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Disclaimer
This presentation discusses components of
an internal corrosion control program for
natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline
systems
It is not a discussion of the policies and
practices of any particular pipeline operator
Internal Corrosion
Four things are necessary in order for a
corrosion cell to form:
Anode
Cathode
Electrolyte
Metallic path
Electrolyte
Cathode
Anode
Metallic path
Sources of Water
Natural gas transmission pipelines typically
transport tariff-quality gas, or dry gas
Gas quality specifications designate a maximum
moisture vapor content at a level where liquid water
will not condense in the pipeline system under
normal operating conditions
Natural gas pipelines that transport hydrocarbon
liquids and hazardous liquids pipelines typically
allow BS&W including liquid water
Sources of Water
Water accidentally introduced into the pipeline
Upsets of liquid water at system inputs from
production or storage
High water vapor that allows liquid water to
condense under operating conditions
Failures to dehydration equipment can introduce
water, water vapor, and glycol, which is hygroscopic
Maintenance pigging and gas flow can move water
to unexpected places
Sources of Water
Water intentionally introduced into the
pipeline
Hydrotesting (long exposures, water quality,
dewatering effectiveness)
Water used to carry chemical treatments
Self-inflicted (cleaning, management of
pyrophoric materials, maintenance of
dehydration equipment)
Methanol injection to prevent freezing
Prevention
Facilities design (filter/separators)
Appropriate product quality standards
Product quality enforcement actions
Customer quality assurance valves
Tracing the source and correcting problems
Dehydration and liquid removal
Effective de-watering following hydrotesting
Removing Water
Re-absorption into gas stream
Maintenance pigging
Flow velocity
Line sweeping (increased velocities [but not too
high])
Liquid removal devices such as pipeline drips,
filters, separators, slug catchers
If these devices arent properly maintained, then you
are simply moving the corrosion from the pipeline to
the liquid removal device
Removing Water
Conditions that may prevent water removal
Repeated upsets
Biomass
Glycol can absorb water from low levels of water
vapor
Low/no flow
Poor design, such as crevices, dead legs and
diameter changes
Sediment accumulation
Gas sampling
Water vapor
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Hydrogen sulfide
Other tests
Integrity Assessment
Trust everyone,
but cut the cards.
- W. C. Fields
Integrity Assessments
Ultrasonic thickness measurements at key
locations
Inspection of internal surface of the pipe
when the pipe is open
Repairs
Pig launchers/receivers
Meter tubes
Vessels
Tanks
Integrity Assessments
Inspection for internal corrosion where historical
accumulations of liquid water may have occurred:
PHMSA Advisory Bulletin ADB-00-02
Drips, deadlegs, and sags, fittings and/or "stabbed"
connections, operating temperature and pressure,
water content, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide
content, carbon dioxide partial pressure, presence of
oxygen and/or bacteria, and sediment deposits, low
spots, sharp bends, sudden diameter changes, and
fittings that restrict flow or velocity.
Integrity Assessments
Periodic integrity assessments
ILI
ICDA
Pressure testing
Integrated programs
An internal corrosion control program is part of
integrity management
The internal corrosion control program should
prevent internal corrosion from occurring, and give
the operator an idea of where and how much
internal corrosion may have occurred
Feedback of the results of integrity inspections to
the internal corrosion control program is essential
to ensure that the program is effective
Summary
An internal corrosion control program
consists of many components, including
monitoring, prevention, maintenance,
mitigation, and integrity assessment.
Each component is necessary to a varying
degree depending on the product being
carried, operating history, operating
conditions, risk, and expected life.
An internal corrosion control program must
be tailored to specific pipeline conditions
Summary
The best solution is to keep the water out of
the pipe
El Paso Corporation
Questions?
El Paso Corporation