Monitoring and inspection to combat corrosion of pipeline lines in an oil field

Abstract

Corrosion control for oil and gas industry equipment and pipelines is paramount. In order to ensure increased reliability in its production, the oil industry must develop and optimize corrosion monitoring, control and management methods.In this context, our study is carried out at an oil field located in the South of Algeria (field Hassi Berkine (HBNS)) and in order to treat the problem of corrosion occurred on the steels API 5L of grade X60 of pipeline lines transporting petroleum products to the processing center (CPF).The detection of failures caused by corrosion is done by inspection of pipeline lines by non-destructive ultrasonic testing, while corrosion monitoring allows the evaluation of corrosion rate as a function of time. This will allow us to follow the behavior of the steel as well as the evaluation of the performance of the corrosion inhibitors. Ultrasonic techniques have allowed us to perform a complete examination of the pipelines due to the ability to inspect inaccessible areas. The inhibitors used led to the formation of an impermeable organic film preventing metal-water contact and thus reducing the corrosion rate.

We note that the lifespan of the pipes depends on a good continuous monitoring and a rigorous inspection of all the integrity of the pipes and the implementation of safety and protection measures against corrosion such as: corrosion inhibitors, coatings and cathodic protection.