Corrosion problems in the oil country tubular goods and their mitigation – a review

Abstract

Purpose Important reserves of oil and gas, which are left to be discovered and produced, are mainly concentrated in challenging locations and under severe conditions such as high pressure (HP)/high temperature (HT). The presence of aggressive environments including H2S, CO2 and chlorides plus HP/HT causes a series of corrosion problems, which cost the oil industry billions of dollars a year. Thus, there is an increasing challenge for tubes (i.e. oil country tubular goods, for short, OCTG) used in producing oil and gas. The purpose of this study is to summarize different kinds of corrosion problems and their mitigation, to more efficiently protect OCTG from corrosion. Design/methodology/approach To effectively select proper mitigation methods, the mechanism of corrosion must be understood, which can be classified into four categories: sweet corrosion, sour corrosion, galvanic corrosion and microbiologically induced corrosion. Also, the effects of environmental and material factors on the corrosion rate are presented. Subsequently, current technology of mitigating these corrosion problems has been discussed, including the development of materials, application of chemical inhibitors and application of protective layers. Findings It is stressed that limits exist for each individual mitigation method; therefore, a careful balance between economic life of OCTG and safety in operation is required. Originality/value The main purpose of this essay is to give a brief review and detailed introduction and analysis about those technologies.

Films Formed on Carbon Steel in Sweet Environments - A Review

“…Low carbon steels are the most commonly used materials because these are readily available in the market and can meet many of the mechanical, manufacturing and cost requirements. [1][2][3] Despite these advantages, carbon steels have relatively low corrosion resistance and require qualification for use in environments containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and brine. [4][5][6] Corrosion occurs in several different ways, but two types are characteristic of these industries, sweet and sour corrosion.…”

Fluid flow effects on CO2 corrosion: a review of applications of rotating cage methodology

“…In the least costly way possible, the strategy that is usually adopted is based on selection of materials, use of corrosion inhibitors and application of protective layers. Cao et al (2017), in a recent review work, summarise these corrosion mitigation methods. The success of the adopted strategy depends on a general understanding of all the factors that influence CO 2 corrosion (Salama and Brown, 2009).…”

“…There are several publications in the literature addressing the parameters of the produced or condensed water medium that influence the mechanisms underlying the CO 2 corrosion of carbon steel, including the pH (Cao et al , 2017; Papavinasam, 2014b), CO 2 partial pressure (Schmitt, 2015; Papavinasam, 2014c), temperature (Cao et al , 2017; Perez, 2013; Yin et al , 2011), presence of other corrosive gases (Heiderbach, 2011; Murata et al , 1979; Yuan et al , 2014), salt concentration (Han et al , 2011), formation of corrosion products (Barker et al , 2018a; Cao et al , 2017; Schmitt, 2015; Lin et al , 2013) and presence of flow (Olvera-Martínez et al , 2015; Barker et al , 2011). The presence of other corrosive gases at contamination levels, such as oxygen, may also affect these corrosion product scales (Lin et al , 2013).…”

Mechanical Properties of UNS S39274 Superduplex Stainless Steel Work Hardened and Solution Annealed

“…One of the noble applications of UNS S39274 in the petrochemical industry is in seamless pipes for casings and tubullars, also called oil country tubullar goods (OCTG). High pressure and high temperatures (HP/HT) wells with aggressive environments (i.e., high H 2 S and/or CO 2 dissolved gases) are becoming more and more common 6 . Oilfield downhole tubullars were usually made of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels.…”