Corrosion Assignment

Submitted To:
Sir Rizwan Latif

Submitted By:
Muhammad Usman shoukat

Registration No:
2014-pet-6

Dated:

19 September, 2017

Department:
Petroleum & Gas Engineering, UET lahore.
 Corrosion in Oil and Gas Wells - Its Causes and Prevention

Overview:
The subject of the paper is to delineate the causes of corrosion, reliable methods
of detections and to emphasis the advantages of protection of the equipment at early stages in
oil and gas wells. The Paper deals with corrosion of iron and steel equipment.
In the presence of corrosive water, the well acts as the self-stimulating galvanic cell where
metal equipment are electrodes and salt water electrolyte results in corrosion of metals. The
inhomogeneous nature of metal give rise to local action and self-corrosion. When compressed
air is passed for lifting or recovery, oxygen present acts as depolarising agent and the
corrosion stimulated. MgCl in salt water, CO2, H2S and oxygen are corrosive agencies.
Damage from Corrosion: It may be outlined briefly as follow
 Destruction of equipment due to corrosive water entry.
 Damage to oil and gas sand
 Development of bad mechanical conditions in hole by:
 Obstruction of hole
 Incrustation of mineral salts and corrosive water.
 Damage to casing/tubing
 Interference in pumping operations or production
Prevention of initial corrosion calls for detection of corrosive conditions and proper methods
of protections and depends on the character of gases and waters. If total hardness of
sample>total alkalinity, then corrosive nature or can also be tested by Palmer Classification.
Corrosive and non-corrosive water are characterised by primary salinity and primary alkalinity
respectively. Two Fluid Action also happens where corrosion is triggered by more diluted
water.
Protection of equipment from outside is usually done by mud-laden fluid method and the
cement shut-off method and from inside by tight casing shut-offs and bottom water jobs. Where
the job fails, successful protection has been maintained by the use of zinc electrodes.