Corrosion Inhibitor

Corrosion in the Oilfield

The production of gas and oil is often accompanied by water, either from the formation, from condensation, or from water injected as lift assist. Acid gases, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2), are often present in produced fluids, and oxygen is sometimes a contaminant in the water used for injection. These acid gases increase the corrosivity of the waters to steel, and can significantly impact the safe operating life of production tubulars and equipment, production vessels, and transportation systems.

Pipelines can experience top-of-line corrosion when conditions promote the rapid condensation of water in a cooler section of the line, causing a film of water to form at the top of the line. This water becomes saturated with acid gases and corrodes the pipe. A further complication is a change in conditions, such as flow rate, temperature, and pressure over the life of a well, production or processing system, or pipeline, which can result in changing corrosivity or even a change in the potential erosion mechanisms.

The presence or absence of multiple phases (gas, water, and oil or condensate) in the same system can complicate the problem of controlling corrosion. The flow regime or pattern of fluids in a tubing string, vessel, or pipeline can have a significant impact on corrosivity. If a well or pipeline experiences "slug" or intermittent flow, highly corrosive conditions may exist in the area of the pipe in slug flow.

RIMPRO Corrosion Inhibitor Range

Controlling erosion in the oilfield can be a complex problem, requiring detailed analysis and a thorough understanding of the range of conditions expected during the life of the system prior to developing an erosion management plan. RIMPRO Corrosion Inhibitor product line consists of a number of formulations — some developed to address specific decomposition problems, and others formulated for wide applicability.

Corrosion inhibitors react with the metal surface to form an impermeable film layer, stopping galvanic corrosion from the reactions of produced oilfield materials with exploration equipment and transporting pipe networks. The organic base or aqueous form works well across high and low temperatures and any kind of environment, improving the performance and efficiency of oilfield machinery with decreased downtime.

Inhibitor Chemistry Types

RIMPRO Corrosion Inhibitor Products