Worried about corrosion within your operations? If you don't have a robust treatment or prevention program in place, don't wait any longer to develop one. Failure to account for corrosion in the oil and gas industry could seriously jeopardize the effectiveness of the equipment that you're working with, leading to unplanned downtime, lost profits, and increased maintenance and repair costs.
In this post, we'll discuss corrosion inhibitors and how they can help protect your assets. We'll also cover some of the most common types of corrosion that you should be accounting for and why they occur. Read on to learn more or contact Flatirons Chemicals today for more information.
Simply put, corrosion inhibitors are defined as chemicals that work to either reduce or prevent corrosion. Inhibitors are often added in small quantities and work by attaching themselves to pipeline walls to create a protective barrier on metal surfaces. This barrier thereby helps prevent the corrosive elements from attacking the metal and causing it to deteriorate.
Corrosion inhibitors are important because they help protect the equipment that any oilfield needs to produce its product. If the equipment and systems they rely on to operate were to fail and require repair, it often means unplanned downtime - which can be costly when it comes to lost productivity and profits. Corroding equipment can also result in higher maintenance and repair costs, which can impact any company's bottom line.
There are a few different types of corrosion that any oil and gas provider should be aware of and work to prevent. Here's a closer look at localized corrosion and erosion corrosion:
Also known as "pitting corrosion," localized corrosion is when pits from dissolved gasses form on the surface of metals. These pits form when carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulfide are absorbed on the surface of the tube, which thereby leads to the formation of a cathode. In areas where gases aren't absorbed, an anode forms. Electrons then flow from the anode to the cathode in high volumes. As electrons leave the anode, iron is released. The result is a localized loss of metal.
Erosion corrosion is the other major type of corrosion that you need to be aware of in your operations. It's largely the result of multi-phase flow, especially when a drop in pressure causes gases to be released rapidly. As this occurs, the gases expand in volume. Another thing happens when there's a pressure drop - salt crystallizes, leading to deposits forming on nozzles and other equipment components. Crystals and other insoluble particles may also develop in the formation fluid.
Another thing to note about erosion-corrosion is that when this multi-phase flow takes place, many of the protective films that work to prevent corrosion are removed, thereby leaving the metals exposed in these highly corrosive conditions. It requires quick repair of the protective film to prevent tube failure.
A good corrosion treatment plan works to plan, implement, and then monitor oil and gas assets in a preventative manner - and every company should have one in place to minimize the risk of unplanned downtime, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure that operations remain on track. At Flatirons Chemicals, we specialize in working with our clients to set up robust, effective corrosion treatment programs. It's part of the value that we offer as a trusted oilfield services provider.
For more information on how the right corrosion inhibitors can help with asset protection, contact us today. As a leading oilfield services solutions provider, we're here to help with any corrosion treatment programs to ensure that your operations remain ongoing and your equipment remains operational. Contact us today for more information on our programs and the importance of asset protection.