Corrosion

One of the common problems in multiphase flow transmission pipelines

is metal corrosion. Corrosion is defined as the deterioration of material,
usually a metal, due to its reaction with the environment or handling
media. The cause of corrosion can be directly attributed to the impurities
found in the produced gas, as well as the corrosive components that are
by-produced. Because of the nonspecificity of the components produced
from a production well, some or all of these components may be active to
create a corrosive environment in the pipelines. Corrosion in multiphase
systems is a complex phenomenon, including dependency on the partial
pressure, temperature, pH, and concentration of corrosion products.
Consequently, corrosion prediction requires substantial understanding of
the simultaneous interaction of the many process variables that govern
both flow and corrosion conditions.
An important aspect of maintaining pipeline performance is adequate
control of corrosion both internallycaused by the flow components and
their by-productsand externallybecause of pipeline exposure to the
soil and water (Hartt and Chu, 2004). Pipeline corrosion can be inhibited
by several means.
Choice of corrosion-resistant metals, alloys
Injection of corrosion inhibitors
Cathodic protection
External and/or internal protective coatings