances our knowledge base and helps us develop more effective corrosion inhibitors for our customers. Need more information? To learn more about how our corrosion-management programs and products can help you protect your investment, contact your local M-I SWACO Production Chemicals repre- sentative for case histories as well as an assessment of what we can do for you. 2006 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C. PBR.0314.0603.R2 (E) 2.5M Litho in U.S.A. This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice. P.O. Box 42842 Houston, Texas 77242-2842 www.miswaco.com E-mail: mipc@miswaco.com Technology Centers: HOUSTON, TEXAS Tel: 2815611300 Fax: 2815611441 STAVANGER, NORWAY Tel: 4751577300 Fax: 4751576503 Technical Service Centers: NISKU, ALBERTA, CANADA Tel: 7809553388 Fax: 7809552064 ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND Tel: 441224285500 Fax: 441224890904 BERGEN, NORWAY Tel: 4755173850 Fax: 4755173851 DUBAI, U.A.E. Tel: 97148833100 Fax: 97148837197 PERTH, AUSTRALIA Tel: 61894402900 Fax: 61893251897
International Thermodynamic Tables of the Fluid State, Argon, 1971: Division of Physical Chemistry, Commission on Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry, Thermodynamic Tables Project