A Review of Field Corrosion Control and Monitoring Techniques of the Upstream Oil and Gas Pipelines

Abstract

All steel pipelines used in hydrocarbon transportation are susceptible to either electrolytic or galvanic corrosion attack which deteriorate with time leading to failure even before end of design life. Consequences of corrosion attack and eventual failure of pipelines within oil and gas industry has been classified into economic, health, safety and environmental impacts. The present study considers detailed review of practical field corrosion control and monitoring mechanisms necessary to preserve, extend service life of pipelines and reduce corrosion impacts. The corrosion controls are various preventive strategies considered during construction and prior to pipelines’ commissioning which include design, material selection, protective coating, chemical treatment and cathodic protection system. But the corrosion monitoring strategy is aimed at establishing condition of pipelines and environmental variables that may accelerate corrosion process and this includes potential survey, bacteria count, corrosion coupons and intelligent pigging. The identified corrosion control and monitoring techniques are not governed by any industry code and standard but has been generally accepted as best practice within the oil and gas industry as ways of combating corrosion and evaluating pipelines condition. Therefore, effective implementation of the identified corrosion control and monitoring strategies would limit corrosion attack and guide pipelines’ operators to make informed decision and timely respond to corrosion threat before failures.

Keywords: cathodic protection, corrosion mechanism, control and monitoring, pipelines, oil and gas.