Pipeline Corrosion – Can it always be modelled with confidence ?

Elspeth Allen, Andrew Sturgeon

SUT/Hysoc Pipeline Design & Integrity Seminar| 17th June 2015

This document and all information herein are confidential,

and may not be used, reproduced or distributed without
prior authorisation of Genesis Oil and Gas Consultants, Ltd.
Pipeline Corrosion

• LOSS OF PIPELINE INTEGRITY DUE TO CORROSION

• CORROSION MODELLING AND INFLUENCING FACTORS
• COMPARISON OF CORROSION PREDICTION MODELS
• MATERIAL SELECTION
• CASE STUDIES
• CONCLUSIONS

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Pipeline Corrosion
Our concern - Loss of pipeline integrity

Ref. Subsea Pipeline Engineering, Palmer

& King, 2nd Ed, 2008

The main culprits

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Pipeline Corrosion
CO2 Corrosion of Carbon Steel

Ref. Corrosion Threats Handbook,

Energy Institute, 2008

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Pipeline Corrosion
Carbon dioxide (CO2) corrosion of carbon steel

Bottom of line
• Corrosion rate depends on
– Fluid type and liquid velocity
– Amount of acid gas
O2 <10ppb – Pressure / temperature profile
over distance & time
– Water chemistry, bicarbonate and
organic acid
– Inhibitor availability and
effectiveness.
Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 Corrosion Rate of Carbon Steel
• Prediction of corrosion rate
Traditionally based on empirical models, in particular that of de Waard et al models
More recently a trend towards mechanistic models, e.g. Ohio University Multicorp

• Require the presence of free water

Production, condensation

• Calculate a bare steel corrosion rate based on measurable parameters

Water chemistry, pCO2 in vapour, T, pH, V, diameter, flow pattern
Vapour CO2 partial pressure proportional to CO2 in water phase (Henry's Law)

• Also need to consider

Scale protection, oil wetting and water entrainment by oil, glycol / methanol
presence

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Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 Corrosion Rate of Carbon Steel
Effect of CO2 and T

Lower water pH Ref. Paper 02235, NACE Corrosion 2002

Higher water pH

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Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 Corrosion Rate of Carbon Steel -Effect of scale formation

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Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 Corrosion Rate of Carbon Steel - Effect of water entrainment

Liquid velocity > 1.5 m/s

• Water entrainment dDoes not occur
with:
– gas condensate due to the low
specific gravity
– Annular dispersed flow
– Lower liquid velocities < 1.5m/s

40%

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Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 corrosion of carbon steel – Good fit with laboratory data

Corrosion models Ref. Paper 02235, NACE Corrosion 2002

• de Waard & Milliams

• Cassandra
• Hydrocor
• Norsok
• Ohio Model
• Many others
Some are conservative, some are not
Later models include flow, scale & pH factors
Latest models are mechanistic rather than empirical

Carbon steel with corrosion allowance

Total loss (with inhibitor)
< 8mm for pipeline,
< 6mm for piping,
<3mm vessels
Assessment of risks
(Sensitivity to Δ in T, P, CO2 )

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Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 corrosion of carbon steel – Predicted rate depends on model

Six corrosion models compared to selected

field data (IFE data)

• NORSOK M-506
• Hydrocor
• Cassandra
• de Waard model
• Lipucor
• ECE

Normalized corrosion rates (predicted/measured) for

selected field data (Ref. Paper 06118, NACE Corrosion 2006)

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Pipeline Corrosion
When to select carbon steel?

• Virtually all corrosion issues/failures are localized

initiated under non- steady state excursions

• Probably never been a case of failure by uniform

corrosion!

• However, most predictive corrosion models are

based on general or uniform corrosion concepts.

• Don’t ignore existing performance data and experience when it is available

• Uncertainties and a lack of consensus? Consider accelerated laboratory and long term field testing.
Pipeline Corrosion
Modelling CO2 corrosion of carbon steel – Top of line (TOL)

• In most cases TOL corrosion rate less than 0.1mm/yr

• TOL corrosion is a concern at high water condensation rates
• Cold spots or non-insulated sections at inlet side of subsea pipelines
• High inlet temperatures above 80oC aggravated by high CO2 partial
pressures and acetic acid

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Pipeline Corrosion
Corrosion rate prediction for high H2S production fluids

Corrosion of carbon steel

• No models available to accurately predict corrosion

when ratio drops below 500

• Mixed corrosion regime, pCO2/pH2S < 500

FeS – pitting corrosion rate within modelled uniform CRCO2

• H2S corrosion regime, pCO2/pH2S < 500

Steel
– severe localised pitting at 2-3 x CRCO2
– no general corrosion.
Pipeline Corrosion
Materials selection process – When to use carbon steel

Materials Type Fabrication Process

I want to use Carbon Steel ?

What is the corrosion rate ?
Corrosion Threats Installation Method
Can I trust the model ?
Maybe I will opt for CRA or cladding
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Pipeline Corrosion
CRAs & Cladding – A saviour or gold plated solution?

CRA

Steel
CRA clad linepipe

Pipeline material Relative £

Carbon steel (x65) 1
Carbon steel (x65) + SS 316L internal lining 3
Carbon steel (x65) + SS 316L internal clad 5
22% Cr duplex stainless steel 5
Carbon steel (x65) + Ni alloy 625 internal lining 6
Carbon steel (x65) + Ni alloy 625 internal clad 10

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Pipeline Corrosion
An Asset Life Cycle – Materials selection often occurs at Create stage

Create Realise Enhance

Front End Thinking Optimised Engineered Solutions Protected, Maximised Value
• Field Development Planning • FEED • Late Life Operation/Extension
• Concept Definition/Pre-FEED • Detailed Design • Debottlenecking & Brownfield
• Visualisation Studies • Engineering Support Modifications
• Reference Class Forecasting • Project Management Services • Decommissioning & Restoration
• Asset Integrity
Specialist Technical Services

Specialist Capabilities

Proprietary Tools & Processes

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Case Study:: UAE NW Fields Development - Project Scope
Fields Included in the NW Development

Core Reserves

Satah gas reserves (CO2 7%, H2S 1.5%, 120oC)

Hair Dalma & Dalma oil reserves (CO2 4%, H2S 20%, 80oC)

Hair Dalma gas reserves (CO2 9%, H2S 0%, 120oC)

Project Development

Concept Select - Genesis

Further Studies – Genesis (Pipeline Materials)

Pre-Feed – Underway

Feed -- Starting Oil reserves

Gas reserves
Future Gas reserves
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UAE NW Fields Development – Lifecycle Cost Analysis

Possible Materials

Main pipelines
Life Cycle Cost (Relative) • Carbon steel with CA
Gathering Pipeline System • Corrosion inhibitor for H2S corrosion
CS CS + CRA clad • Regular pigging
Pipeline 1 1 3
Pipeline 2 3 8 Other components & equipment
Pipeline 3 2.5 7 • CRA clad carbon steel
Pipeline 4 2 5 • CRA weld overlay
• Solid CRA
• UNS N08904, N08825, N06625

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NW Fields Development – Pipeline material selection

Difficulties in selecting pipeline materials Approach

• Desktop study
• Corrosion assessment and modelling of
corrosion rate conducted, but not reliable – Corrosion assessment & materials selection,
with available models. know the limitations
• Review of historical developments
• For high H2S, no uniform corrosion but – Gulf region, Canada, Caspian Sea
severe pitting corrosion dominates.
• Chemical supplier experience &
recommendations
• Accelerated corrosion testing
– Carbon steel flow loop corrosion studies with
inhibitor (general corrosion & pitting)
• Independent expert review

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Corrosion testing to support carbon steel for high CO2 / H2S production fluids

LPR derived corrosion rates during flow loop test

4.5 bar CO2, 1 bar H2S, 120oC

100 ppm corrosion inhibitor

Flow loop test

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UAE NW Fields Development – Pipeline Materials Recommendations

• Production pipelines are CS plus a corrosion allowance with both batch and continuous inhibitor
injection, and biocide treatment required as part of the pipeline corrosion management plan

• Inhibitor suppliers confirm that effective inhibitors have been developed for fluids up to ~150°C
Used in other regions
Reformulation of the inhibitor system is required for application and supply in the UAE,
particularly with respect to the carrier solvent

• Laboratory testing is necessary to confirm the performance of the reformulated inhibitors. This
testing is being initiated with chemical suppliers

• Pipeline components and process facilities piping and equipment are required to be CRA

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N. Sea Asset - Risk Based Pipeline Operability Assessment

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Operability assessment to determine the suitability of an
infield pipeline system for asset life extension.
Two pipelines were already operating beyond the original
design life of 10 years.

The workscope was run in 3 phases:

I. Pipeline system current condition assessment
II. Corrosion Modelling using Cassandra, ECE and NORSOK
III. Corrosion Risk Assessment and subsequent proposed
updates to Integrity management strategy for pipeline life
extension – short and long term
Corrosion Prediction v Measured data

Measured data

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N. Sea Asset - Risk Based Pipeline Operability Assessment

OUTCOME
Recommendations were made to:
• Determine internal condition of entire pipeline system
• Review and update Chemical injection programme
• Update sampling and monitoring programme
• Post ILI Asset Life Extension study to practicably update the Integrity Management
Strategy, specifically Corrosion and Inspection management activities to meet
extended life required.

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Pipeline Corrosion
In conclusion…

• Can pipeline corrosion be modelled with confidence ? Usually Yes, but…….

– Know the limitations when modelling corrosion
– Corrosion modelling should only be considered as be part of an overall
corrosion risk assessment methodology
– Consider existing corrosion rate data and experience with similar
production fluids when it is available to backup corrosion modelling
– When there is uncertainty consider accelerated corrosion testing to
support corrosion assessment
Thank You

CONTACTS

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